AU466128B2 - Guided vehicle power supply system - Google Patents

Description

4 9 2 A power supply system for a vehicle which is guided

along a predetermined path is disclosed. The power supply

system has the following makeup. A power supply structure

for supplying power to the guided vehicle is located along

the side of the predetermined vehicle path. An aligning provides structure, associated with the power supply structure, by a guide surface. An aligning wheel is rotatably secured that t first support structure to the vehicle in such a position

wheel contacts the guide surface of the aligning structure to ;de the vehicle as it passes along the predetermined path. power iurality of current collectors, for engaging the to supply structure, are secured by second support structure

the first support structure in a position adjacent the aligning

wheel. This second support structure resiliently supports

the plurality of current collectors in engagement with the power supply structure.

466.128

41, 8 3 9 BACKGROID OF TIHE INVEION

Many prior art systems have been developed for

supplying power to vehicles. Power supply systems for subways

and other electrically driven vehicles have been known in the

art for many years. Also, many supply systems are known for

supplying electrical energy to pneumatic tired vehicles guided

over a predetermined path.

This invention is directed to the field of structures

for providing electric power to guided vehicles. In particular:,

the invention is directed to structures for supplying elect-

rical power to a pneumatic tired vehicle which is guided over

a roadway. The inventive power supply system is so constructed

that the current collector elements are positioned in engage-

ment with the power supply structure and guided therealong by

means of an aligning wheel which also serves to guide and to

position the vehicle in its passage along the roadway.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a power supply system for

a vehicle and, more particularly, to a power supply system

for a vehicle which is guided along a predetermined path. In

general, the invention is most useful in supplying power to a

pneumatic tired vehicle guided along a predetermined path.

In accordance with the teachings of this in v-ntfio,

the power supply system contains the following general elements.

A power supply structure is located along the side of the pre-

determined vehicle path for supplying power to the guided

vehicle. A vehicle aligning structure is associated with the

power supply structure to provide a guide surface along which

the vehicle may be guided. First structure secures an align-

ing wheel to the vehicle in such a position that the wheel 3 466,128

41.8 3 9fn2 contacts the guide surface of the aligning structure. The

aligning wheel is rotatable and it moves along the guide sur-

face to guide the vehicle as it proceeds along the predeter-

mined path. A second structure secures a plurality of current

collectors to the first structure in a position adjacent the

aligning wheel. The second structure resiliently supports the

current collectors in engagement with the power supply struct-

ure. The second structure also locates the current collectors

with respect to the aligning wheel Ro that the aligning wheel

positions the collectors in association with the power supply

cture.

In greater detail, the power supply structure in-

cludes support structure mounted along the predetermined path

of the vehicle. The support structure has a surface facing

inwardly toward the vehicle path and this surface has first

and second insulating members secured thereto. First and

second conductor elements are mounted along respective portions

of the first and second insulating members facing inwardly

toward the vehicle path.

In still greater detail, the aligning structure is

preferably formed by a third conductor element secured to the

support structure and providing a relatively smooth surface

facing inwardly toward the vehicle path. The aligning struct-

ure, in its preferred embodiment, also serves as a portion of

the power supply structure. The aligning structure may, in

this preferred form be an~-1' bse--& beam having its top

surface facing inwardly toward the vehicle path. In such a

case, the beam serves as the ground conductor for the

power supply as an associated one of the current collectors is

brought into engagement therewith. 4 466,128

41,8 3 9n2 BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Figure 1 is an elevation view of a guided vehicle

moving along a predetermined path. The vehicle employs a

power supply system constructed .in accordance with the teach-

ings of this/in v tio

Figure 2 is an elevation view, partly in/epeso-

section, showing the power supply system of this invention in

greater detail.

Figure 3 is a side elevation view of the system of

Figure 2. This view is taken in a direction looking toward the

power supply structure of the system.

Figure 4 is a perspective view showing the details

of the portion of the power supply system associated with the

vehicle. This view.is taken in a direction looking away from

the power supply structure of the system.

DESCRIPTION OF THE fPREFERRED EMBODIMENT In Figure 1 there is seen a vehicle 10 which is

supported on a plurality of pneumatic tires 12-12 for movement

along a predetermined path. The bottom right and left edges

of the predetermined path are defined by a pair of road bed

elements 14-14 which may be formed from concrete and buried

in a suitable surface 16.

The power supply system of this invention is shown

in the drawings and generally identified by the numeral

The power supply system is, in part, associated with the road

bed elements 14-14 and, in part, with the vehicle 10. As shown

best in Figure 1, the power supply structure is formed on both

sides of the vehicle. It should be kept in mind that the power

supply system may have vehicle portions mounted not only at

both sides of the vehicle but also at both ends of the vehicle. 466.128

41.839 n7 Since each of the structures mounted on the vehicle is sub-

stantially identical, only one such structure will be discussed

in detail.

