Importance

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Abstract

The present invention relates to a Personal Rapid Transit system for transporting passengers along a pre-set guideway, and more particularly relates to a future Personal Rapid Transit vehicle braking system. A conventional braking system can not provide the large braking force required for very short headway operation under the effect of weather and environmental conditions due to variations in the available coefficients of friction at the running surfaces. In particular, the Personal Rapid Transit which is a public transportation system can not adopt the conventional braking system since the vehicles are powered by linear motors and are independent of traction. The PRT brake system comprises brake reaction rails (120) mounted on each inside of the guideway and brakes (300) acting on these brake reaction rails (120) as calipers. The brakes are automatically actuated when electric power supply is cut off, and thus can serve as parking brakes and emergency brakes. Since the braking system of the present invention is supplied with power via the strain energy stored in steel spring members, no external power source for its operation is required. Furthermore, the system comprises a redundant failure monitored brake releasing unit (380) which is driven by duplicate redundant electric motors. Accordingly, the PRT braking system of the present invention represents a highly efficient fail-safe parking or emergency brake.

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First Claim