Abstract:
A mass transportation system deploys dual use vehicles that transfer between a primary track and streets via a secondary or switching track. The dual use vehicles have comparable size and weight to ordinary automobiles but are configured to engage the primary track via either the street tires or a co-axially disposed wheel. When engaging the primary track the vehicles travel clustered in pods or groups for higher speed travel than on ordinary roads. The vehicles transfer from the primary track without a significant change in speed by disengaging or engaging the switching track. The switching track selectively drops or removes single vehicles from the pods according to the position of a track engaging support member associated with each vehicle.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]     None  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     This invention relates generally to the field of transportation, and more specifically to a process for Mass transportation System Using Personal Transport Vehicles.  
         [0003]     While travel by train, subway, trolleycars or light rails travel still provides an efficient methods of moving goods and people, the wide spead use of automobiles and buses competes because of the route flexibility and personal freedom it provides.  
         [0004]     However, modern high speed trains can provide fast and efficient movement of people, at speeds over 200 mph.  
         [0005]     High speed trains require a national committment to infrastructure of track, stations, and cars. The schedules are necessarily fixed, as well as the reach or distribution of track, based on cost to potential ridership. Accordingly, rail based mass transit has been viewed as generally not compatible in many suburban areas, particularly those having diverse intersuburb commuting patterns.  
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0006]     The primary object of the invention is to reduce traffic congestion.  
         [0007]     Another object of the invention is to provide for high speed transportation between and within cities.  
         [0008]     Another object of the invention is increase transportation system capacity with minimum capital cost and taking of land for infrastructure.  
         [0009]     A further object is to achieve the benefits of mass transit rail systems for a greater majority of the population, at a reduced cost, while avoiding the loss of freedom it entails as to schedule and the lack of a personal transportation vehicle, or needed personal transportation between stations and terminal destinations.  
         [0010]     Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following descriptions, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein, by way of illustration and example, an embodiment of the present invention is disclosed.  
         [0011]     In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention, there is disclosed a process for Mass transportation System Using Personal Transport Vehicles comprising the steps of providing a Primary Transport track (or Roadway), and a Switching track that connects the primary track with standard roads wherein vehicles enter and leave the primary track via the Switching track without a change in velocity. In another aspect of the invention the track configuration permits the grouping of separable vehicles, in so called pods, on the primary transport track for high speed travel. Pod assembly and disassembly can occur by the selective switching of a single vehicle to or from the switching track without necessarily having to change the pod velocity. To maxamize aerodynamic effiency, the PTV&#39;s can hold positions within Pods by mechanical coupling, magnetic coupling, aerodynamic coupling, distance sensors and computer controlled combinations of these.  
         [0012]     In another aspect the spacing between pods permits the addition of new vehicles to the pod in a controlled sequence.  
         [0013]     In yet another aspect of the invention the vehicle include a standard road wheel and manual steering capability, but also include an actuator controlled system for engaging the switching track such that the primary track engaging wheel or member does not interfere with standard road wheels.  
         [0014]     In another aspect of the invention the vehicles use an elevating mechanism to lift the primary track wheels off the primary track while diverting to the switching track. This can be accomplished by magnetic levitation; mechanical, areodynamic, or air pressure lifting; or combinations of these For example, as a vehicle travels on a primary track or road, it passes over a switching zone that uses magnetic fields to lift and/or shift the vehicle onto the switching track.  
         [0015]     In another aspect of the invention there is provided a process for transporting vehicles on a primary track for travel at a first speed, with a secondary track for switching from primary track to the street, for the grouping of vehicles in spaced apart clusters or pods for travel on the primary track, wherein vehicles within and without these clusters switch to and from the primary track via the secondary track without a significant change in speed, such that the vehicles accelerate or decelerate on the secondary track.  
         [0016]     In yet another aspect of the invention, there is disclosed a process for transporting vehicles, the process comprising, providing a primary track/roadway for travel at a first speed; providing a secondary track/roadway for switching from primary track to the street; wherein each vehicle has its own means or mechanisim, that may be coordinated with a means or a mechanisim located at the switching area of the primary track/roadway, for disengaging from the primary track to the secondary track (or visa versa) by using a change in elevation to shift the primary wheels from the primary track to the secondary track without a significant change in speed, such that a vehicle directly behind the switching vehicle is not significantly slowed in its progress on the primary track 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0017]     The drawings constitute a part of this specification and include exemplary embodiments to the invention, which may be embodied in various forms. It is to be understood that in some instances various aspects of the invention may be shown exaggerated or enlarged to facilitate an understanding of the invention.  
         [0018]      FIG. 1  is a schematic diagram illustrating the operation of a portion of the invention.  
         [0019]      FIG. 2  is an elevational view of the invention.  
         [0020]      FIGS. 3A-3B  is an elevation of the primary track and switching track  
         [0021]      FIG. 3C  is a plan view of the system in  FIG. 3 .  
         [0022]      FIG. 4A , B and C are cross sections of the vehicle and switching track engaging features associated with  FIG. 3  view of the invention.  
         [0023]      FIG. 5  is a cross sectional view of an alternative vehicle.  
