Patent Description:
Magnetically suspended vehicles are available for a longer time, for example between Shanghai Pu Dong Airport and the Pu Dong suburb of Shanghai. The carriages are suspended on the track by means of a magnetic force. The carriages are guided by a single rail, provided with linear motors on either side that interact with magnets provided at the bottom of the carriages. For switching tracks, mechanic switches are provided that make a mechanical movement between two track segments for defining a trajectory for the vehicles.

<CIT> discloses an electromagnetic induction suspension and horizontal switching system for a vehicle on a substantially planar guideway that provides vertical lift and stability and lateral stability for a vehicle. The system provides inherent vertical lift, as well as vertical and lateral stability, including pitch, yaw and roll stability. the suspension and stabilization system of the present invention allows electronic, horizontal switching between multiple substantially planar guideways such as a mainline guideway and a secondary guideway, which may be accomplished at speeds over <NUM>. Proximal to and within a switching area at the intersection of the mainline guideway and the secondary guideway, the respective lift and stability systems for each guideway coexist and may be switched on or off. Depending on the path chosen for the vehicle.

It is preferred to provide a switch for a magnetically suspended vehicle that does not require moving parts of the switch in the track for effectuating the switching functionality from a first track segment to one of two or more track segments.

A first aspect provides a switch for a track for guiding transportation of a magnetically suspended and/or magnetically guided vehicle along the track. The switch comprises a first elongate track segment, a second elongate track segment and a third elongate track segment. The switch further comprises a track selection module for selecting between a first guidance mode in which the vehicle is guided from the first track segment to the second track segment and a second guidance mode in which the vehicle is guided from the first track segment to the third track segment. In the switch, the track segments comprise a ferromagnetic material; and the track selection module comprises a first elongate electrical conductor having first conductor segments that are arranged to guide a current through the conductor with a directional component substantially parallel the length of the track located at a first surface at a vehicle side of the track which first conductor segments have a directional component parallel to the length of the track segments.

In conventional magnetic levitation trains, the windings provided at the ferromagnetic rail are substantially perpendicular to the intended direction of movement for propelling carriages by means of the Lorentz force, perpendicular to the current through the conductors and perpendicular to a magnetic field. By providing conductors parallel to the length of the track, a sideway movement may be effectuated, by means of which the switching functionality may be provided.

In an embodiment, the first conductor comprises second conductor segments located away from the first surface and the first conductor segments and the second conductor segments of the first conductor are alternated.

This embodiment allows a continuous conductor to be used for implementing this aspect; by having the conductor meander from on the surface, where it is arranged to interact with magnets of a carriage guided by the track, to off the surface, where it does not interact with or interacts much less with the magnets of the carriage, a practical implementation can be provided.

In another embodiment, the second conductor segments of the first conductor are located in substantially the same plane as the first surface, at a distance from the first track segment at a first side of the first track segment.

This embodiment mitigates the need for perforating the track segment to lead the conductor away from the first surface. And if the second conductor segments are provided away from the track segment, no ferromagnetic material is in the direct vicinity of the second conductor segments for providing a strong magnetic field.

A further embodiment of the switch comprises a second elongate conductor alternately comprising first conductor segments and second conductor segments. In this embodiment, the first conductor segments of the second conductor are provided at the first surface, the first conductor segment having a directional component parallel to the length of the track segments and the second conductor segments of the second conductor are located away from the first surface and the second conductor segments of the first conductor. This embodiment provides redundancy.

In again another embodiment, the first conductor continues from first track segment to second track segment and second conductor continues from first track segment to third track segment.

This allows for continued guidance and control and, optionally, propulsion of a carriage along the track and the switch, including providing the switching action. It is noted the first conductor and the second conductor are not necessarily to be considered as one physical conductor, but as a functional conductor that may be comprise multiple physical conductor modules that may be jointly or separately controlled. Yet, the conductor modules are together controlled as one functional conductor providing control to guidance of the carriage and for switching the trajectory of the carriage to the second track segment or the third track segment - or from the third or second track segment to the first track segment. It may even be envisaged the second conductor in not available on the first track segment, but only on the third track segment.

