TRANSPORT SYSTEM

TRANSPORT SYSTEM

The invention refers to a transport system according to the preamble of claim 1.

PRIOR ART

The traffic situation in the cities all over the world is getting more and more difficult to deal with. Constantly increasing motoring leads to increased crowding, increased noise, and increased discharging of carbon dioxide and other toxic substances injurious to the environment - while at the same time the resources of oil are decreasing, leading to rapidly accelerating prices of fuel.

How do we escape this vicious circle? Among other things by developing the public transport. But is this possible? Also the public transport, as we know it today, create big problems; also buses crowd, make noise and pollute, trams crowd and demands bigger and more expensive investments with railbound solutions and various adjustments to the streets, and the best alternative from a crowding and environmental standpoint, the underground, demands very big and expensive investments, and creates gigantic problems during the construction period.

The truth is that most cities of the world - in addition quickly growing - simply can't handle all the technical, practical and economical problems that arise when trying to build underground in already established cities. It is no coincidence that the existing underground in many of the world's big cities was originally constructed as early as in the nineteenth century!

A transport system of the kind mentioned above is shown and described in the United States Patent Application No.: US 2007/0256588 Al . This transport system refers to an elongated vehicle that is carried by a longitudinal, under the centre portion of the coach situated downward extending suspension device, possible to raise and lower, which device is attached to a lower driving device, equipped with carrying wheels and supporting wheels, intended to roll in special guide channels. This system is complex concerning its construction, and is not reliable concerning the safe driving of the vehicle. THE OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

The object of the invention is to provide a transport system that solves all the above mentioned problems.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The object is achieved by a transport system according to the characterizing portion of claim 1.

The subclaims describe advantageous embodiments of the invention.

The driving device of the transport system according to the invention is consequently installed below ground level in a way that it is run on at least three, in this case four, rails; two above the driving device and two below it. In the case with three rails, two are placed along the lower part of the driving device and one along the upper part of the driving device. The lower, carrying, rails, are in design and track gauge compatible with existing established systems for tram and railway traffic. The transport system according to the invention is accordingly not provided in a special guide channel as disclosed in US 2007/0256588 Al .

The transport system according to the invention comprises a vehicle, preferably for public transport, but also for goods carrying, that: does not discharge carbon dioxide or any other toxic substances injurious to the environment; is not powered by petrol or diesel fuel or ethanol or natural gas but by clean electricity; is not noisy but runs as good as soundless; does not waste energy and pollute by the use of tyres but runs on rails, but yet is not crowding with other types of traffic but can use its own independent timetable, but yet does not have to be completely buried below ground as the underground but can run above ground, easily accessible, and that yet doesn't need any visible track systems; does not include any stationary pillars, hanging tracks or other monorail-like constructions.

The vehicles of the transport system according to the invention can smoothly run independent from all other traffic in the streets, silent, energy saving and environment friendly, not crowding, and safe. The vehicle brings along all technical equipment, i.e. means to drive and elevate the coach, and all other necessary equipment for communication and security.

LIST OF DRAWINGS

The invention is described in detail in the following with reference to the enclosed drawings which show preferred ways of example.

Figure 1 shows a cross section of a transport system according to the invention.

Figure 2 shows a partial schematic side view of the transport system. Figure 3 shows a sectional perspective view of the transport system.

Figure 4 shows a view of the transport system similar to the one in fig. 3 with some details faintly drawn for clarity reasons.

Figure 5 shows a view of the transport system similar to the one in fig. 3 with some details faintly drawn for clarity reasons. Figure 6 shows a view of the transport system similar to the one in fig. 3 with some details faintly drawn for clarity reasons.

Figure 7 shows a schematic perspective view of the transport system with some details faintly drawn for clarity reasons.

DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

A transport system 1 according to the invention is shown in fig. 1-7 and comprises an electrically driven vehicle 2 running under ground on upper tracks 3a and lower tracks 3b arranged inside a tunnel construction 4, preferably to be used in city traffic. The vehicle 2 has foldable legs 5 or the like, which can raise and lower a coach or a coachwork 6 between a travel position, above the other traffic, and a get on and get off position at the ground level 7. The tracks 3a and 3b extend inside the tunnel construction 4 below the ground level 7. Driving means 8, such as railbound wagons with preferably electric motors, have two upper and two lower pairs of wheels 9a and 9b, respectively, and also includes means 10 to raise and lower the coachwork 6. The wheels 9a, 9b of the driving means are running under the upper tracks 3a as well as on the lower tracks 3b.

The foldable legs 5 are arranged to be able to be folded forward and backward in a parallelogram system, but can also be folded in opposite directions when the railbound wagons of the driving means 8 are run in opposite directions and thus lowers the coachwork 6. This provision must be carried out with precision since the coachwork is to be kept in a horizontal position during the raising and lowering operations. The pair of wagons 8 of a vehicle 2 can be provided with detachable couplings 12a, 12b in order to keep the wagons together during running.

The foldable legs 5 can be of a different design than the one shown in the drawings. They can for instance be designed as so called Nuremberg scissors, as at least one adjustable telescopical hydraulic device, as an eccentric device, or as foldable legs that are articulated at the middle part of the legs. The foldable legs can be shaped as a U, where the centre rib of the U extends through the slit in the ground level plane and where the end ribs of the legs are provided at the coach and the driving means, respectively.

The foldable legs 5 extend through longitudinally provided slits 11, which extend above the tracks 3a, 3b of the driving means 8, and lead between the environment above the ground level 7 and said tunnel construction 4.

The transport system 1 has all the advantages of the tram such as environment friendly, silent electric powered driving and comfortable, non-jolting running, but not its biggest disadvantage; the physical competition with the other traffic creating passability problems, especially during rush-hour traffic.

The transport system 1 thus also has the advantages of the underground when it comes to being independent from all other traffic, but not its disadvantages (travelling under ground level with all the problems this creates for the passengers with walking in subways, stairs, escalators etc, and the feeling of darkness and being shut in during the trip).

The transport system 1 also has the advantages of the bus when it comes to flexibility and accessibility directly from the street, but not its disadvantages such as polluting and crowding problems.

From a financial standpoint the transport system certainly is a more expensive investment than the conventional tram, but it is considerably cheaper than the underground with its large-scale constructions below ground level.

In addition, the design of the construction parts of the transport system below street level can be combined with permanent structures made for other underground-based systems such as electricity, telecommunication, cable TV, district heating, district cooling, drainage and water supply etc, in such a way that these systems will be constantly and easily accessible. The method of frequent excavating the streets for different reasons can thus become ancient history.

The transport system can also be supplemented to be used for goods carrying transports in densely built-up areas, for example for deliveries to shops and companies.

The transport system includes a coach or coachwork which by the help of so called foldable legs can be raised above ground level so that the underside of the coach itself is situated above the highest normal level permitted for all other vehicles, approx. 3,40 meters, while the tracks are running below ground level, i.e. below the street level.

The foldable legs are so designed that they are attached to one side of the coach, as close as possible to the middle of the street. The drawings show that when the vehicle is driven in right-hand traffic the foldable legs are placed in the way that they underneath the coach are protruding downwards at the left side of the coachwork; in left-hand traffic the opposite. When two vehicles are passing each other the foldable legs thus are passing close to one another. The foldable legs on each vehicle extend through a narrow slit in the street down to the track system below. When a vehicle is passing, or when two vehicles meet, the thin foldable legs in the middle of the street together occupy in all not more than approx. 25 centimetres of the streets breadth.

All other traffic thus will be able to run well as usual, in one or more lanes, while the coaches of the transport system run smoothly above without hindrance. Thus the vehicles can carry a part of or even all the bus passengers whose buses as a result of this does not need to occupy regular street space.

