U.S. patent application number 11/393721 was filed with the patent office on 2006-10-05 for buoyant marine rail system.
Invention is credited to Jeffrey Thomas Jordan.
Application Number | 20060219124 11/393721 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 37068799 |
Filed Date | 2006-10-05 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060219124 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Jordan; Jeffrey Thomas |
October 5, 2006 |
Buoyant marine rail system
Abstract
A rail system may include a rail buoyant in a fluid, and a
vehicle buoyant in the fluid. The vehicle may be
electromagnetically and/or mechanically coupled to the rail for
movement along the rail.
Inventors: |
Jordan; Jeffrey Thomas;
(Vienna, VA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Ray Heflin
1102 Kings Way Court SW
Vienna
VA
22180
US
|
Family ID: |
37068799 |
Appl. No.: |
11/393721 |
Filed: |
March 31, 2006 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60666588 |
Mar 31, 2005 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
104/23.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B63B 21/64 20130101;
B63B 21/02 20130101; B61B 13/12 20130101; B63B 21/66 20130101; B63B
35/00 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
104/023.1 |
International
Class: |
B61D 15/00 20060101
B61D015/00 |
Claims
1. A rail system comprising: a rail buoyant in a fluid; and a
vehicle buoyant in the fluid; the vehicle electromagnetically
coupled to the rail for movement along the rail.
2. The rail system according to claim 1, further comprising:
electromagnetic reaction elements imbedded in the rail; and primary
coils provided on the vehicle.
3. The rail system according to claim 2, wherein the
electromagnetic reaction elements are magnets.
4. The rail system according to claim 1, wherein the rail has an
arcuate cross sectional shape.
5. The rail system according to claim 4, wherein the rail has a
circular cross sectional shape.
6. The rail system according to claim 5, wherein the vehicle has a
hull with a shape corresponding to the shape of the rail.
7. The rail system according to claim 1, wherein the rail has a
U-shaped cross sectional profile.
8. The rail system according to claim 7, wherein the vehicle has a
hull with a shape corresponding to the shape of the rail.
9. The rail system according to claim 1, further comprising: wheels
provided on the vehicle to support the vehicle on land.
10. The rail system according to claim 1, wherein the rail is
flexible and has a repeating geometry along the length of the
rail.
11. The rail system according to claim 1, wherein the vehicle is
self-propelled along the rail.
12. A rail comprising: a substrate; and a plurality of spaced apart
electromagnetic elements imbedded in the substrate; wherein the
substrate is fabricated from a material with a density sufficient
to give the rail buoyancy in a fluid.
13. The rail according to claim 12, wherein the electromagnetic
elements are electromagnetic reaction elements.
14. The rail according to claim 13, wherein the electromagnetic
reaction elements are magnets.
15. The rail according to claim 13, wherein the electromagnetic
reaction elements are coils.
16. The rail according to claim 12, further comprising: a
reinforcing member imbedded in the substrate.
17. The rail according to claim 16, wherein the reinforcing member
is a plurality of fibers extending along the length of the
rail.
18. The rail according to claim 12, further comprising: spacers
interposed between the electromagnetic elements.
19. The rail according to claim 12, further comprising: a tether
securing the rail to land underneath a body of water.
20. A conveying system comprising: a buoyant guide; and a buoyant
vehicle coupled to the floating guide; wherein the buoyant guide
and the buoyant vehicle cooperate to convey the buoyant vehicle.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This U.S. non-provisional application claims priority under
35 USC .sctn.119 to U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/666,588
filed Mar. 31, 2005, the content of which is incorporated herein in
its entirety by reference.
BACKGROUND
[0002] A linear motor is analogous to a conventional rotary
electric motor that has been sliced open and rolled out flat. In a
linear motor, a magnetic field generated by either the rotor or
stator is used to produce linear motion.
[0003] Many concepts for one type of linear motor technology called
a linear induction motor (LIM) have been proposed over the years
for ground transportation systems. High-speed trains propelled, not
by their wheels, but by a LIM have been built and tested to achieve
speeds of 250 mph. In another familiar example, the MAGLEV Train
system operates at speeds over 300 mph and has no wheels at all,
pulling itself along the unpowered track by magnetic induction
fields. In addition to high-speed trains, many applications of
linear motor technologies can be found in low-speed logistics
transport systems. For example, transport systems found in
hospitals, factories, and warehouses typically consist of a powered
conveyor (stator) that generates magnetic fields in synchrony
(synchronous linear motor) with the fields in the track to produce
motion in its conveying carts. Although such applications of linear
motor technology are generally thought to provide acceptable
performance, they are not without shortcomings.