In again a further embodiment, the first conductor and the second conductor comprise third conductor segments for connecting the first conductor segments to the second conductor segments, the first conductor segments are substantially parallel to the length of the track segments; and the third conductor segments are substantially perpendicular to the length of the track segments. The third track segments may be controlled for propelling a carriage along the track.

In yet another embodiment, the first conductor further comprises second conductor segments provided at the first surface, the second conductor segments having a directional component substantially parallel to the first conductor segments and arranged to direct the current through the conductor in a direction substantially opposite to direction of the current through the first conductor segment.

This embodiment preferably works in conjunction with a carriage with a magnet having two or three poles spaces apart such that a first pole is arranged to interact with the first conductor segment and the second pole, of polarity opposite to that of the first pole, is arranged to interact with the second conductor segment.

In yet a further embodiment the first conductor comprises a multitude of loops, the first conductor segments are provided between the loops; and the second conductor segment are provided as part of the loops.

This embodiment provides an example of a practical implementation of this embodiment.

In another embodiment, the second track segment and the third track segment are connected to the first track segment in extension of the first track segment, the second track segment and the third track segment diverge and the first conductor segments and the second conductor segments are provided on the first track segment. Such switch is able to provide fast switching action, while the carriage has a significant speed.

A second aspect provides a transportation system for guiding a magnetically suspended and/or magnetically guided vehicle comprising a substantially closed conduit arranged to be brought at a pressure of less than <NUM> bar; and a track provided in the conduit, the track comprising a switch according to the first aspect.

A third aspect provides a vehicle arranged for transport along a track comprising a switch according to the first aspect, the vehicle being defined according to claim <NUM>.

The various aspects and embodiment will now be discussed in further detail in conjunction with drawings. In the drawings,.

<FIG> shows a carriage <NUM> comprising a payload module <NUM> for carrying goods, people or a combination thereof. The carriage <NUM> is suspended from a first track segment <NUM> comprising a first rail <NUM> and a second rail <NUM>'. The first rail <NUM> and the second rail <NUM>' comprise ferromagnetic material and preferably predominantly comprise iron, for example in the form of steel having iron as a majority ingredient. In this embodiment, the first track segment <NUM> comprises two rails, though embodiments comprising one or more than two rails may be envisaged as well.

In the embodiments shown in most of the description, the tracks or track segments comprise two parallel rails, each with its own one or more windings - or conductors - for exciting an electromagnetic force. In other embodiments, the tracks or track segments may comprise one rail only along which the vehicle or carriage is guided. Alternatively, a track may comprise more than two rails. Of these three or more rails, one or more may be provided without windings - preferably in a symmetrical way. In one other embodiment, one main rail may be provided with the track, with two parallel conductors provided as sub-rails on the main rail for guiding the vehicle. Referring to the embodiment as depicted by <FIG>, this may main that the first rail <NUM> and the second rail <NUM>' are provided as part of one larger rail, for example a centre rail.

At the top of the carriage <NUM>, magnetic suspension modules <NUM> are connected to the payload module <NUM> by means of a frame. In this embodiment, a magnetic suspension module <NUM> is provided at each corner of the carriage <NUM>. Each magnetic suspension module <NUM> comprises at least one and preferably two electromagnets <NUM>. The electromagnet <NUM> comprises a core <NUM> around which a first coil <NUM> and a second coil <NUM> are provided. The coils are arranged to be powered by means of an electric current. With a current running through one or both coils, the electromagnet <NUM> is powered for providing a suspension force for suspending the carriage <NUM> from the first track segment by means of a magnetic force.

The core <NUM> of the electromagnet <NUM> is curved over an angle of <NUM>°, such that both poles are substantially in the same plane. Depending on how the first coil <NUM> and the second coil <NUM> are provided with a current, the end of the core <NUM> around which the first coil <NUM> is provided may be a north pole or a south pole. The end of the core <NUM> around which the second coil <NUM> is provided will have a polarity opposite to that of the first end.

The electromagnet <NUM> is shown having a U-shape with coils wound around both legs. With respect to the electromagnets, different shapes may be used.

In another embodiment, an electromagnet is provided having an e-shaped core with the legs directed towards the track. Of the legs, one, two or three may be provided with windings for providing an electromagnetic field. Due care is in such embodiment to be taken that the windings are provided and powered such that the summed magnetic field in the outer legs has a magnitude of the magnetic field in the middle leg. Preferably, the magnetic field in the outer legs is the same for each leg.

