Turnout of guideway beam-based transit system

Abstract

The turnout of the preferred embodiment of this invention comprises a plurality of guideway beams, at least one guide plate assembly, a plurality of carriage assemblies, a drive means, and at least one carriage assembly bed, wherein neighboring guideway beams are connected together by an articulated joint to form an adjustable segment. The guideway beam includes a guideway beam frame, and at least one inner beam. The guideway beam has at least one guideway beam segment, in which two sides of the guideway beam have different horizontal curvatures. The guide plate assembly includes first and second guide plates, and delineates curvature of the guideway to accommodate the state of the guideway segment in the turnout.

1 . A turnout of a guideway beam-based transit system comprising a plurality of serially aligned guideway beams, at least one guide plate assembly, a drive means, at least one carriage assembly bed, and a plurality of carriage assemblies, wherein 
 at least two of said guideway beams having a guideway beam frame and at least one inner beam,    said frame of said guideway beam being generally of rigid construction, and    said guideway beam having a plurality of guideway segments, wherein    said guideway beam frame in said guideway segment having first and second sidewalls,    said sidewalls having working surfaces in at least two of said guideway beam segment,    said working surface of said first sidewall of said guideway beam frame, and said working surface of said second sidewall of said guideway beam frame having horizontally different curvatures in at least one of said guideway segments.    
   
   
       2 . The turnout of a guideway beam-based transit system as defined in  claim 1 , wherein 
 said guide plate assembly having first guide plate and second guide plate, a plurality of guide plate holders, and a plurality of tie bars,    said first and second guide plates being held by said guide plate holders, and    said guide plate holder of said first guide plate and said guide plate holder of said second guide plate being affixed to said tie bar.    
   
   
       3 . The turnout of a guideway beam-based transit system as defined in  claim 1 , wherein 
 said guide plate assembly having first guide plate, second guide plate, and a plurality of tie bars, and    said first and second guide plates being connected to said tie bar.    
   
   
       4 . The turnout of a guideway beam-based transit system as defined in  claim 1 , wherein 
 said first and second guide plates slidably being held by said guide plate holders.    
   
   
       5 . The turnout of a guideway beam-based transit system as defined in  claim 1 , wherein 
 said first and second sidewalls of said guideway beam frame having a plurality of holes,    said tie bars of said guide plate assembly extend through said holes of said first and second sidewalls.    
   
   
       6 . The turnout of a guideway beam-based transit system as defined in  claim 1 , wherein 
 said inner beam of one of said guideway beams and said inner beam of another one of said guideway beams being slidably connected together.    
   
   
       7 . The turnout of a guideway beam-based transit system as defined in  claim 1 , wherein 
 said inner beam of one of said guideway beams and said inner beam of another one of said guideway beams being rigidly connected together.    
   
   
       8 . The turnout of a guideway beam-based transit system as defined in  claim 1 , wherein 
 said guide plate having a running surface for guide wheels.    
   
   
       9 . The turnout of a beam-based transit system as defined in  claim 1 , wherein 
 said guideway beam including a plurality of gate-shaped track bed support frames, wherein    said gate-shaped support frame having a top member and side members,    said tie bar being affixed to said side members,    said gate-shaped track bed support frame being mounted on said top member of said guideway beam frame.    
   
   
       10 . The turnout of a guideway beam-based transit system as defined in  claim 1 , wherein 
 said turnout having two states,    said two states being a straight state and a bent state,    said guideway beams being separated by a generally acceptable distance under said bent state.    
   
   
       11 . The turnout of a guideway beam-based transit system as defined in  claim 1  wherein 
 said turnout having an expandable guideway beam.    
   
   
       12 . The turnout of a guideway beam-based transit system as defined in  claim 1  wherein 
 said turnout having a plurality of carriage assembly locking means.    
   