A support structure 22 forms a portion of the general

power supply system 20 associated with the road bed elements

14-14.. The support structure extends upwardlyfrom an associated

road bed element and lengthwise along the entire predetermined

path over which the vehicle 10 is guided. The support structure

has a front surface 24 (Figure 2) which faces inwardly toward

the vehicle as the vehicle passes the'eby. First and second

insulating members 26 and 28 are secured to the front surface

of the support structure. First and second conductor elements,

and 32 respectively, are mounted along the portions of the

first and second insulating members which face inwardly toward

the predetermined vehicle path. A third conductor element 34

is also secured to the front surface of the support structure

and positioned below the first and second insulating members.

This third conductor element is in the form of a steel "I"

beam. The third conductor provides a relatively smooth surface

36 facing inwardly toward the predetermined vehicle path. The

conductor elements 30 and 32 are connected to a power signal

in a known manner while the conductor element 34 is connected

to ground potential. This arrangement of conductors permits a

delta grounded power system for the vehicle. A first support structure element 38 is secured to

the under carriage of the vehicle 10 in a fixed position (not

shown). A free end 40 of the first suppo-t structure element

has a rotatable support structure 42 thereon. An aligning

wheel 44 is attached to the rotatable support structure in

such a horizontal position that the aligning wheel engages the b 4 6 6.128

41.8 3 9 2 inwardly facing surface 36 of the third conductor element 34.

One function of the aligning wheel is to guide the vehicle

along its predetermined path by positioning the vehicle

properly within the path.

A second support structure element 46 extends from

the free end 40 of the first support structure element 38 along

the length of the side of the vehicle 10 a direction opposed

to the direction. of travel of the vehicle. This second support

structure element 46 has both a vertical portion and a horizon-

tal portion. The free end of the vertical portion of this

second support structure carries an electrical insulating

member 48.

Three spring arms 50, 52 and 54 each have one end

thereof attached to the insulating member 48. The spring arms

extend along the length of the track against the direction of

movement of the vehicle 10. Also, these spring arms are nor-

mally biased in a direction toward the support structure 22

adjacent the predetermined path.

Individual collector brushes 56, 58 and 60 are res-

pectively secured to the free ends of the three spring arms

52 and 54. A raised portion 62 on each arm and a pivot pin 64

are utilized in each case to secure the collector brushes to

individual ones of the spring arms.

As the vehicle 10 proceeds along its predetermined

path as defined by the road bed elements 14, the collector

brush 56 engages the first conductor element 30 while the

collector brush 58 engages the second conductor element 32.

The third collector brush 60 is in engagement with the in-

wardly facing surface 36 of the third conductor element 34.

The third conductor element is the ground terminal and, there- 7 466.128

41.8 3 9 n2 fore, no insulation need be provided. The aligning wheel 44, 36 as it contacts and moves along the inwardly facing surface and of the third conductor 34 keeps the array of spring arms to collector brushes in proper, aligned position with respect

the various conductors. In this aligned position, the collector to brushes may move along the respective conductor elements its path pick up the power required to propel the vehicle along so that of travel. The various spring arms are suitably wired the they may be connected to the electrical motors which propel

vehicle along its track. There has been disclosed herein a power supply sys- Sfor a vehicle which is guided along a predetermined path. those The invention will have many modifications apparent to It skilled in the art upon a reading of this specification. the true is~4-e-da.4 that all modifications which fall within

spirit and scope of this inveition pbeincluded within the scope

of the appended claims.

466,128

Claims (1)

1. 41 839 2 THE Claims defining the invention are as follows:

   I. A power supply system for a vehicle which is guided

   along a predetermined path, which power supply system comprises: a support structure mounted along and generally facing

   inwardly toward said predetermined path of said vehicle; first and second insulating members secured to said support

   structure; first and second conductor elements respectively

   mounted along the portions of said first and second insulating

   members vwhich face inwardly toward said predetermined vehicle

   path; a third conductor element secured to said support

   structure and providing a relatively smooth surface facing

   inwardly toward said predetermined vehicle path; an aligning

   wheel; first structure means including a support member for

   rotatably supporting said aligning wheel from said vehicle in

   such a horizontal position that said wheel engages said smooth

   surface of said third conductor element; a support structure

   secured to said support member of said first structure means

   and extending down a portion of the length.of said vehicle

   path away from said aligning wheel, said support structure

   including electrically insulated portions; three spring arms

   extending from said insulated portions of said support struct-

   ure down aIortion of the length of said vehicle path away

   from said aligning wheel, each of said fingers being in juxta-

   nosition to one of said conductor elements and having free ends flexed toward engagement with an associated conductor

   element; three'collector brushes; and mean for securing

   said collector brushes to said free ends of individual ones

   of said spring arms in facing relationship with an associated

   conductor element.

   466.128

   41. 8 3 92 2. The po.er supply system of claim I vherein: said

   first and said second conductor elements are secured to the

   upoer portion of said support structure, and wherein: said

   third conductor elements is secured to the lower portion of

   said support structure.

   3. The powver supply system of claim 2 wherein: said third conductor element is an beam member with its top

   surface facing inwardly toward said vehicle path.

   DATED this 28th day of larch, 1974.

   T PORD "C02 CcP-' Y OF C-'IADA. LII.ITED PORD

   0 1

   ''.-iTRS c: SOITS, Patent Attorneys, Russell Street, MELBOURNTE, AUSTRaL

   466,128