[0004] Linear motor technology works best when the gap between the
motor poles and the reaction rail is small. To this end,
conventional LIMs are tethered to massive guideways that are braced
to the ground or ground-based elevated structures for the purpose
of reducing vibration in the track, which leads to variation in the
gap. A linear synchronous motor (LSM), which is another type of
induction motor for propulsion, uses a similar guideway structure.
Precise gap tolerance between the rotor and the stator elements is
achieved during linear motor operation by reducing the vertical
forces of the vehicle in motion on the braced track. Even in
current marine applications, such as amusement rides and ferries
(for example), including vehicles that ride on the water's surface
and vehicles that penetrate it to go below the surface, existing
LIMs and LSMs are supported by guideway structures on the ground
beneath the water.
[0005] The guideway structure needed to minimize the gap for linear
motor transport systems limits its usefulness to a predetermined
and fixed path. In addition, the guideway structure is expensive in
terms of both its construction and maintenance costs.
SUMMARY
[0006] According to an example, non-limiting embodiment, a rail
system may include a rail buoyant in a fluid and a vehicle buoyant
in the fluid. The vehicle may be electromagnetically coupled to the
rail for movement along the rail.
[0007] According to another example, non-limiting embodiment, a
rail may include a substrate. A plurality of spaced apart
electromagnetic elements may be imbedded in the substrate. The
substrate may be fabricated from a material with a density
sufficient to give the rail buoyancy in a fluid.
[0008] According to another example, non-limiting embodiment a
conveying system may include a buoyant guide. A buoyant vehicle may
be coupled to the floating guide. The buoyant guide and the buoyant
vehicle may cooperate to convey the buoyant vehicle.
[0009] The above and other features of the invention including
various and novel details of construction and combinations of parts
will now be more particularly described with references to the
accompanying drawings. It will be understood that the particular
rail system embodying the invention is shown by way of illustration
only and not as a limitation of the invention. The principles and
features of this invention may be employed in varied and numerous
embodiments without departing from the scope of the invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of a linear motor
according to an example, non-limiting embodiment of the
invention.
[0011] FIGS. 2A-2F illustrate an example firing sequence that may
be suitably implemented in the linear motor shown in FIG. 1.
[0012] FIG. 3 illustrates an operational scenario of a rail system
according to an example, non-limiting embodiment of the
invention.
[0013] FIG. 4 is a front view of the rail system shown in FIG.
3.
[0014] FIG. 5 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the rail
system shown in FIG. 3, while in a buoyant condition.
[0015] FIG. 6 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the rail
system shown in FIG. 3, while on land.
[0016] FIG. 7 is a front view of a rail system according to another
example, non-limiting embodiment of the invention.
[0017] FIG. 8 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the rail
system shown in FIG. 7, while in a buoyant condition.
[0018] FIG. 9 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the rail
system shown in FIG. 7, while on land.
[0019] FIG. 10 is a schematic perspective view of a rail system
according to another example, non-limiting embodiment of the
invention.
[0020] FIG. 11 is a schematic perspective view of a rail system
according to another example, non-limiting embodiment of the
invention.
DESCRIPTION OF EXAMPLE, NON-LIMITING EMBODIMENTS
[0021] In example, non-limiting embodiments of the invention shown
in FIGS. 1-10, the rail system includes a buoyant rail (or track) 1
& 25; its component junctions (not shown), unions (not shown),
and tethers 22; and complementary buoyant vehicles 2, 18, & 26
that ride the track 1 & 25. In a first example embodiment,
which is depicted in FIGS. 1-6, the track 1 has a round
cross-sectional profile. In a second example embodiment, which is
depicted in FIGS. 7-9, the track 25 has a u-shaped profile.
[0022] I. A Track, Round in Cross-Section--FIGS. 1-6:
[0023] A buoyant track 1 includes a substrate 12 imbedded with
electromagnet elements, such as permanent magnets 11, for example.
The substrate 12 may be fabricated from a plastic material and/or a
composite material. The cross-sectional profile of the track 1 is
round with symmetry about its axis as shown in FIG. 1. In this way,
the track 1 may function properly even if one portion of the track
is twisted relative to another. The diameter of the profile is not
much greater than the diameter of the imbedded magnets 11 so as to
minimize the gap 23 (see FIGS. 5 & 6) between the track 1 and
rail-riding vehicle 2 & 18. The track 1 may include internal
reinforcing fibers 10, which are not necessarily symmetrical about
the axis of the track 1. The reinforcing fibers 10 run the length
of the track 1 and resist the external tensioning forces applied to
the track 1, which would otherwise cause it to stretch.