<FIG> shows the first rail <NUM> in further detail. The first rail comprises a first conductor <NUM> running substantially parallel along the first rail <NUM> and provided in a body <NUM> of the first rail. The first conductor comprises first conductor segments <NUM> and second conductor segments <NUM>. The first conductor segments <NUM> and second conductor segments <NUM> have substantially the same length. Furthermore, in one embodiment and the embodiment shown in particular, the first conductor segments <NUM> and the second conductor segments <NUM> have a length substantially the same as the length of the core <NUM>, as shown by <FIG>.

The first conductor segments <NUM> and the second conductor segments <NUM> are provided at one and the same side of the body <NUM>. In this embodiment, the carriage <NUM> is suspended below the track by means of an electromagnetic force exerted by the electromagnets <NUM> provided on the carriage. The first conductor segments <NUM> and the second conductor segments <NUM> are provided for adjusting the position of the electromagnets <NUM> and with that, of the carriage <NUM>, relative to the track in a direction perpendicular to the direction of the track, in the plane of the track. To this purpose, the first conductor segments <NUM> and the second conductor segments <NUM> are provided at the bottom surface of the rail body <NUM>, at the surface facing the electromagnets <NUM>. At the surface may indicate that the first conductor segments <NUM> and the second conductor segments <NUM> lie on top of the surface or are fully or partially embedded in the surface.

The first conductor segments <NUM> and the second conductor segments <NUM> are arranged such that with a current being provided through the first conductor <NUM>, the current through the first conductor segments <NUM> is - from a spatial point of view - opposite to the current through the second conductor segments <NUM>. To achieve this, the first conductor <NUM> is provided in the body <NUM> in loops. The second conductor segments <NUM> are provided in the loops and the first conductor segments <NUM> are provided between the loops.

The first conductor segments <NUM> and the second conductor segments <NUM> are spaced apart such that the distance between the ends of the core <NUM> and in particular the centres thereof is substantially the same as the distance between the first conductor segment <NUM> and the second conductor segment <NUM> and in particular the centres thereof. In this way, if the pole with the first coil <NUM> is located at a first conductor segment <NUM>, the pole with the second coil <NUM> is located at a second conductor segment <NUM>. And if the pole with the first coil <NUM> is located at a second conductor segment <NUM>, the pole with the second coil <NUM> is located at a first conductor segment <NUM>. Worded differently, the spatial periodicity of the first conductor <NUM> corresponds to the distance between the poles of the electromagnet. The distance between the poles does not define the period: the actual period L is longer and runs from the start of one first conductor segment <NUM> to the start of a directly adjacent first conductor segment <NUM>.

<FIG> shows an isometric view of the first rail <NUM>, showing a multitude of conductors <NUM> in parallel. In this particular embodiment, the various line segments of the conductors <NUM> are aligned. <FIG> also shows third conductor segments <NUM> of which distal parts are connected to distal parts of the second segments <NUM> and proximal parts are connected to distal parts of the first conductor segments <NUM>. Furthermore, <FIG> shows fourth conductor segments <NUM> of which distal parts are connected to proximal parts of the first segments <NUM> and proximal parts are connected to proximal parts of the second conductor segments <NUM>. In this way, loops are constituted in the conductors <NUM>.

The third conductor segments <NUM> and the fourth conductor segments <NUM> are provided at a surface of the rail body <NUM> that is opposite to the side at which the first conductor segments <NUM> and the second conductor segments <NUM> are provided.

As discussed, the rail <NUM> of the first track segment <NUM> thus provided is arranged to provide a force to the electromagnet <NUM>, thus resulting in a movement of the carriage <NUM> relative to the track in a direction perpendicular to the direction of the track, in the plane of the track. This force, the Lorentz Force, is proportional to the outer product of the current vector and the magnetic field. With the magnetic field at the interface of the rail body <NUM> and the first conductor segments on one hand and the poles of the electromagnet <NUM> on the other hand being substantially perpendicular to one another, the Lorentz force is, with <FIG> as reference, in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the image.

