Ford Motor Company Limited

Richard David Anderson

John Michael Miller

Craig Hammann Stephan

Lloyd Craig Davis

A transportation system includes a guideway lane and a power cable assembly extending along the guideway lane. The system further includes a vehicle configured to travel on the guideway lane. The vehicle includes a self-centering transformer that is movable along the cable assembly and configured to cooperate with the cable assembly to transfer power to the vehicle. In addition, the transformer includes a magnet array that creates a magnetic field for centering the transformer-with respect to the cable assembly as the transformer moves along the cable assembly.

Transportation system

A guideway system for conveying vehicles includes a first guideway lane and a plurality of control cells. Each cell includes a particular portion of the first guideway lane and a cell:controller for monitoring and controlling traffic flow on the first guideway lane portion within the respective cell. Furthermore, the cell controllers are in communication with each other so as to share information with each other.

System and method for controlling flow of vehicles

A method is provided for controlling operation of a vehicle on a guideway system, wherein the vehicle includes a first element of a linear induction motor and an alternate power source, and the guideway system has an acceleration section including a second element of the linear induction motor, and a computer control system. The method includes utilizing the second element in cooperation with the first element so as to accelerate the vehicle on the acceleration section of the guideway system, and providing speed instructions to the vehicle using the computer control system so as to cause the vehicle to use the alternate power source to maintain a desired cruising speed on a main section of the guideway system.

Growing community of inventors

Northville, MI, United States of America

Richard David Anderson