In less built-up areas, suburbs etc, the vehicles can be driven as a conventional tram, in the streets or on an especially separated path, where coachworks, motor packages and wheels on bogies are driven in the usual manner on tracks above ground. When a vehicle then is approaching a more densely built-up city area, the coachwork can, during running, be elevated to a position above all other traffic, while the wheels on their bogies and the motor package at the same time follow the tracks sliding down under ground, and keep running in underground traffic.

A vehicle of the transport system 1 according to the invention is in its basic provision meant to be a relatively small vehicle for public transport, with the size of a conventional city bus, with room for approx. 50 - 60 passengers, to be driven in frequent intervals. But also longer vehicles can be used; alternatively more than one vehicle can be connected to longer trains.

The travelling conditions for the passengers will be unique. In suburbs, green open spaces etc. one is travelling as in a conventional tram, gets on and off at usual platforms etc. When the vehicle then drives into a more densely built-up area, the coach or coachwork is raised to an elevated position. Also, the coachwork can be provided with slanted windows from the floor level, offering an extra view downwards. All together this offers a very special way of travelling.

At certain stops the coach is lowered to street level for getting on and off, while at other stops, depending on the city environment, also the stop itself is situated in a higher level, and is connected to an escalator/lift. This level is not necessarily highest level possible of the coachwork.

The transport system is easily accessible directly from the street, like a bus or a taxi. A user or a passenger doesn't have to use an escalator down or walk in subways below ground, as the case is when using the underground.

A regular bus for public city transport is normally approx. 13 metres long. The vehicles of the transport systems have a coachwork which in its normal provision can be a little bit shorter, approx. 10 metres, with room for approx. 50 - 60 passengers. Alternatively, a longer version can be used, with more doors and more foldable legs.

The power transmission for raising and lowering the coachwork is in the shown embodiment inside the two parallel, interconnected foldable legs 5 (when using longer coachworks three foldable legs should be used).

There is no motor in the coachwork itself; but the driving device with motor is situated below ground level in for this purpose especially constructed tunnels/culverts. The foldable legs are connected to the driving device trough a slit in the ground leading to the constructed culvert. The wheels and possible bogies of the vehicle are situated below ground level in the culverts. The driver operates the ride from his/her position at the very front of the coach, using controls for driving, light etc.

But the transport system can also be developed so that the ride is fully computerized and the vehicle is driven without a driver.

The vehicle can be equipped with cameras underneath the coachwork, and detectors sensing possible obstacles.

There are windows on the sides of the coach for the passengers like a conventional tram, but also slanted windows on the lower part of the sides, thus offering a view diagonally downwards. The coachworks are in the normal case equipped with two doors for getting on and off. These doors are preferably placed in the middle of each long side. When using longer vehicles, double doors on each side can be used.

With reference to fig. 7, double seats are placed on the side facing the leg attachments in front of and behind the door, forwards or backwards in the travel direction.

On the opposite side faced from the leg attachments, in front of and behind the door, high, transverse longitudinal seats are placed. In the space underneath these seats the foldable legs can be folded into the coachwork when driving in a low position.

Otherwise the coachwork is equipped on the inside according to requirements, with all the desired conveniences/security details/information possibilities that also are used in conventional railbound traffic, such as space for perambulators and wheelchairs, seats suitable for disabled persons, safety belts, advertising signs, TV-screens with information, commercials etc.

The driving device, including at least one motor, of a low, fiat arrangement, is situated on a wagon of its own placed directly on the tracks that are running in the culvert, and is in an uncomplicated way connected with the lower portion of the foldable legs. Thus, when driving hi dense city traffic, the motor is run below ground level in the culvert, while the coachwork is riding above ground level.

The motor is preferably electric and gets its power from a separate conductor rail using the same technology as at conventional underground systems. The vehicle is wired with cables from the motor upwards to the driver through the foldable legs. Alternatively, for this purpose wireless systems can be used.

