Overhead Suspended Transportation System and Method

Abstract

An overhead transportation system includes a support structure positioning a running surface above ground level for operating a truck along the running surface. A car body is suspended from a beam or chassis carried by the truck in such a manner to place a center of rotation of the car body above the chassis and truck. Improved performance on curves is provided through superelevation of the tracks upon which fixed steel wheel assemblies of the truck ride.

1 . A transportation method comprising: 
 suspending a running surface above ground level, wherein the running surface includes a curved portion;    superelevating the running surface at least along the curved portions of the running surface;    providing a carrying vehicle for operating along the running surface;    suspending a car body from the carrying vehicle, wherein a single axis of lateral rotation of the car body is positioned above a pivotally attached location thereof, the car body having a floor surface for carrying a load thereon, and wherein the floor surface moves from a horizontal orientation to a tilted orientation during operation of the carrying vehicle along the curved portion of the running surface so as to result in a pendulum like movement of the floor surface and thus the load; and    driving the carrying vehicle along the running surface.    
   
   
       2 . A transportation system comprising: 
 a rail pair forming a track carried;    a support structure for positioning the track above ground level, wherein the track is superelevated along a curved portion thereof, and wherein the superelevated track includes one rail at a different elevation than an opposing rail;    a truck operable along the track, the truck having a wheel pair synchronized and tapered for self centering while rolling along the track;    a chassis carried by the truck; and    a car body suspended from the chassis.