<FIG> shows a first graph <NUM> indicating the current through the first conductor <NUM> as a function of the position of a reference point on the electromagnet <NUM> relative to the first conductor <NUM>. In this embodiment, the carriage <NUM> travels along the first track segment <NUM> with a speed υ, having a component υpar parallel to the first rail <NUM> and parallel to the first conductor <NUM> having a spatial periodicity L. To ensure smooth movement of the carriage <NUM> relative to the first track segment, the current in the first conductor <NUM> is to be an alternating current. This is important, as each conductor segment is firstly passed by a first pole of the electromagnet <NUM> having a first polarity and subsequently by a second pole of the electromagnet <NUM> having a second opposite polarity. If the current through the first conductor would not alternate, alternating (electromechanical) Lorentz force would be applied to the carriage, with a uncomfortable ride of the passengers as a consequence.

To ensure smooth movement, the frequency of the alternating current I through the first conductor <NUM> is dependent on the speed of the carriage relative to the first rail <NUM>. Preferably, the current is provided as follows: <MAT>.

<FIG> shows a switch <NUM> for switching direction of travel of the carriage <NUM> from a first track segment <NUM> to either a second track segment <NUM> or a third track segment <NUM>. The carriage <NUM> is propelled along a track comprising the first track segment <NUM>, the second track segment <NUM> and the third track segment <NUM>. This may be effectuated by means of a further conductor winding provided along the rails of the track. At the junction between the first track segment <NUM> on one hand and the second track segment <NUM> and the third track segment <NUM> on the other hand, a first switching rail <NUM> and a second switching rail <NUM>' are provided in the track, in parallel to one another. If the track is constituted by means of only one rail, only one switching rail is provided.

The first switching rail <NUM> and the second switching rail <NUM>' comprising a multitude of conductors as depicted by <FIG>. the conductors of the first switching rail <NUM> and the second switching rail <NUM>' are powered as discussed above in conjunction with <FIG>. By virtue of powering the conductors <NUM> in the first switching rail <NUM> and the second switching rail <NUM>', the carriage <NUM> is moved to the left of the first track segment <NUM> or to the right of the first track segment <NUM>, depending on what direction the current flows at the moment a particular pole passes a particular segment of the conductor <NUM> provided at a surface of the switching rail <NUM> and the second switching rail <NUM>' facing the electromagnet <NUM> of the carriage <NUM>.

With the switch <NUM>, the second track segment <NUM> overlaps the third track segment <NUM>. More in particular, the left rail of the second track segment <NUM> overlaps with the right rail of the third track segment <NUM>. The switch is operated such that edges of the carriage <NUM> are moved to the left or to the rights side of the first switching rail <NUM> and the second switching rail <NUM>'. Once at the intended side, the carriage <NUM> is controlled to deep the carriage <NUM> at the intended side of the first switching rail <NUM> and the second switching rail <NUM>' to follow its course from the first track segment <NUM> to either the second track segment <NUM> or the third track segment <NUM>.

<FIG> shows another switch <NUM>, providing switching functionality from a first track segment <NUM> to either a second track segment <NUM> or a third track segment <NUM> in which the second track segment <NUM> does not overlap with the third track segment. In the switch <NUM>, a switching block <NUM> is provided having conductors <NUM> arranged thereon as depicted by <FIG>. During travelling of the carriage <NUM> along the switching block <NUM>, the conductors <NUM> are powered by a current as discussed above to enable a sideway movement of the carriage relative to the switching block <NUM> if the carriage <NUM> is to continue traveling along the track via the third track segment <NUM>. If, on the other hand, the carriage <NUM> is to continue along the track via the second track segment <NUM>, the conductors <NUM> are preferably not powered to enable the carriage <NUM> to continue in a substantially straight line.

So far, a one-phase system has been discussed for providing a force to enable the carriage <NUM> to switch track segments. <FIG> shows a further switching segment <NUM> arranged to be powered by a three-phase current. The switching segment <NUM> comprises groups of three conductors, a first phase conductor <NUM>, a second phase conductor <NUM>' and a third phase conductor <NUM>". In this embodiment, the three phase conductors are shifted relative to one another by a sixth of a spatial period of the windings. In another embodiment, the three phase conductors are shifted relative to one another by a third of a spatial period of the windings. In the latter embodiment, the phases of the switching currents through the conductors are skewed by a third of a period. In the first embodiment, the phases of the switching currents through the conductors are skewed by a sixth of a period.

