초록 ▼

Propulsion apparatus for a transportation system vehicle. At least one gas producer is mounted on the vehicle for discharging a propulsive fluid stream. The propulsive fluid stream is directed against at least one longitudinally extending linear turbine assembly to propel the vehicle. A manifold del

Propulsion apparatus for a transportation system vehicle. At least one gas producer is mounted on the vehicle for discharging a propulsive fluid stream. The propulsive fluid stream is directed against at least one longitudinally extending linear turbine assembly to propel the vehicle. A manifold delivers the propulsive fluid stream to the linear turbine assembly. A plenum beneath the vehicle receives the propulsive fluid stream from the linear turbine assembly to support the vehicle on a gascushion. Each linear turbine assembly includes cooperating nozzle blades and turbine blades mounted on the vehicle. Each nozzle blade has a longitudinal axis which is transverse of the fluid stream, the longitudinal axes of the nozzle blades all being substantially parallel to one another and to the longitudinal axes of each of the turbine blades, all of the turbine blades being substantially equally spaced from the nozzle blades. A plurality of ground-based stator blades having longitudinal axes which are substantially parallel to and equally spaced from the turbine blades and from the nozzle blades are positioned intermediate the turbine blades and the nozzle blades. In another embodiment, two linear turbine assemblies are oppositely directed and a valve assembly receives and selectively directs the propulsive fluid stream to a first linear turbine assembly to propel the vehicle in a forward direction and to a second, oppositely-directed linear turbine assembly to propel the vehicle in a reverse direction. In another embodiment, the vehicle includes laterally extending reverse flow nozzles mounted to the base of the vehicle above the plenum for selectively receiving the propulsive fluid stream to generate reversing or braking forces.

대표청구항 ▼

A linear turbine propulsion system for a vehicle operating on a track, comprising: gas producer means mounted on said vehicle for producing a propulsive fluid stream; first linear turbine means mounted on said vehicle and extending longitudinally along a length of said vehicle for receiving said pro

A linear turbine propulsion system for a vehicle operating on a track, comprising: gas producer means mounted on said vehicle for producing a propulsive fluid stream; first linear turbine means mounted on said vehicle and extending longitudinally along a length of said vehicle for receiving said propulsive fluid stream and redirecting a flow of said propulsive fluid stream to a first flow direction, whereby propulsive force is applied to said vehicle; means mounted on said vehicle for delivering said propulsive fluid stream from said gas producer means to said first linear turbine means, said means for delivering comprising at least one of a manifold mounted on said vehicle connecting said gas producer means and said first linear turbine means, valve means mounted on said vehicle for selectively directing said flow of said propulsive fluid stream from said manifold to a first portion of said first linear turbine means, whereby said propulsive force propels said vehicle in a forward direction along said track, and to a second portion of said first linear turbine means, whereby said propulsive force applies braking force and propels said vehicle in a rearward direction along said track, and closure door means mounted on said vehicle for selectively directing said flow of said propulsive fluid stream from said manifold to said first portion of said first linear turbine means and blocking said flow of said propulsive fluid stream from said second portion of said first linear, whereby said propulsive force propels said vehicle in said forward direction, and for selectively directing said flow of said propulsive fluid stream from said manifold to said second portion of said first linear turbine means and blocking said flow of said propulsive fluid stream from said first portion of said first linear turbine means, whereby said propulsive force applies said braking force and propels said vehicle in said rearward direction; stator blade means mounted to said track along its length for receiving said flow of said propulsive fluid stream from said first linear turbine means and for substantially reversing said flow of said propulsion fluid stream to a second flow direction whereby additional propulsive force is applied to said vehicle; second linear turbine means mounted on said vehicle extending longitudinally along said length in a parallel and spaced apart relation with said first linear turbine means, said stator blade means extending between and parallel to said first and second linear turbine means, for receiving said flow of said propulsive fluid stream from said stator blade means and for redirecting said flow of said propulsive fluid stream to a third flow direction, whereby final propulsive force is applied to said vehicle; plenum means extending beneath said vehicle for receiving said flow of said propulsive fluid stream from said second linear turbine means, said plenum means defining a gascushion of said received propulsive fluid stream for support of said vehicle; means for vertically supporting said vehicle on said track, comprising at least one of said plenum means, magnetic levitation means mounted to said vehicle and to said track for applying vertical magnetic support force to said vehicle, and wheel means mounted to said vehicle for engaging a rail mounted to said track, whereby wheel-on-rail support force is applied to said vehicle; and, means for laterally restraining said vehicle on said track, comprising at least one of said magnetic levitation means, and said wheel means.