초록 ▼

A vehicle system for high-speed passenger transport between metropolitan centers comprises a guideway having a pair of parallel guideway tubes; a plurality of carriages levitated and propelled by pressurized air stored within one or both tubes; and a passenger car connected to ride atop the carriage

A vehicle system for high-speed passenger transport between metropolitan centers comprises a guideway having a pair of parallel guideway tubes; a plurality of carriages levitated and propelled by pressurized air stored within one or both tubes; and a passenger car connected to ride atop the carriages and tilt relative thereto. The passenger car and carriages cooperate to define lateral air cushion zones under the floor of the passenger car for supporting and tilting the passenger car by air pressure. The carriages have pluralities of lift cells partially surrounding each guideway tube, with active peripheral skirts for minimizing air leakage. Pressurized air stored within the guideway is used to supply the lift cells and cushion zones, and also to propel and brake the carriages. Ram air is collected during vehicle motion to help supply the lift cells and cushion zones.

대표청구항 ▼

[ What is claimed is:] [13.] A vehicle system comprising:a guideway including a pair of parallel guideway tubes, at least one of said guideway tubes containing pressurized air and having a plurality of levitation valves spaced along the length thereof for selectively discharging air from said guidew

[ What is claimed is:] [13.] A vehicle system comprising:a guideway including a pair of parallel guideway tubes, at least one of said guideway tubes containing pressurized air and having a plurality of levitation valves spaced along the length thereof for selectively discharging air from said guideway tube;a carriage adapted for travel along said guideway, said carriage including a first plurality of lift cells arranged circumferentially about a portion of one of said pair of guideway tubes and opening toward an outer surface of said one guideway tube, a second plurality of lift cells arranged circumferentially about a portion of another of said pair of guideway tubes and opening toward an outer surface of said another guideway tube, a collector duct arranged to receive air from said plurality of levitation valves, and supply duct means for transporting air from said collector duct to said first and second pluralities of lift cells to support said carriage above said guideway tubes on a cushion of air;active skirt means defining the peripheral sides of each of said first and second pluralities of lift cells, said skirt means being adjustable in height to accommodate changes in lift cell height, and said skirt means having a bottom edge biased to remain in close proximity to said outer surface of said guideway tube associated therewith;a passenger car connected to said carriage for travel therewith; andcell pressure control means for increasing and decreasing air pressure within said lift cells to support said carriage and said passenger car in response to varying load distributions of said carriage and said passenger car and surface variations in said guideway.