초록 ▼

A high-speed ground transportation system wherein a vehicle rides on a film of air and is propelled as a free piston through a tunnel by pneumatic pressure. Seals on the vehicle create fluid communication between a high pressure area behind the vehicle and the area beneath the vehicle while preventi

A high-speed ground transportation system wherein a vehicle rides on a film of air and is propelled as a free piston through a tunnel by pneumatic pressure. Seals on the vehicle create fluid communication between a high pressure area behind the vehicle and the area beneath the vehicle while preventing fluid communication between that high pressure area and an evacuated area located in front of the vehicle, to create an air film beneath the vehicle upon which it rides. Cargo handling means are located near the tunnel and shunting means enable the vehicle to be shunted into those cargo handling areas when desired. Booster stations located at selected points serve to increase a pressure differential across a vehicle to assist that vehicle when necessary, and magnetic means are used to maintain the vehicle in a upright orientation as it is propelled through a tunnel.

대표청구항 ▼

A high-speed ground transportation system comprising: a gas-filled tunnel having wheel ways defined therein; a vehicle located in said tunnel; means operatively connected with said tunnel for selectively pressurizing and evacuating portions of said tunnel to create a pressure differential across the

A high-speed ground transportation system comprising: a gas-filled tunnel having wheel ways defined therein; a vehicle located in said tunnel; means operatively connected with said tunnel for selectively pressurizing and evacuating portions of said tunnel to create a pressure differential across the vehicle located therein to propel said vehicle therethrough; said vehicle having a top and bottom and upright seal means slidably contacting said tunnel and positioned on said vehicle in a manner such that said vehicle top is exposed to an evacuated portion of said tunnel and said vehicle bottom is exposed to a pressurized portion of said tunnel so that pressurized gas is located beneath said vehicle to create a gas film on which said vehicle rides as it is propelled through said tunnel, said gas film being the sole means for supporting said vehicle during movement of said vehicle on said gas film, and a horizontal seal positioned on said vehicle to separate said top from said bottom, said horizontal seal being flexible to allow vertical movement of said vehicle; a plurality of wheels mounted on said vehicle for supporting same when said vehicle is not supported on said gas film, said wheels being mounted on said vehicle to be located in said tunnel wheelways; and a magnetic stabilizing means for stabilizing said vehicle and including first field generating means mounted on said vehicle, first field producing means mounted on said tunnel to cooperate with said first field generating means, second field producing means mounted on said vehicle wheels, and second field generating means located in said tunnel wheelways to cooperate with said second field producing means to maintain said vehicle stable.