   
       13 . The turnout of a guideway beam-based transit system as defined in  claim 1  wherein 
 said turnout having first and second states,    said frame having first and second sidewalls,    each of said first and second sidewalls of said sidewalls having a working surface,    each of said first and second sidewalls of said frame having a plurality of holes,    said inner beam having first and second sidewalls,    each of said first and second sidewalls of said inner beam having a plurality of guide plate support means, and    each of said guide plate support means of said first sidewall having a working surface.    
   
   
       14 . The turnout of a guideway beam-based transit system as defined in  claim 1  wherein 
 said turnout having first and second states,    said frame having first and second sidewalls,    each of said first and second sidewalls of said frame having a working surface,    said inner beam having first and second sidewalls,    each of said first and second sidewalls of said inner beam having a working surface,    said working surface of said first sidewall of said frame and said working surface of said first sidewall of said inner beam being separated by a generally equal distance along their lengths under said first state, and    said working surface of said second sidewall of said frame and said working surface of said second sidewall of said inner beam being separated by a generally equal distance along their lengths under said second state.    
   
   
       15 . A turnout of a guideway beam-based transit system comprising a plurality of serially aligned guideway beams, at least one guide plate assembly, a drive means, at least one carriage assembly bed, and a plurality of carriage assemblies, wherein 
 said guideway beam having at least one guideway beam segment,    said guideway beam being generally of rigid construction.    said guideway beam in said guideway beam segment having first and second sides,    said first side and second side having a working surface in at least one of said guideway beams, and    said working surface of said first side of said guideway segment and said working surface of said second side of said guideway segment having horizontally different curvatures.    
   
   
       16 . The turnout of a guideway beam-based transit system as defined in  claim 15 , wherein 
 said guide plate assembly having first guide plate and second guide plate, a plurality of guide plate holders, and a plurality of tie bars,    said first and second guide plates being held by said guide plate holders, and    said guide plate holders of said first guide plate and said guide plate holders of said second guide plate being affixed to said tie bar.    
   
   
       17 . The turnout of a guideway beam-based transit system as defined in  claim 16 , wherein 
 said turnout having first and second outer edges,    said turnout having a plurality of locking means along said first outer edge, in at least selected segment of said first outer edge,    said turnout having a plurality of locking means along said second outer edge, in at least selected segment of said second outer edge,    said locking means on said first outer edge press against said guide plate holders of said first guide plate, and    said locking means on said second outer edge press against said guide plate holders of said second guide plate.    
   
   
       18 . The turnout of a guideway beam-based transit system as defined in  claim 15 , wherein 
 said guide plate assembly having first guide plate, second guide plate, and a plurality of tie bars, and    said first and second guide plates being connected to said tie bar.    
   
   
       19 . The turnout of a guideway beam-based transit system as defined in  claim 15 , wherein 
 said first and second guide plates slidably being held by said guide plate holders.    
   
   
       20 . The turnout of a guideway beam-based transit system as defined in  claim 15 , wherein 
 said guide plate having a running surface for guide wheels.    
   
   
       21 . The turnout of a guideway beam-based transit system as defined in  claim 15 , wherein 
 said turnout having two states,    said two states being a straight state and a bent state,    said guideway beams being separated by a generally acceptable distance under said bent state.    
   
   
       22 . The turnout of a guideway beam-based transit system as defined in  claim 15  wherein 
 said turnout having an expandable guideway beam.    
   
   
       23 . The turnout of a guideway beam-based transit system as defined in  claim 15 , wherein 
 said guideway beam including a plurality of gate-shaped track bed support frames, wherein    said gate-shaped support frame having a top member and side members,    said tie bar being affixed to said side members,    said gate-shaped track bed support frame being mounted on said top member of said guideway beam frame.    
   
   
       24 . The turnout of a guideway beam-based transit system as defined in  claim 15 , wherein 
 at least in one of said guideway beams said first working surface being flat, and    said second working surface being concavely curved.    
   