         [0024]      FIG. 6  is a cross sectional view view of an alternative vehicle.  
         [0025]      FIG. 7  is a schematic block diagram of the automotive control system as used in the sequence of switching the vehicle.  
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0026]     Detailed descriptions of the preferred embodiment are provided herein. It is to be understood, however, that the present invention may be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specific details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but rather as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to employ the present invention in virtually any appropriately detailed system, structure or manner.  
         [0027]     In accordance with the present invention,  FIG. 1  shows key functional elements of a mass transportation system  100  illustrated in plan view. Vehicles travel from left to right on a first primary track  110  under automated control. Vehicles enter the primary track  110  from ordinary streets or highways  50  under manual control, that is power, breaking and steering functions are under the drivers control, by first entering a secondary or switching track  121 . Likewise, vehicles exit the primary track  110  by first entering secondary or switching track  120 , and decelerate, returning to manual control before entering street or highway  50 . As the primary and secondary tracks may confine the vehicles lateral movement steering is not necessarily required on the tracks.  
         [0028]     In accordance with an important feature of the present invention,  FIG. 2  is an elevation corresponding to the plan view in  FIG. 1  showing multiple vehicle, the left most vehicle being  250 . A first group of vehicles  210  is led by vehicle  259  and is traveling via a power system on the vehicle that turns track engaging wheels. A second group  200  follows the first group, the second group led by vehicle  254 . The groupings will be referred to as pods. The vehicles in the pods are in very close proximity but are controlled to the same speed to maintain pod integrity and avoid collision with each other and vehicles in other pods, The pods are spaced apart to leave room for vehicles to enter the primary track and then join a pod. The optimum spacing between pods takes into account the intended pod velocity, lengths of the secondary track  121  in order to have the entering vehicle reach a sufficient speed to engage the primary track and then join the front or the rear pod or the back of front pod in a control sequence. Optimum switching without a change in pod velocity can occur when the secondary track follows a topography that is out of plane or out of line of travel of other vehicles that define the pod. As will be illustrated in  FIG. 3 , vehicles have an alternative drive wheel or related track engaging feature that is selectively activated to switch from the primary track to the secondary track. The secondary track can be a passive switching element, in that the selective transfer of vehicles between the primary track and secondary track depends on the state of the vehicle, specifically, the vehicles mechanical or electrical actuation of a switching mechanism on the vehicle.  
         [0029]     Turning to  FIGS. 3 and 4 , further details of operational features of the vehicles deployed in travel and switching from primary track to secondary track and the reverse are now illustrated.  
         [0030]      FIG. 3  shows vehicle  351  in pod  200  at the transition for switching from primary track  110  to secondary track  120 .  
         [0031]     It should be understood that the following discussions of mechanisms for engaging a single wheel can also equally apply to another wheel on the opposite side of the drive axle, and generally applies to each pair of tires and wheels on both the front and rear axle of the vehicle. It will be appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art that the same mechanism is also applicable to multi-axle vehicles, as well as to a vehicle that rides on a single tire, that is in front or back of an axle having a right and left tire. In addition, while the vehicle may ride on three tires on the road, the vehicle wheel may be configured to ride on four rail engaging wheels when on the primary or secondary track.  
         [0032]     Turning to FIGS.  4  we illustrate one mode of track switching.  FIGS. 4A and 4B  are elevated cross-section through the vehicle  352  at reference A-A′, in  FIG. 3 . In  FIG. 4A , the secondary track  120  has spaced apart rails  420   a  and  420   b  that are outside rail pair  410  of the primary track  110 . The vehicle  352  having a front and rear axial, at least one being driven by the vehicles power system, such the track engaging wheels  411   a  and  411   b  mounted thereon turn to propel the vehicle forward in the direction of the track. Track engaging wheels  411   a  and  411   b  are disposed co-axially with respect to tires  440   a  and  44   b , being laterally disposed inward therefrom so as not to hinder street travel. As shown in more detail in  FIG. 4B , the secondary track engaging wheel  430   a  and  430   b  are co-axial with the tires and track engaging wheels, being normally integrated into the tire structure, which includes a an actuator  470 . Note that a depression is provided between the primary track and secondary track for clearance of the tires during transit.  
         [0033]     Thus  FIGS. 4A and 4B  shows that track wheels  411   a  and  411   b  engage opposite rails  410   a  and  410   b  of the primary track  120 . Track wheel  410   a  and  410   b  are mounted to a common drive axle  460  with tires  451   a  and  451   b . While wheel pairs  411  and  421  remained fixed with respect to axle  460  of vehicle  350 , the third set of wheels  430   a  and  430   b  extend outward when activated for switching in order to engage opposite rails secondary  420   a  and  420   b  of secondary track  120 .  