<FIG> shows another embodiment of a rail segment <NUM> arranged to enable the carriage <NUM> to switch from one track segment to another track segment. The rail segment <NUM> comprises a rail body <NUM>. At one surface of the rail body <NUM>, either fully or partially embedded at the surface or on the surface, a first conductor <NUM> and a second conductor <NUM>' are provided. The first conductor <NUM> and the second conductor <NUM>' are preferably provided in one plane that substantially coincides with the surface at which the conductors are provided. Relative to the electromagnets provided on the carriage <NUM>, this is the surface of the rail body <NUM> that faces the carriage.

The first conductor <NUM> and the second conductor <NUM>' have a meandering shape, with first segments <NUM> of the first conductor <NUM> and first segments <NUM>' of the second conductor <NUM>' provided at the surface of the rail body <NUM> and second segments <NUM> of the first conductor <NUM> and second segments <NUM>' of the second conductor <NUM>' being provided away from the rail body <NUM>. With the rail body <NUM> predominantly comprising a ferromagnetic metal like iron, as discussed before, only the field generated by the first conductor segments benefits from the ferromagnetic characteristics of the rail body <NUM>.

<FIG> also shows the electromagnet <NUM>. With the position of the electromagnet <NUM> as depicted by <FIG>, the pole surrounded by the second coil <NUM> is under the influence of the first conductor segment <NUM> of the first conductor <NUM> and of the first conductor segment <NUM>' of the second conductor <NUM>'. As the second segments <NUM> of the first conductor <NUM> and the second segments <NUM>' of the second conductor <NUM>' are located away from the ferromagnetic rail body <NUM>, the influence of the magnetic field generated by these second conductor segments <NUM> on the pole with the first coil <NUM> is negligible relative to the effect of the magnetic field generated by the first conductor segments <NUM>.

With the first coil <NUM> and the second coil <NUM> being provided with a direct current, the first conductor <NUM> and the second conductor <NUM>' are preferably provided with an alternating current. The frequency of the alternating current is calculated in the same way as discussed above: <MAT>.

Depending on the direction of the current through the conductors - from left to right or opposite -, a force to the left or the right - in the drawing: up or down - is exerted on the electromagnet <NUM> and therefore on the carriage <NUM>. The force exerted is the Lorentz force and can be calculated accordingly. That is, if the centre of the core <NUM> coincides with centres of the first conductor segments.

<FIG> shows the position of the electromagnet <NUM> slightly shifted relative to the conductor segments. In the configuration as depicted by <FIG>, poles of the electromagnet are positioned at the third conductor segments <NUM> of the first conductor <NUM> and third conductor segments <NUM>' of the second conductor <NUM>'. At this position, the current in the conductors flows perpendicular to the length of the track segment and the traveling direction of the carriage <NUM>. And provided current flows in the first conductor <NUM> and the second conductor <NUM>' in the same direction along the track, the currents in the first conductor <NUM> and the second conductor <NUM>' are now at the locations of the poles flowing in opposite directions. This may result in unwanted electromechanical effects. Two option are available to address this effect.

Firstly, the current signals are provided in accordance with the formula provided above. This means that if centres of the poles coincide with the third track segments, the current through the conductors is zero. Second, if the position of a centre of a pole coincides with the third conductor segments, the currents in the third conductor segments <NUM> of the first conductor <NUM> and third conductor segments <NUM>' of the second conductor <NUM>' are provided such that they are provided in the same direction. As an effect, they exert a force on the electromagnet <NUM> and hence, on the carriage <NUM> in a direction substantially parallel to the travelling direction of the carriage <NUM> and/or the length of the track - either in the direction of travel or opposite thereto.

By virtue of this effect, the embodiment of the rail segment as shown by <FIG> and <FIG> may be used for switching functionality as well as for propulsion functionality. This, in turn, means that no further windings are required on the rails for propelling the carriage <NUM> along the track. It is noted that this embodiment required control of the currents different from control as provided by means of the formula provided above.

<FIG> shows a switch <NUM> provided in a track for the carriage <NUM>. The switch <NUM> is provided for switching direction of the carriage <NUM> from a first track segment <NUM> to one of a second track segment <NUM> and a third track segment <NUM>. The first track segment <NUM> comprises a first rail <NUM> and a second rail <NUM>', the second track segment <NUM> comprises a first rail <NUM> and a second rail <NUM>' and the third track segment <NUM> comprises a first rail <NUM> and a second rail <NUM>'.