[0024] The substrate 12 may be fabricated from a material that is
buoyant in water. The density of the substrate 12 material is
sufficiently lower than that of water to compensate for the weight
of electromagnetic elements (such as the magnets 11, for example)
and reinforcing elements (such as the reinforcing fibers 10, for
example) imbedded within it. The track 1 may also include spacers
(not shown) provided between the electromagnetic elements. The
spacers (not shown) and the magnets 11 may be fixed to the
reinforcing fibers 10 to provide a sub-assembly that may have a
cylindrical shape. The material of the substrate 12 may then be
provided on the cylindrical sub-assembly by conventional extrusion
techniques.
[0025] The magnets 11 imbedded within the track 1 are held in
position relative to one another by the spacers 10, which are also
imbedded in the substrate 12. In an alternate embodiment, the
spacers 10 may be modified to accommodate coils, solenoids and/or
conductive plates that function similarly. In the disclosed example
embodiments, the track 1 is a passive element to the extent that it
is un-powered. Here, the internal elements of the track 1 act as
reaction plates for the overall synchronous motor system. In
alternative embodiments, powered primary electromagnets and/or
powered coils (for example) for a LIM system may be included in the
track 1.
[0026] The rail-riding vehicles 2 complement the buoyant track 1 in
a geometric fashion in two ways. First the cross-sectional geometry
of the vehicle hull 18, which is that portion of the rail-riding
vehicle 2 in potential contact with the water when in the marine
environment, corresponds to the cross-sectional geometry of the
track 1. Second, the positioning of the primary coils 3, 4, & 5
(see FIGS. 1 & 2) is such that at least one of the coils 3, 4,
& 5 is suitably positioned with respect to one of the reaction
elements 11 in the track 1 to generate a propulsion force when
energized by a control device. The rail system is balanced to
achieve hydrodynamic efficiency in the hull and track mounting
geometry, while also achieving maximum electromagnetic efficiency
in the primary and secondary coil mounting geometry.
[0027] In this example embodiment, the hull 18 includes a cavity
that is round in cross section. Positioning of the cavity is such
that the gap between the track 1 and the hull 18 does not vary
significantly as the system transitions from operating in water as
shown in FIGS. 4 & 5 to operating on land as shown in FIG.
6.
[0028] The primary coils 3, 4, & 5 of the linear synchronous
motor shown in FIG. 1 are spaced apart in such a way that
electrical switching among them yields propulsion force. For
example, if the length 6 of an imbedded magnet is l and the length
7 from the front of one magnet to the front of the next is 2 l,
then the length 8 between primary coils 3 & 4 is 1.25 l and the
length 9 between primary coils 3 & 5 is 2.5 l to allow
generation of a propulsion force at every step down the track 1.
Such geometries are well understood in this art.
[0029] To ride on the track 1, a rail-riding vehicle energizes each
of its solenoids at timings to develop forces of attraction and
repulsion. A solenoid firing sequence may be implemented with
either AC (by controlling the frequency) or DC (by switching the
current) power. The firing sequence may be used to propel the
rail-riding vehicle 2 along the track 1. An example firing sequence
is depicted in FIGS. 2A-2F.
[0030] An example, non-limiting operational concept for the buoyant
marine rail system is depicted in FIG. 3. Here, standard shipping
containers 13, which are commonly referred to as
Twenty-Foot-Equivalent units (TEUs), are transported by the rail
system from a base at sea 14, across the beach 15, over terrain 16,
and all the way into the field base ashore 17. In this
illustration, the rail-riding vehicle 2 & 18 resembles a barge
with wheels 19.
[0031] Given that the buoyant track 1 is statically neutral without
need for a guideway structure (which is typical of conventional
linear motors), it is mobile and can be moved into position on
demand. At the interface between the water and the land, commonly
known as the beach 15, the support for the weight of the track 1 is
transitioned from the water to the ground as shown in FIG. 3. The
track 1 is sufficiently stiff to permit relatively little
distortion in the beach 15 region, as well as in the water or on
land.
[0032] FIG. 4 depicts a front view demonstrating how the system is
tethered 22 to the land 21 beneath the water. In this example
embodiment, the track 1 floats on the surface 20 of the water.
However, the invention is not limited in this regard so long as the
track 1 is buoyant. Tethering 22 is common for vessels such as
semi-submersible oilrigs that operate in a relatively fixed
position in ocean waters. It will be appreciated that a track
tethered 22 to the ocean floor 21 will be buoyed by the water and
does not need additional supporting structure. Rather, the tether
22 keeps the track 1 from floating away, much like the brake on a
LIM roller coaster keeps it from rolling away down the track.
