An electronic detent apparatus and method for simulating a mechanical detent comprises a sensor connected to a microprocessor. A servo-motor is connected to the microprocessor and has a motor drive connected to a clutch. The clutch may engage a wheel disposed upon a rail or surface to effect the simulation of a mechanical detent through the microprocessor controlled servo-motor. The method for simulating a mechanical detent comprises the steps of moving an axis and monitoring the position and velocity of the axis. The position and velocity of the axis is then compared to a pre-specified position threshold value and a pre-specified velocity threshold value using a microprocessor disposed on the axis. A servo-motor is activated to accelerate the axis to a pre-specified position using a clutch controlled by the servo-motor when the position and velocity of the axis exceed the pre-specified position and velocity threshold values. Prior to engaging the clutch, the servo-motor drive speed is adjusted to nearly match the speed of the axis. The clutch operates on a wheel that is connected to the clutch and that is disposed upon a rail. The step of monitoring the position and velocity of the axis may be limited to monitoring only the position or velocity of the axis depending on the desired control characteristics of the electronic detent.

A transport system of the dual-mode type which comprises dual-mode vehicles (1) and a monorail (2), whereby said dual-mode vehicles can run both on an ordinary roadway (10) and as rail vehicles on the monorail (2). The monorail has a substantially triangular cross-sectional profile (7) with one apex of the triangle facing upwards, and the vehicles (1) each have a downwards-facing, through-going indentation (6) in the longitudinal direction with a cross-sectional profile which corresponds substantially to the cross-sectional profile (7) of the monorail (2). Each vehicle has driving wheels (8) for running on a roadway (10) and drive- and support wheels for running on the monorail (2). The vehicle has at least two drive-wheels (13a, 13b) are placed with their axes of rotation (20a, 20b) substantially vertical, and such that at least one drive-wheel (13a, 13b) for running on the monorail is placed on each side of a substantially vertical surface of the monorail (2).

A public transportation system includes control by highly distributed communications, ultra-light transit vehicles suspended from single or dual rails and powered by electricity. The electric power supplied independently and supplemented by wind generators and solar panels. The transit vehicles, are suitable to transport from one to four persons. The system includes a plurality interconnected rails with main conduits and station conduits to provide non-stop transportation from one station to another station.

A guide wheel assembly, which can be preassembled as a single unit, is configured to be connectable to a guide frame of a rail guided vehicle. The guide wheel assembly generally includes a fixed component connectable to the guide frame and a rotating component rotatably supported on the fixed component by a bearing assembly. The elements of the fixed component, the rotating component and the bearing assembly are assembled on a shaft of the fixed component from a top or first end of the shaft. The shaft includes a support member secured at a second end of the shaft and configured to prevent the rotating component from detaching from the fixed component in the event of bearing failure.

This invention relates generally to vehicular transportation for humans and freight by roadway and railway. More specifically, this invention relates to a unique combination of a novel roadway wheel and pneumatic tire assembly, incorporating a known automatic inflate-deflate system and a novel lightweight railway wheel; both wheels then coupled and concentrically assembled on a common axle with special provisions for the known automatic inflation and deflation of the pneumatic roadway tire.