In the case of engine trouble the motor can easily be detached from the foldable legs and be replaced by another motor. Exchange engines are placed in especially constructed service depots under ground. Thus, in the case of engine trouble, it is not necessary to take the whole vehicle out of service, but it can easily and simply be provided with a new motor.

In dense city traffic, where elevating the coach above all other traffic is wanted, the track system is based on the principle of double, towards each other situated railway tracks, turned upwards and upside down, respectively, in order to control the forces working sideways in the bends. At any other traffic conventional tracks are used.

The track system, the switches etc. are built in a usual way. This means that the vehicles of the transport system can be driven on underground tracks as well as on tram tracks, but also on regular railway tracks. The latter is preferably used when a vehicle is to be transported along longer distances, for instance at the first time delivery from the factory to the destination of use.

Under ground level, beneath the tracks, a preferably asphalted service tunnel is situated, with room for small electric service cars.

On regular distances from each other special enlargements under ground are situated, service depots, where exchange motors are parked. These can easily and quickly be reached, with no traffic problems, with electric cars via the service tunnel.

Other local government service, such as electricity, telecommunication, cable TV, district heating, district cooling, drainage and water supply etc. can, as required, be installed in especially constructed longitudinal compartments on each side of the service tunnel. This means that service of or changes of these systems can be performed with direct access from the service tunnels, i.e. there is in principle no need ever to excavate the streets again.

The development in inner city areas with dense traffic is performed street by street. In the suburbs the development can be performed gradually; the system can first be built and run as common railbound traffic above ground, and then later, when needed, bit by bit be developed with subterranean installations. Under ground level the culvert system is built in sections, with ready-made caisson like concrete elements with service tunnel, drainage etc. In these concrete elements, then the technical systems are placed for the tracks as well as for electricity/tele/cable TV/district heating/district cooling/drainage and water supply etc.

These systems can be installed after the street has been filled in on top of the concrete elements. In this way the time the street has to be closed for traffic can be reduced.

The streets where the transport system is to be used must be adapted in certain ways. To begin with, the security profile for the openings of the slits, with regard to other traffic - especially pedestrians and cyclists - must be chosen depending on type of street.

In the middle of the street there is a choice between the alternatives longitudinal railing, refuge, kerbstone, or just steel edged slits. The openings of the slits can also be covered by flaps or similar, which are constructed so that they normally cover the opening of the slit, but when a vehicle passes, they automatically open (are pushed aside, are folded upwards or downwards).

Special adjustments for running under viaducts etc. is normally not needed - the transport system then simply lowers the coach to street level, and is then not higher than a regular city bus. For this purpose special detectors can be used; these sense the height of any obstacles when approaching, and make adjustments during running.

The streetlighting must be placed on lampposts, or on the housewalls, not hanging on wires across the streets.

The stops can be given many different designs depending on the circumstances. When running on the street level (e.g. in suburbs) platforms can be located as usual between or on each side of the tracks. When running in an elevated position the stops can be located on a higher level, or on the ground level. When using stops on a higher level, the platforms are located between or on each side of the tracks, as an alternative the stops can be located in a building, where the coach stops close to the building (in all these cases the stops are reached from the street level by stairs/escalators or lifts). When using stops on the ground level the coach is lowered from the elevated position to the street level, for getting on and off.

In already existing busy cities the latter solution should be the most common, and there are many alternatives in locating the platforms, all of them used today in regular bus traffic: with built-up refuges between or on each side of the tracks in the middle of the street, or at the side of the street against the pavement, alternatively in chamfered "pockets' in the pavement.

In the case where the coach must be lowered to the street level for getting on and off, the stops preferably can be located immediately after crossings. Then the traffic lights can be adjusted in the way that the transport system gets a light of its own for passing, which allows the coach to be lowered during the actual passing through the crossing without having any other traffic in its way, after which the coach, having been lowered to the street level, slides to the stop. This type of stops directly after crossings with especially adjusted signals is already in use today for buses at certain crossings in Stockholm.

