Transverse rail switching element

Abstract

In at least one embodiment the present invention provides a transverse rail switching element for switching a rail vehicle from a first position to a transversely removed second position in a thrilling manner, having an entry track section, a vehicle shuttle adapted to receive a rail vehicle from the entry track section at the first position, a transverse track section extending from the first position to the transversely removed second position, at least one exit track section, primary propulsion means adapted to translate the rail vehicle from the vehicle shuttle to the at least one exit track section when the vehicle shuttle is in the transversely removed second position.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A transverse rail switching element for switching a rail vehicle from a first position to a transversely removed second position, comprising:
 an entry track section having at least one longitudinally extending entry rail, the entry track section located at the first position;   a vehicle shuttle having a first end, a second end, an upper surface and a lower surface and adapted to receive a rail vehicle at the first position and having at least one longitudinally extending intermediary rail on an upper surface, the at least one longitudinally extending intermediary rail communicating with the at least one longitudinally extending entry rail when the vehicle shuttle is in the first position, the upper surface of the vehicle shuttle having braking means for decelerating the rail vehicle as the rail vehicle moves from the entry rail section to the at least one longitudinally extending intermediary rail of the vehicle shuttle, the lower surface of the vehicle shuttle having a vehicle shuttle bogie;   a transverse track section extending from the first position to the transversely removed second position, the transverse track section having secondary braking means for decelerating the vehicle shuttle as it moves from the first position to the transversely removed second position, the transverse track section having at least one rail component that engages with the vehicle shuttle bogie;   at least one exit track section having at least one longitudinally extending exit rail, one of the at least one exit track section located at the transversely removed second position, the at least one longitudinally extending exit rail communicating with the at least one longitudinally extending intermediary rail when the vehicle shuttle is in the transversely removed second position;   primary propulsion means adapted to translate the rail vehicle from the vehicle shuttle to the at least one exit track section when the vehicle shuttle is in the transversely removed second position, and   the rail vehicle having at least one rail bogie on a lower surface of the rail vehicle communicating with the at least one longitudinally extending entry rail, the at least one longitudinally extending intermediary rail and the at least one longitudinally extending exit rail.   
     
     
         2 . The transverse rail switching element of  claim 1  wherein the transverse track section further comprises a generally horizontal first section, an intermediary second section and a generally horizontal third section, the transverse track section having a transverse propulsion system adapted to translate the vehicle shuttle from the generally horizontal first section to at least the intermediary second section. 
     
     
         3 . The transverse rail switching element of  claim 1  wherein the secondary braking means are continuous magnetic brake fins. 
     
     
         4 . The transverse rail switching element of  claim 1  wherein the vehicle shuttle further comprises shock absorbing means adapted to assist with deceleration of the rail vehicle when the rail vehicle moves from the entry rail section to the vehicle shuttle. 
     
     
         5 . The transverse rail switching element of  claim 1  wherein the top surface of the vehicle shuttle further comprises mechanical pinch brakes adapted to secure the rail vehicle relative to the vehicle shuttle. 
     
     
         6 . The transverse rail switching element of  claim 1  wherein at least one of the first end and the second end of the vehicle shuttle further comprises a track interlock pin mechanism for securing at least one of the first end and the second end of the vehicle shuttle to at least one of the entry track section and the at least one exit track section. The transverse rail switching element of  claim 1  including two exit track sections. 
     
     
         8 . The transverse rail switching element of  claim 1  wherein the intermediary second section is sloped downwardly such that the first position is located at a higher vertical elevation than the transversely removed second position. 
     
     
         9 . The transverse rail switching element of  claim 1  wherein at least one of the at least one rail bogie and the at least one vehicle shuttle bogie comprise at least one vertically oriented wheel and at least one horizontally oriented wheel. 
     
     
         10 . The transverse rail switching element of  claim 1  wherein the transverse propulsion means is selected from the group consisting of: a chain drive propulsion system and a linear synchronous motor. 
     
     
         11 . The transverse rail switching element of  claim 1  wherein the generally horizontal third section of the transverse track section comprises shock absorbing means adapted to assist with deceleration of the vehicle shuttle when the vehicle shuttle moves from the first position to the transversely removed second position. 
     
     
         12 . The transverse rail switching element of  claim 1  wherein the braking means are linear synchronous motor stators. 
     
     
         13 . The transverse rail switching element of  claim 1  wherein the transverse track section further comprises at least one winch means, the at least one winch means located adjacent to at least one of the entry rail section and the exit rail section. 
     
     
         14 . The transverse rail switching element of  claim 1  wherein the braking means are the primary propulsion means. 
     
     
         15 . The transverse rail switching element of  claim 14  wherein the braking means and the primary propulsion means are linear synchronous motor stators.