   
       25 . The turnout of a guideway beam-based transit system as defined in  claim 15 , wherein 
 said turnout having carriage assembly locking means.    
   
   
       26 . The turnout of a guideway beam-based transit system as defined in  claim 16 , wherein 
 said turnout having tie bar locking means,    metal means affixed to said tie bar, and    said tie-bar locking means and said metal means lock up said tie bar under a locked state.    
   
   
       27 . The turnout of a guideway beam-based transit system as defined in  claim 15 , wherein 
 said guideway beam being of steel structure.    
   
   
       28 . The turnout of a guideway beam-based transit system as defined in  claim 15 , wherein 
 said guideway beam being of concrete construction.    
   
   
       29 . A turnout of a guideway beam-based transit system having at least one segment comprising a plurality of serially aligned guideway beams, at least one guide plate assembly, a drive means, at least one carriage assembly bed, and a plurality of carriage assemblies, wherein 
 said guideway beam generally of rigid construction,    said carriage assembly having first and second sides,    said guideway beam having first and second longitudinal ends,    facing longitudinal first and second ends of two neighboring guideway beams being slidably mounted on said carriage assembly,    a pivot being affixed to top surface of said carriage assembly,    said pivot pivotably connected to one of said neighboring guideway beams having said first end,    said pivot pivotably and slidably connected to the other of neighboring said guideway beams having said second end,    said guide plate assembly having first guide plate and second guide plate, a plurality of guide plate holders, and tie bars,    said first guide plate being slidably held by said guide plate holders,    said guide plate holder of said first guide plate being affixed to said first side surface of said carriage assembly, and said guide plate holders of said second guide plate being affixed to said second side surface of said carriage assembly, and    said guide plate holder of said first guide plate being affixed to said first side surface of said tie bar, and said guide plate holders of said second guide plate being affixed to said second side surface of said tie bar.    
   
   
       30 . The turnout of a guideway beam-based transit system as defined in  claim 29 , wherein 
 said guideway beam and two of said carriage assemblies on which said guideway beam being mounted on forming a guideway beam unit,    said guideway beam unit having at least one tie-bar holder,    said tie bar holder having first and second sides,    said first side of said tie bar holder and said first side of said carriage assemblies forming a first working surface,    said second side of said tie bar holder and said second side of said carriage assemblies forming a second working surface,    said first and second working surfaces having different curvatures under a locked state.    
   
   
       31 . The turnout of a guideway beam-based transit system as defined in  claim 29 , wherein 
 said first and second guide plates slidably being held by said guide plate holders,    said carriage assembly bed having a plurality of carriage assembly locking means.    
   
   
       32 . The turnout of a guideway beam-based transit system as defined in  claim 29 , wherein 
 said turnout having two states,    said two states being a straight state and a bent state,    said guideway beams being separated by a generally acceptable distance under said bent state.    
   
   
       33 . A turnout of a guideway beam-based transit system comprising a plurality of guideway beams, at least one guide plate assembly, a drive means, at least one carriage assembly bed, and a plurality of carriage assemblies, wherein 
 said guideway beam being generally of rigid construction,    said guideway beam having first and second sides,    at least one of said guideway beams having a plurality of cam assemblies along first and second sides of said guideway beam, wherein    said cam assembly having a camshaft and a plurality of cams,    said cam being coaxially mounted on said camshaft, and    said cam shaft rotatably connected to said drive means.    
   
   
       34 . The turnout of a guideway beam-based transit system as defined in  claim 33 , wherein 
 said cam having a cam surface,    a plurality of said cam surface of cams on first side of said guideway beam having first imaginary plane enveloping said cam surfaces,    said first imaginary plane being working surface of said first side of said guideway beam,    a plurality of said cam surface of cams on same side of said guideway beam having second imaginary plane enveloping said cam surfaces,    said second imaginary plane being working surface of said second side of said guideway beam, and    said working surface of said first side and said working surface of said second side having generally identical horizontal curvature along lengths of said working surfaces.    
   