On the first rail <NUM> of the first track segment <NUM>, the first conductor <NUM> and the second conductor <NUM>' are provided. In an equivalent way, the second rail <NUM>' of the first track segment <NUM> is provided with a third conductor <NUM>" and a fourth conductor <NUM>"'. The first conductor <NUM> continues from the first rail <NUM> of the first track segment <NUM> to the first rail <NUM> of the second track segment. The second conductor <NUM>' continues from the first rail <NUM> of the first track segment <NUM> to the first rail <NUM> of the third track segment <NUM>. The third conductor <NUM>" continues from the second rail <NUM>' of the first track segment <NUM> to the second rail <NUM>' of the second track segment <NUM>. And the fourth conductor <NUM>‴ continues from the second rail <NUM>' of the first track segment <NUM> to the second rail <NUM>' of the third track segment <NUM>.

It is noted that in this, but also in other embodiment, the conductors are not necessarily one physical conductor. Additionally or alternatively, the conductors may be provided by means of multiple modules, either connected by means of, for example, ohmic contacts, or electrically isolated. Yet, it is preferred the conductor modules form one functional conductor that is arranged to provide the switching functionality as discussed above.

<FIG> shows yet another embodiment of a switching module <NUM> that may be incorporated in a switch. Rather than the conductors <NUM> being intermittently provided at the interface surface of the module body <NUM> at the interface with the electromagnet <NUM>, the conductors <NUM> are provided at the surface in a continuous fashion, substantially parallel to the length of the track and the intended direction of the carriage <NUM>. This requires an orientation of the electromagnet <NUM> relative to the track different than depicted in <FIG>. This is depicted in <FIG>.

Rather than the poles being provided in a line substantially parallel to the track length and the intended direction of movement, the poles are provided on a line substantially perpendicular to the track length and the intended direction of movement. <FIG> shows this in further detail, in a top view from the carriage <NUM> and a first track segment <NUM>. For position control of the carriage <NUM> relative to the track, magnetic suspension modules <NUM> are provided at each corner of the payload module by means of a frame <NUM>. Each magnetic suspension module <NUM> comprises at least one and preferably two electromagnets <NUM>. If the magnetic suspension module <NUM> comprises two electromagnets <NUM>, they are slightly skewed relatively to one another in over the line through the two poles. The electromagnet <NUM> comprises a core <NUM> around which a first coil <NUM> and a second coil <NUM> are provided. The coils are arranged to be powered by means of an electric current. With a current running through one or both coils, the electromagnet <NUM> is powered.

Also from a control point of view, the embodiment shown by <FIG> requires the conductors to be powered in another way. In the embodiment shown by <FIG> and <FIG> a substantially constant sine shape current signal is to be provided - provided the carriage travels at continuous forward velocity. For the amount of sideway movement, only the intensity of the current is to be controlled. On the other hand, the configuration as shown by <FIG> requires switching of currents per conductors, at a frequency depending on the transversal movement speed of the carriage <NUM> relative to the switching module <NUM> as shown by <FIG>.

As discussed, the embodiments discussed above may be combined with additional windings that are provided for propulsion of the carriage <NUM>. Such windings comprise first segments provided at the carriage interface surface of the rail or the rails of the track, substantially perpendicular to the length of the track. These first windings are connected by means of second segments that may be provided parallel to the length of the rails and that are provided away from the rails to ensure the magnetic field induced by the second segments is significantly less than the magnetic induced by the first segments. Such windings may be provided in single mode, in three-phase mode as discussed above or in another configuration.

Thus far, embodiments have been disclosed with a carriage suspended from the track. The various aspects and further characteristics thereof may also be employed in other embodiment in which the carriage is provided above the tracks. In such embodiment, depicted by <FIG>, the carriages rolls over the track <NUM> by means of wheels <NUM>. The wheels <NUM> do not have substantial extensions that reach beyond the main diameter of the wheels <NUM> to enable switching to other track segments at a switch only by controlling the electromagnetic functionality of the switches.