[0033] The rail-riding vehicles 2 & 18 include wheels 19 that
are positioned such that the track 1 is in the same relative
position with regard to the underside of the vehicle 2 & 18
when the vehicle 2 & 18 is on land 24 or in the water 20. FIG.
5 shows the system in water 20 and FIG. 6 shows the same system on
dry land 24.
[0034] The gap 23 between the magnet 11 in the track 1 and the
primary coil 3 in the rail-riding vehicle 2 & 18 is at least as
thick as the substrate 12 provided on the magnet 11.
[0035] In this example embodiment, the rail riding vehicle 2 and
the hull 18 are fixed together as an integral unit. In an
alternative embodiment, as shown in FIG. 10 (for example), the rail
riding vehicle 2 and the hull 18 may be physically different (and
buoyant) structures that are coupled together via a rope 40 (or
other coupling mechanism). In this way, the rail riding vehicle 2
may serve as a tractor with the separate hull 18 (and cargo) being
towed behind the rail riding vehicle 2.
[0036] II. A Track, U-Shaped in Cross-Section--FIGS. 7-9:
[0037] The following example, non-limiting embodiment is somewhat
similar to the previous embodiment. However, as will be discussed
in the following paragraphs, there are some notable differences
including the shape of the track 25, the corresponding shape of the
rail-riding vehicle 26, the TEU racks 27, and implications of a
transverse orientation for imbedded coils 31 in the track 25 and
corresponding transversely oriented primary coils 30 in the
rail-riding vehicle 26.
[0038] With reference to FIG. 7 this example embodiment may include
a track 25 that has a u-shaped profile, a complementary e-shaped
rail-riding vehicle 26, and mounting racks 27 for transporting two
independently floating containers 13 at a time.
[0039] By allowing shipping containers 13 of various load-out
weights to float independently at different drafts as shown in FIG.
7, the rail-riding vehicles 26 may reduce forces that twist the
track 1. However, the containers 13 (or TEUs) remain coupled to the
rail-riding vehicles 26 in the horizontal plane for transport along
the track 25.
[0040] With reference to FIGS. 8 and 9, the transverse arrangement
of the coils in both the track 25 (passive coils 31) and the
rail-riding vehicles 26 (primary switching coils 30) permits
utilization of magnetic fields emanating from both ends of the
primary coils 30. This yields increased power density over the
example, non-limiting embodiment presented in FIGS. 1-6 and the
ability to carry more payload.
[0041] In the example, non-limiting embodiment depicted in FIGS.
7-9, the transverse arrangement of the coils 30 & 31 reduces
the dependence of gap tolerance on the dynamics associated with the
marine environment. That is, buoyancy motions in the vertical
direction caused by waves (for example) may have a reduced impact
on the horizontal distance across the gap 32 between primary
switching coils 30 on the rail-riding vehicles 26 and the passive
coils 31 imbedded in the track 25.
[0042] The linear motor according to example, non-limiting
embodiments of the present invention provides (for example)
improved flexibility, cost, and mobility to linear motor
technology. The disclosed buoyant marine rail system provides a
novel mode of transporting various logistics payloads to or from a
base at sea, across the beach, over land, and to a base on land. In
its most elemental form, the disclosed buoyant marine rail system
may substitute for steering mechanisms needed to steer
self-propelled vehicles. Moreover, example, non-limiting
embodiments of the present invention introduce a novel approach to
levitation of the various components of a LIM or LSM via relative
buoyancy while in the marine environment, which reduces (and may
altogether eliminate) the need for a guideway structure.
[0043] Various and novel details of construction and combinations
of parts have been described with reference to the accompanying
drawings. It will be understood that the particular buoyant marine
rail system embodying the invention is shown by way of illustration
only and not as a limitation of the invention. The principles and
features of this invention may be employed in varied and numerous
embodiments without departing from the scope of the invention.
[0044] For example, in the disclosed embodiments, the rail is
passive (or unpowered) and the vehicle is active (or powered). In
alternative embodiments, the rail may be active and the vehicle may
be inactive. Also, as shown in FIG. 11 (for example) the track (in
the form of a guide wire) may be directly buoyed by the water,
suspended above the fluid by buoyed supports that are tethered to
the land beneath the fluid, or resting on the ground beneath the
fluid. In any case, the track may also be coupled to buoyant
vehicles. Consider FIG. 11, for example. Here, a guide 100 is
suspended above water by buoyed supports that are tethered to the
land beneath the water. The guide 100 may be translated relative to
the buoyed supports 110 to convey the floating vehicles 120 as
desired. This embodiment may be somewhat functionally similar to a
conventional ski lift.
* * * * *