   
       35 . The turnout of a guideway beam-based transit system as defined in  claim 33 , wherein 
 said guide plate assembly having first guide plate and second guide plate, a plurality of guide plate holders, and a plurality of tie bars,    said first and second guide plates being held by said guide plate holders, and    said guide plate holders of said first guide plate and said guide plate holders of said second guide plate being affixed to said tie bar.    
   
   
       36 . The turnout of a guideway beam-based transit system as defined in  claim 33 , wherein 
 said guide plate assembly having first guide plate, second guide plate, and a plurality of tie bars, and    said first and second guide plates being connected to said tie bar.    
   
   
       37 . The turnout of a guideway beam-based transit system as defined in  claim 33 , wherein 
 said first and second guide plates slidably being held by said guide plate holders.    
   
   
       38 . The turnout of a guideway beam-based transit system as defined in  claim 33 , wherein 
 said guideway beam having a frame,    said frame having first and second sidewalls,    said first and second sidewalls of said frame having a plurality of holes,    said tie bars of said guide plate assembly extend through said holes of said first and second sidewalls.    
   
   
       39 . The turnout of a guideway beam-based transit system as defined in  claim 33 , wherein 
 said guide plate having a running surface for guide wheels.    
   
   
       40 . The turnout of a guideway beam-based transit system as defined in  claim 33 , wherein 
 said guideway beam including a plurality of gate-shaped track bed support frames, wherein    said gate-shaped support frame having a top member and side members,    said tie bar being affixed to said side members,    said gate-shaped track bed support frame being mounted on said top member of said guideway beam frame.    
   
   
       41 . The turnout of a guideway beam-based transit system as defined in  claim 33 , wherein 
 said turnout having two states,    said two states being a straight state and a bent state,    said guideway beams being separated by a generally acceptable distance under said bent state.    
   
   
       42 . The turnout of a guideway beam-based transit system as defined in  claim 33  wherein 
 said turnout having an expandable guideway beam.    
   
   
       43 . A turnout of a guideway beam-based transit system comprising a plurality of guideway beams, at least one guide plate assembly, a drive means, at least one carriage assembly bed, and a plurality of carriage assemblies, wherein 
 said turnout having two states,    said two states being a straight state and a bent state,    said guideway beams being separated by a generally acceptable distance under said bent state.    
   
   
       44 . The turnout of a guideway beam-based transit system as defined in  claim 43 , wherein 
 said guide plate having a running surface for guide wheels.    
   
   
       45 . The turnout of a guideway beam-based transit system as defined in  claim 43 , wherein 
 said turnout having first and second outer edges,    said turnout having a plurality of locking means along said first outer edge, in at least selected segment of said first outer edge,    said turnout having a plurality of locking means along said second outer edge, in at least selected segment of said second outer edge,    said locking means on said first outer edge press against said guide plate holders of said first guide plate, and    said locking means on said second outer edge press against said guide plate holders of said second guide plate.    
   
   
       46 . A turnout of a guideway beam-based transit system comprising a plurality of guideway beams, at least one guide plate assembly, a drive means, at least one carriage assembly bed, and a plurality of carriage assemblies, wherein 
 said turnout including an expandable guideway beam.    
   
   
       47 . The turnout of a guideway beam-based transit system as defined in  claim 46 , wherein 
 said guide plate having a running surface for guide wheels.    
   
   
       48 . The turnout of a guideway beam-based transit system as defined in  claim 46 , wherein 
 said turnout having first and second outer edges,    said turnout having a plurality of locking means along said first outer edge, in at least selected segment of said first outer edge,    said turnout having a plurality of locking means along said second outer edge, in at least selected segment of said second outer edge,    said locking means on said first outer edge press against said guide plate holders of said first guide plate, and    said locking means on said second outer edge press against said guide plate holders of said second guide plate.