Importance

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Abstract

A light rail unit train combination for the transport of bulk materials consisting of a plurality of connected cars open at each end except for the first and last cars, which have end plates. The train forms a long open trough and has a flexible flap attached to each car and overlapping the car in front to prevent spillage during movement. The lead car has four wheels and tapered side drive plates in the front of the car to facilitate entry into the drive stations. The cars that follow have two wheels with a clevis hitch connecting the front to the rear of the car immediately forward. Forward motion is provided by a series of appropriately placed drive motors on either side of the track which are AC electric motors with drive means to provide frictional contact with said side drive plates. An AC inverter and controller is connected to every pair of drive motors whereby said motors are synchronized and both the voltage and frequency can be modified as needed. The electric motors each turn a tire in a horizontal plane that physically contacts two parallel side drive plates external of the wheels of each car. Pressure on the side drive plates by these drive tires converts the rotary motion of the tires into horizontal thrust. The wheels on the cars are spaced to allow operation in an inverted position by use of a double set of rails so the cars can hang upside down for unloading. By rotating this double track system the unit train can be returned to it normal operating condition.

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First Claim