When using other constructions for going by train/tram at an elevated level, such as monorail, magnetic trains or similar, there are always, for those living around, disturbing stationary constructions such as pillars, girders, hanging tracks etc. The transport system has none of these stationary constructions above ground. The coach therefore will affect the surroundings only when it is passing.

At the moment when a vehicle is passing, though, the surroundings are affected, for instance in the way that there in some cases could be a certain view from the coach into the adjacent houses.

In order to avoid this type of view in especially sensitive spots - at for instance stops, where the vehicle is standing still - a special type of chemical glass can be used, making the coaches windows to shade in the moment it passes, thus limiting the view through certain windows or through all windows at one or both sides of the coach, as desired. This can be performed automatically.

The transport system presents a new type of vehicle for city traffic, and therefore it is important to provide the system with a series of new solutions offering the best possible traffic safety.

Examples of this are: special refuges are built at suitable locations, as well as railing or other precautional constructions wherever needed; If someone drops a small or a large object into the slit (mischief, or even attempted sabotage), nothing will happen - the system below ground level is constructed in the way that whatever is dropped will disappear straight down to a lower level, where it can be cleared out;

At certain crossings the transport system has a light of its own, where no other traffic is allowed to pass at the same time, in the way that is used today for certain bus lines;

The coachwork, and especially the foldable legs at the street level, are provided with warning flashlights when driving;

Since the vehicle is driven so silently also an artificial sound can be used, in the way used today for certain electric cars; The foldable legs are on their respective fronts on the street level provided with special sliding contacts, a "tongue of a shoe", which like a kind of a snowplough lifts away any possible obstacles;

The transport system is provided with a number of detectors which, when lowering the coach, are sensing any possible obstacles underneath, thus activating a special automatic stop system, immediately interrupting the descending movement.

The safety is well provided for, so that the driver gets a good general view of the traffic, with an open visual field downwards. The vehicle can be equipped with cameras beneath and on the sides of the coach, offering the driver full control of the situation in all directions via monitors. All passenger seats should be equipped with safety belts.

The environmental advantages are obvious: The use of electric power only, which means that the transport system according to the invention is fully equivalent to underground, trains, commuter trains and trams; The bus lines along the same routes can be eliminated, which means less pollution as well as less crowding for all other traffic; The passenger comfort is improved, with an almost non-jolting ride and a better outlook.

The use of electric power only gives the same energy advantages as for other railbound traffic. No discharging of toxic substances injurious to the city environment is taking place.

Having the tracks under ground and the coachwork up in the air makes the ride almost independent of the predominant weather, avoiding problems such as heavy snowing, wet leaves on the tracks etc.

Apart from the fact that the intervals of the traffic lights of course must be considered, the transport system will be almost independent of all other traffic, an advantage especially during rush-hour traffic. The bus lines along the same routes can be eliminated, which means more space for all other traffic.

Apart from considering the traffic lights the transport system according to the invention is almost independent of all other traffic, which makes it much easier to reduce the travelling time as well as keep to time. The system also, when needed, offers the possibility to use an increased frequency of services without affecting all other traffic.

The system can also be used to solve the big problems with goods carrying to shops and other companies in the inner cities.

For this purpose, a coach unit can comprise a base plate only without a coachwork. Upon the base plate a lorry carrying goods can be driven. It is also possible to develop a special new system where several small electric cars are driven onto the base plate, e.g. crosswise, to be picked up by for this purpose especially licensed drivers/receivers. All such goods carrying transports can, using a sophisticated system for driving on and off, be run on schedule, between the other vehicles.

Building the transport system will probably be more expensive than building a tram system, but considerably cheaper than building a new underground. Also, it is cheaper than building new traffic routes, bridges etc. in order to deal with the constantly increasing amount of traffic. Furthermore it is, in a longer perspective, a cheap and lasting solution for a town district/city/region to solve its infrastructural problems concerning electricity, telecommunication, cable TV, district heating, district cooling, drainage and water supply etc.

The transport system according to the invention is basically a public transport system.