Cable suspended, self leveling tram with self-propelled tractor bogie
View Patent ↗A cableway with suspended tram and remote bogie is disclosed. This includes a self-contained motor, traction and support sheaves with provision for adjusting the height of the tram below said cable for limiting vertical acceleration caused by travel along the cantenary curve of the cableway.
1. A cableway ( 1 ) and/or rail ( 6 ) suspended motorized vehicle used for the transportation of passengers and/or freight comprising;
(a) a body designed to protect passengers and freight from the elements;
(b) one or more self-propelled bogies ( 2 ) containing motors ( 21 ) means connected to one or more traction sheaves ( 9 ) which travel along the cableway ( 1 ) or rail ( 6 ) which pull and suspend the tram ( 4 ) below by an adjustable cable ( 3 ) or other adjustable attachment whereby the elevation of the tram can be raised or lowered to minimize the vertical acceleration caused by travel along a catenary draped cableway and intersecting support towers.
2. A vehicle according to claim 1 , where a rail ( 6 ) clamps the cableway ( 1 ) inside the rail and is curved in either the vertical or horizontal plane thereby decreasing the vertical acceleration and/or changing the horizontal direction of the bogie and increasing rail depth to accommodate the connection to support brackets ( 18 ) which transfer loads to a support bar ( 20 ).
3. A vehicle according to claim 1 , where the said cableway ( 1 ) is thickened by whipping ( 19 ) thereby ramping up the traction sheave ( 9 ) onto a cable clamp ( 16 ) and rail ( 6 ).
4. A vehicle according to claim 1 , where said self-propelled bogie ( 2 ) is powered by an electric motor ( 21 ) and battery ( 10 ).
5. A vehicle according to claim 1 , where said tram has one or more vertical fins ( 32 ) which counter act the wind forces and keep the tram centered under the cableway while traveling at high speed and are proximately located near the aerodynamic center of the tram.