Magnemotion, Inc.

Rockwell Automation, Inc.

Jason Young

Brian M Perreault

Tracy M Clark

Richard D Thornton

Michael W Bottasso

Nathanael N King

Jesse R Mendenhall

Michael F Onorato

P Eric Malkowski

Eric P Malkowski

A game apparatus including a plurality of first and second player game pieces, each having a first portion that is a chess piece, such that the plurality of first and second player game pieces include all the pieces for a first and second player, respectively for a game of chess. Each of the plurality of first and second player game pieces has a second portion fixed to a corresponding first portion. Each second portion has a recess so that a cube can be inserted into the recess so the cube cannot be seen from a front of the second portion. The game apparatus may further include a base; a grid; and a first and/or second plurality of insert pieces. The grid and the base form a chessboard pattern of a plurality of grid spaces. Each of the insert pieces fits within a space of the plurality of grid spaces.

Apparatus and method for a board game

The invention provides in some aspects a transport system comprising a guideway with a plurality of propulsion coils disposed along a region in which one or more vehicles are to be propelled. One or more vehicles are disposed on the guideway, each including a magnetic flux source. The guideway has one or more running surfaces that support the vehicles and along which they roll or slide. Each vehicle can have a septum portion of narrowed cross-section that is coupled to one or more body portions of the vehicle. The guideway includes a diverge region that has a flipper and an extension of the running surface at a vertex of the diverge. The flipper initiates switching of vehicle direction at a diverge by exerting a laterally directed force thereon. The extension continues switching of vehicle direction at the diverge by contacting the septum. Still other aspects of the invention provide a transport system, e.g., as described above, that includes a merge region with a flipper and a broadened region of the running surface. The flipper applies a lateral force to the vehicle to alter an angle thereof as the vehicle enters the merge region, and the broadened region continues the merge by contacting the septum of the vehicle, thereby, providing further guidance or channeling for the merge. The flipper, which can be equipped for full or partial deployment, is partially deployed in order to effect alteration of the vehicle angle as the vehicle enters the merge.

Short block linear synchronous motors and switching mechanisms

Aspects of the invention provide a transport system powered by short block Linear Synchronous Motors (LSMs). The use of short blocks allows vehicles to move under precise control even when they are in close proximity to each other. The design allows the vehicles to be propelled and guided while negotiating sharp turns and negotiating merge and diverge switches. A coreless LSM can be used to create propulsive force without attractive force so as to allow a relatively high drag vehicle suspension, such as a vehicle sliding on a smooth surface.

Transport system powered by short block linear synchronous motors

The invention provides in some aspects a transport system comprising a guideway with a plurality of propulsion coils disposed along a region in which one or more vehicles are to be propelled. One or more vehicles are disposed on the guideway, each including a magnetic flux source. The guideway has one or more running surfaces that support the vehicles and along which they roll or slide. Each vehicle can have a septum portion of narrowed cross-section that is coupled to one or more body portions of the vehicle. The guideway includes a diverge region that has a flipper and an extension of the running surface at a vertex of the diverge. The flipper initiates switching of vehicle direction at a diverge by exerting a laterally directed force thereon.

Transport system powered by short block linear synchronous motors and switching mechanism

Aspects of the invention provide a transport system powered by short block Linear Synchronous Motors (LSMs). The use of short blocks allows vehicles to move under precise control even when they are in close proximity to each other. The design allows the vehicles to be propelled and guided while negotiating sharp turns and negotiating merge and diverge switches. A coreless LSM can be used to create propulsive force without attractive force so as to allow a relatively high drag vehicle suspension, such as a vehicle sliding on a smooth surface. Further aspects of the invention provide a switching member that is selectively moveable relative to a guideway in order to change a magnetic force acting on the vehicle transverse to a direction of motion of the vehicle.

Control of Linear Synchronous Motors involves a number of low level issues of motor control&#x2014;such as sensing precise position, controlling current in stator windings, and obeying commands from high level controllers&#x2014;and high level vehicle control&#x2014;such as stopping and starting, switching and merging, limiting speed and acceleration, synchronizing relative motion, preventing collisions and accidents, and dealing with failures. In most cases there is a master controller that directs vehicles based on simple commands but in other cases it is desirable to allow an external agent to provide more detailed control&#x2014;such as synchronizing motion between a vehicle and a robot or allowing human operator control. This patent describes a versatile control scheme that allows both simplified high level control and, when or where necessary, control by an external agent. The result is a transport system and method that provides efficient and precise movement of vehicles on a guideway.

Growing community of inventors

Devens, MA, United States of America

Jason Young