tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4063450658421522356.post8548509886886262590..comments2024-03-09T04:13:55.185-06:00Comments on Open PRT specification project: 79> Somethin's Buggin' Me...Danhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16303568401426087509noreply@blogger.comBlogger7125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4063450658421522356.post-50979443357978752014-02-23T17:42:52.469-06:002014-02-23T17:42:52.469-06:00worth a consideration is the last comment of cmfse...worth a consideration is the last comment of cmfseattle concerning rotation of 90° : the "pods" are a smaller in width than in lenght: that would reduce the lenght of the arm.<br />that faculty to rotate the cabin between arm and roof was already suggested in post 52 concerning the wishbone design.an-148noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4063450658421522356.post-21318907907990685212010-04-06T02:51:14.824-05:002010-04-06T02:51:14.824-05:00I'd opt for either a rotating/telescoping arm ...I'd opt for either a rotating/telescoping arm to keep the height down at stations or just living with extra height(after all new buildings constructed can factor the height into their design and it's not that likely for older buildings to retrofit every floor with PRT stations.) rather than making stations inaccessible to high-speed >=100mph pods.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01518049187596170410noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4063450658421522356.post-63333768184844326612010-04-01T04:58:16.031-05:002010-04-01T04:58:16.031-05:00could the vehicle body be rotated 90 degrees (arou...could the vehicle body be rotated 90 degrees (around the vertical axis) before descent and after ascent?cmfseattlenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4063450658421522356.post-56328311615188616892010-03-31T22:27:12.930-05:002010-03-31T22:27:12.930-05:00Alfransen, I like to leave capabilities intact unt...Alfransen, I like to leave capabilities intact until there is a compelling reason to give up on them. I have been looking at the concept of vertical guideways (and the associated swing-arm on the vehicles) as such case. I like it, but I’m not married to it. The fact is that the swing arms make the whole system need to be taller, and that has a price. In the last few posts I have been reminded of this in regards to overpasses and now use in typical buildings. For what? It must be remembered that adding any kind of hardware on to a whole fleet is very costly, and I have yet to make the case that vertical capability is even going to be extensively used. Very steep might be just as good 95% of the time. For the other 5%, yes, there are other means, like in the clip. (BTW, Note the crossed cables… They help with the forces on the admittedly tiny stabilizer bar.) You are right about the speed of passenger turnaround. I’ll quit here because I think I ought to frame these issues a bit better in a full post.Danhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16303568401426087509noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4063450658421522356.post-68261012081812574412010-03-31T16:55:37.942-05:002010-03-31T16:55:37.942-05:00I don't know about that elevator idea that is ...I don't know about that elevator idea that is depicted in the video. It seems to be putting a lot of trust in that mechanical connection. I don't like the idea of dual mode, anyway. <br /><br />Are you suggesting that vehicles be lowered to the ground in this fashion for boarding/debarking at stations rather than having the guideway descend? Not sure I like the implications for loading time that that entails. It might be less visually intrusive though.Andrew Fhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09182432042622426328noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4063450658421522356.post-31243257492048037822010-03-30T23:12:56.162-05:002010-03-30T23:12:56.162-05:00Dan The Blogger Responds...finally.
Thanks for th...Dan The Blogger Responds...finally. <br />Thanks for the thoughts, Alfransen. Yes, I have considered telescoping. In a general sense it’s like the “active suspension” on that Michelin wheel motor YouTube Video, but upside down, as far as what would be employed if we wanted real control over the swinging and pitch, instead of gravity and inertia. (the latter being subject to swinging back and forth and wind gusts) It is not a stretch to imagine the system with big enough cylinders to accomplish what you are talking about. What do you think of that <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rtrB82YObXw" rel="nofollow">Bubbles and Beams</a> technique of coming down the pole? (It’s near the end, where they go dual-mode.) There is nothing mechanically difficult in achieving that- I could build it in my backyard…A bit thicker post and connecting arm and it could even incorporate a counterweight-pulley arrangement. I just have a feeling it might scare some people off. Would people even ride regular elevators if the cables were exposed? In their design there is no swing-arm at all, but it is notable that where they make the pickup in the field there is a lot of fencing and even a hill. That’s a huge footprint. I would like to be able to come down in a parking lot if at all possible, without making the owner provide anything besides the site. (no power required by the tenant or owner) This would greatly simplify negotiations, because there is nothing to lose, even if the store becomes vacant. <br /><br />Assuming we stick with the swing-arm, is there some simple joinery that can “fold out” or hinge, or must it telescope to hold the vehicle out from the vertical guideway? <br /><br />P.S. I was shy a few inches on that 4 foot estimate. In a car, part of the ease of getting in and out is because of the wheel height. If you take the wheels off of a car, so the car floor is on the ground, the seats are too low to get in and out of easily. A PRT cab is like that, and so we need higher seats, higher roofline. This makes matters worse. <br /><br />P.P.S – After considering using the vehicle as the elevator, I have to say it makes a lot of sense. It only needs to have a lift of, maybe, nine feet, and with a counterweight, that’s nothing, power consumption wise. I am actively following up on the idea. Thanks again. If I hadn’t been writing a response to your comment I might have passed this over.Danhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16303568401426087509noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4063450658421522356.post-28586753917763579632010-03-28T22:32:40.432-05:002010-03-28T22:32:40.432-05:00What about a telescoping arm? Most of the time it ...What about a telescoping arm? Most of the time it could be 'locked' in a retracted position that would limit swing to say 45 degrees, but could be lowered (at stop or low speeds) hydraulically or whatever to accommodate steeper grades? That could cut an extra foot out, too, by my rough calculation. Limiting to 30 degree swing could yield yet another foot. I imagine such a system would add some to cost, weight, complexity, etc. but if it allows us to have our cake and eat it too, it might be justified.Andrew Fhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09182432042622426328noreply@blogger.com