Triple Rail PRT System with Parallel Ramps for Direction Changes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing Personal Rapid Transit (PRT) systems face issues with high energy consumption, air pollution, frequent stops, unsuitability for narrow urban spaces, inefficient route switching, and lack of fault-tolerant traffic control systems, compromising passenger safety and efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A compact 3-rail system with parallel ramp architecture for bi-directional transport, dynamic center of mass alignment, and a fault-tolerant control system using odd-numbered processor nodes for secure and efficient direction changes, along with a Direction Change Connector for all types of turns and an anti-fall security mechanism.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If conventional PRT systems use wheels steering for direction changes, then route switching is possible, but speed must be reduced during direction changes
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the guideway into separate straight segments and curved segments. Vehicles travel on straight segments at high speed, then transition to curved segments for direction changes. This segmentation allows high-speed travel and turning to occur in separate spatial zones, resolving the contradiction between maintaining speed and executing turns.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a vertical dimension with elevated guideways and uses three-dimensional space for transitions. Direction changes occur in a different spatial dimension (vertical transitions between levels) rather than requiring lateral steering maneuvers, enabling high-speed direction changes without the mechanical constraints of wheel steering.
2Area of stationary object
If PRT vehicles operate in narrow urban spaces, then space utilization is improved, but vehicle size must be reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system utilizes vertical space by elevating the guideway above ground level. This three-dimensional approach allows vehicles to operate in narrow urban footprints without requiring large horizontal clearance, as the guideway occupies the vertical dimension rather than expanding the horizontal footprint.
Solution Approach 2:
The elevated guideway structure serves multiple functions: it provides the transportation pathway, acts as a support structure, and utilizes vertical space that would otherwise be unused. This multi-functionality allows the system to operate efficiently in narrow urban spaces without compromising vehicle capacity.
3Ease of operation
If conventional PRT systems use frequent stops, then passenger boarding and alighting is possible, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system maintains continuous vehicle motion along the elevated guideway without frequent stops. Passengers board and alight at designated stations where vehicles pause briefly, rather than requiring frequent stopping along the route. This continuity minimizes energy loss from acceleration and deceleration cycles.
Solution Approach 2:
Passengers board and alight at pre-designated stations before the vehicle begins its journey segment. This preliminary action allows passengers to be positioned and secured before high-speed travel begins, eliminating the need for frequent stops during transit and reducing overall energy consumption.
4Reliability
If PRT systems use traditional traffic control, then basic operation is possible, but fault tolerance is insufficient for high-speed operations
Solution Approach 1:
The control system implements localized fault detection and response at each guideway segment and vehicle unit. Each component has dedicated sensors and control logic that can independently detect and respond to faults without requiring system-wide shutdown, providing localized quality control that enhances overall reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs continuous feedback loops with sensors monitoring vehicle position, speed, and system status. Real-time feedback enables the control system to detect anomalies, adjust operations, and respond to faults immediately, maintaining high reliability through active monitoring and dynamic adjustment rather than passive traditional control.
Data Source
AI summary
A personal rapid transit (PRT) system that comprises a very economic triple rail topology for bi-directional urban personal transport. All the ramps are implemented always on the one side of the tracks for the sake of the narrow urban spaces accommodation. In order to achieve fast speed direction changes and a non compromised passenger security, the ramps are implemented as parallel lines to the corresponding tracks, and the vehicles do not use any wheel steering or electromagnetic heads. Instead, a landing wheel gear is implemented, and all the wheels are synchronized by speed before touching the rails. The vehicle's center of masses is constantly maintained to be found in most cases in one plain with the guideways. In case of emergencies, a special “anti-fall down” security system keeps the vehicle on the rails. The vehicles are capable of making all kind of turns by utilizing the highly compact Direction Change Connector. The PRT control system is implemented as three layer hierarchical system that consists of fault-tolerant processor nodes only, and utilizes two channel (with a hot reserve) wireless communications between the layers.