         [0034]     As shown in the elevation in  FIG. 3 , secondary track  120  undergoes an elevation change with respect to primary track  110 , causing track wheel  411  to disengage the primary track  110  as the third set of wheels engage rails  420  of secondary track  120 . The course of track  120  as defined by rail pair  420   a/b  extended upward to provide sufficient physical clearance of both the vehicle and secondary rail pair  420  such that the vehicle is conveyed under either its power or momentum away from the other vehicles in the pod without a significant change in velocity. Thus at reference C-C′ in  FIG. 3 , vehicle  351  is above vehicles on the primary track, per  FIG. 4C . Thus vehicle  351  then deccelerates on the secondary track section  120  that leads to the street. Such a secondary track generally terminates at an elevation above the street allowing the vehicles tires  4551   a/b  to contact the overlapping roadway section before entering ordinary streets. Thus, the vehicles own braking system control is optionally returned to control the vehicles speed to normally driving conditions. Likewise steering and speed control are returned at approximately the same time as a normal automobile. Thus, when the vehicle tires are able to engage and turn with sufficient traction on the street the actuator or termination of the secondary track releases the vehicle therefrom. The third wheel set used for switching can then be returned to the unactivated position inside the tire well.  
         [0035]     As shown in  FIG. 1 , the street or highway  50  or  50 ′ that connects to the secondary tracks  121  and  120  may run perpendicular, parallel, under or above primary track. Further, at least a part of the secondary track, being an isolated section roadway, may run perpendicular, parallel, under or above primary track until cars reach the lower speed of the traffic they will enter. It should be appreciated that secondary track need not require more space than conventional freeway on or off ramps, other than space for acomodating velocity changes.  
         [0036]      FIGS. 5 and 6  are examples of vehicles showing the components that engage the secondary track, and the topography of the secondary track with respect to the primary track.  
         [0037]     In  FIG. 5 , secondary track engaging wheels  521   a  and  521   b  extending laterally from the sides of the vehicle  550  on hinged brackets  571  and  571   b  respectively. Note that the secondary track is outside and above of primary track being defined by rails  521   a  and  521   b . Track rails  521   a  and  52   b , are raised above the primary track on supports  520   a  and  520   b  respectively  
         [0038]     In  FIG. 6 , secondary track  620  is above the vehicle  650  disposed on the lower side of tower  690  which straddles the vehicles. In this embodiment, the secondary track  620  has a narrower gauge or spacing than primary track defined by rails  410   a  and  410   b , and thus suspends the vehicle therefrom on engagement of wheels  623   a  and  623   b  with track  620 . Wheels  623   a  and b are mounted on respective axials  622   a  and  622   b  which pivot out from the vehicle at hinge  624   a  and  624   b.    
         [0039]     Alternatively, Wheels  624   a  and  624   b  are optionaly part of secondary track, rather than the vehicle, as vehicle may have a retracting bracket section (not shown) for engaging with rollers on the secondary track secondary track supporting member need not be continuous, as in a tunnel, but may be series of discrete towers.  
         [0040]     It should be appreciated that many alternative configurations for locating, storing and actuating the secondary track engaging rails will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of the disclosure, for example the direction of transport during engagement can be, outward, up/down, as well as in concentric alignment with the tires and primary track  
         [0041]     It should be appreciated that many alternative configurations propulsion power and drive system will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of the disclosure. As such it should be understood that the vehicles propulsion system need not be limited to the examples. For example, in addition to using the same power train and engine as for street travel, the vehicle may utilize electric power from track/system with an auxilary electric motor, or the electric motor of a hybrid vehicle, or the vehicle may be only operate under electric power on the tracks and street.  
         [0042]     In alternative embodiments the primary track includes electric power bus for electric motor on vehicle or recharging a battery on vehicle  
         [0043]     It should be appreciated that many alternative configurations of the track topography and vehicle wheel system will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of the disclosure. As such it should be understood that the that the tracks and track engaging wheels need not be limited to the examples. Further, the same drive tires can be used on both the street and at least one of the primary and secondary track. The track can be configured as a channel to accept a tire with rolling bumpers for lateral confinement, or a central groove in the tire for mating with a corresponding feature in the rail or track system.  
         [0044]      FIG. 7  is a schematic block diagram of the automotive control system as used in the sequence of switching the vehicle, showing the changes in relative speed in moving from street travel  710 , to secondary rail track  720 , accelerating before entering onto the primary rail  730 . The on reaching near a final destination entering the exit portion of a secondary track  740  for de-acceleration before entering the final stage of street travel  750 . The vehicle transfer to automatic control on the secondary track in stage  720  before entering the primary track  730 . The vehicle transfers back to manual control on exiting secondary track  740  before reaching the interface of street  750  and secondary track  740 . Switching or activation of the third wheels or member that engages the secondary track can be manual or automated, using GPS positioning, track based transponder, or other communication devices disposed in main track  750 . The control system optimally synchronizes all pods and rearranges vehicles to compresses pods as other vehicle leave the primary track produce wider gaps between vehicles as it can vary the speed of each vehicle in a pod or all vehicles in a pod, or all vehicles in different pods by different amounts.  
         [0045]     It should be further appreciated that the system and vehicles disclosed therein may also comprise toys, amusement park rides, gondolas, chair lifts, as well as automobiles.  
         [0046]     While the invention has been described in connection with a preferred embodiment, it is not intended to limit the scope of the invention to the particular form set forth, but on the contrary, it is intended to cover such alternatives, modifications, and equivalents as may be included within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.