Rail Means

Abstract

A rail means ( 1 ) for an electrified monorail system with a suspended vehicle, which comprises an elongated body ( 2 ) having a longitudinal axis (A-A′), and a second axis (B-B′) perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, whereby the elongated body ( 2 ) comprises (a) a central wall means ( 21 ) extending essentially parallel to the longitudinal axis and the second axis of the elongated body ( 2 ), said central wall means defining (a1) a first side wall ( 210 ) of a first channel ( 22 ) for receiving one or more support wheels and one or more guide rollers of a vehicle, the channel ( 22 ) having a support surface ( 220 ) parallel to the longitudinal axis (A-A′) and perpendicular to the second axis (B-B′) for supporting a support wheel, and one or more first guiding surfaces ( 230, 231 ) for guiding a guide rollers of a vehicle; and (a2) a second side wall ( 211 ) of a second channel ( 23 ) for receiving one or more conductor bars extending parallel to the longitudinal axis of the elongated body ( 2 ), and (b) one or more attachment grooves ( 3, 3′ ) having recess portions ( 31, 32, 31′, 32′ ), which are provided at the upper end of the central wall means for attachment of the rail below a support structure.

1 . A rail means ( 1 ) for an electrified monorail system with a suspended vehicle, which comprises an elongated body ( 2 ) having a longitudinal axis (A-A′), and a second axis (B-B′) perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, whereby the elongated body ( 2 ) comprises
 (a) a central wall means ( 21 ) extending essentially parallel to the longitudinal axis and the second axis of the elongated body ( 2 ), said central wall means defining
 (a1) a first side wall ( 210 ) of a first channel ( 22 ) for receiving one or more support wheels and one or more guide rollers of a vehicle, the channel ( 22 ) having a support surface ( 220 ) parallel to the longitudinal axis (A-A′) and perpendicular to the second axis (B-B′) for supporting a support wheel, and one or more first guiding surfaces ( 230 ,  231 ) for guiding a guide rollers of a vehicle; and 
 (a2) a second side wall ( 211 ) of a second channel ( 23 ) for receiving one or more conductor bars extending parallel to the longitudinal axis of the elongated body ( 2 ), and 
   (b) one or more attachment grooves ( 3 ,  3 ′) having recess portions ( 31 ,  32 ,  31 ′,  32 ′), which are provided at the upper end of the central wall means for attachment of the rail below a support structure.   
   
   
       2 . The rail means ( 1 ) of  claim 1 , wherein the distance between the support surface ( 220 ) and a contact surface ( 300 ) of the rail means contacting the support structure is in the range of from 90 to 175 mm. 
   
   
       3 . The rail means ( 1 ) of  claim 1 , wherein the elongated body ( 2 ) further comprises a third channel ( 4 ) for receiving guide roller, which has one or more second guiding surfaces ( 410 ,  411 ) for guiding guide rollers of a vehicle. 
   
   
       4 . The rail means ( 1 ) according to  claim 1 , wherein the first guiding surface ( 230 ,  231 ) of the first channel ( 22 ) extends essentially parallel to the longitudinal axis and the second axis of the elongated body ( 2 ). 
   
   
       5 . The rail means ( 1 ) according to  claim 1 , wherein the second channel ( 23 ) for receiving one or more conductor bars extending parallel to the longitudinal axis of the elongated body ( 2 ) comprises a conductor bar assembly engaging the second channel ( 23 ) at recess portions ( 232 ,  233 ). 
   
   
       6 . The rail means ( 1 ) according to  claim 1 , wherein two attachment grooves ( 3 ,  3 ′) are provided which have recess portions ( 31 ,  32 ,  31 ′,  32 ′) capable of receiving and engaging attachment means for attachment of the rail below a support structure. 
   
   
       7 . The rail means ( 1 ) according to  claim 1 , wherein the third channel ( 4 ) for receiving guide roller is provided adjacent to the support surface ( 220 ) so that a second guiding surface ( 410 ,  411 ) for guiding guide rollers of a vehicle is contiguous with the support surface ( 220 ) and extends parallel to the longitudinal axis (A-A′) and the second axis (B-B′). 
   
   
       8 . The rail means according to  claim 1 , which is made of aluminum. 
   
   
       9 . The rail means according to  claim 1 , wherein the overall dimensions of the cross section are in the range of from 100 to 180 mm in height and 50 to 90 mm in width. 
   
   
       10 . The rail means according to  claim 1 , wherein the central wall means has a thickness in the range of from 4.5 to 5.5 mm. 
   
   
       11 . An electrified monorail system comprising a rail means according to  claim 1  and a vehicle. 
   
   
       12 . Use of the electrified monorail system according to  claim 11  for transporting loads of up to 300 kg.