In another embodiment, the carriage <NUM> is provided above the track <NUM> and the magnetic suspension modules <NUM> are provided below the track <NUM>. In such embodiments, overlapping rails in a switch are omitted. This means that with four magnetic suspension modules <NUM> provided on the carriage <NUM>, the carriage <NUM> is in such switches suspended by only three magnetic suspension modules <NUM>.

In summary, the various aspects relate to a switch is presented for a magnetically suspended or at least guided vehicle. The switch comprises a fork from a first track segment to a second and third track segment. An elongate conductive module, for example a conductive wire is provided along at least the first track segment and optionally along the second and third track segment. The conductive module comprises conductor segments that guide a current with a directional component substantially parallel the length of the track, at a first surface of the track. With an electromagnet provided on a carriage having a pole directed to the first surface of the track, a Lorentz force may be provided for urging the carriage in a direction perpendicular to the length of the track. This allows a carriage moving along the first track segment to be urged towards the second or third track segment at the other side of the fork.

The embodiments discussed thus far are discussed in conjunction with conductor segments having a directional component parallel to the length of the tracks in general and the rails in particular. These conductor segments are discussed for guiding the vehicle to a particular position on the track selection module, towards one or two or more tracks of the switch. If these conductor segments are provided perpendicular to the length of the track, the conductor segments may be used for determining the position of the vehicle on the track in a direction perpendicular to the length of the track and, hence, perpendicular to the main direction of movement of the vehicle along the track.

If these conductor segments are provided diagonally relative to the length of the track, the conductor segments may be used for establishing displacement of the vehicle relative to the rails in a direction parallel to the track as well as perpendicular to the track - in any case substantially perpendicular to the length of the conductor segments.

Whereas this embodiment may be advantageous from a material and therefore cost point of view, it is not a preferred embodiment. In a preferred embodiment, the amount and speed of displacement perpendicular to the length of the track and parallel to the track, along the track, may be controlled independent from one another. Therefore, an embodiment comprising conductor segments substantially parallel to the tracks and the rails in particular on one hand and further conductor segments substantially perpendicular to the tracks and the rails in particular on the other hand is particularly preferred. With the conductor segments and the independent conductor segments being powered independently, this embodiment allows for independent forward and sideway speed and displacement control.

In the description above, it will be understood that when an element such as layer, region or substrate is referred to as being "on" or "onto" another element, the element is either directly on the other element, or intervening elements may also be present. Also, it will be understood that the values given in the description above, are given by way of example and that other values may be possible and/or may be strived for.

Furthermore, the invention may also be embodied with less components than provided in the embodiments described here, wherein one component carries out multiple functions. Just as well may the invention be embodied using more elements than depicted in the Figures, wherein functions carried out by one component in the embodiment provided are distributed over multiple components.

It is to be noted that the figures are only schematic representations of embodiments of the invention that are given by way of non-limiting examples. For the purpose of clarity and a concise description, features are described herein as part of the same or separate embodiments, however, it will be appreciated that the scope of the invention, defined by the appended claims, may include embodiments having combinations of all or some of the features described. The word 'comprising' does not exclude the presence of other features or steps than those listed in a claim. Furthermore, the words 'a' and 'an' shall not be construed as limited to 'only one', but instead are used to mean 'at least one', and do not exclude a plurality.

A person skilled in the art will readily appreciate that various parameters and values thereof disclosed in the description may be modified and that various embodiments disclosed and/or claimed may be combined without departing from the scope of the invention, defined by the appended claims.

Claim 1:
Switch (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) for a track for guiding transportation of a magnetically suspended and/or magnetically guided vehicle (<NUM>) along the track, the switch comprising:
- A first elongate track segment (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>);
- A second elongate track segment (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>);
- A third elongate track segment (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>);
- A track selection module (<NUM>, <NUM>) for selecting between a first guidance mode in which the vehicle is guided from the first track segment to the second track segment and a second guidance mode in which the vehicle is guided from the first track segment to the third track segment;
characterised in that:
- The track segments comprise a ferromagnetic material; and
- the track selection module comprises a first elongate electrical conductor (<NUM>, <NUM>', <NUM>", <NUM>, <NUM>') having first conductor segments (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) that are arranged to guide a current through the conductor with a directional component substantially parallel the length of the track located at a first surface at a vehicle side of the track which first conductor segments have a directional component parallel to the length of the track segments.