Nuclear locomotive

• US 20090283007A1
• Filed: 05/14/2008
• Published: 11/19/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 05/14/2008
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: William Gregory Taylor
• Original Assignee: William Gregory Taylor
• Inventors: Taylor, William Gregory
• Application Number:
  US12/152,245
• Publication Number:
  US 20090283007A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 104/281
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 13/04 Magnetic suspension or levitation for vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2200/26 Rail vehicles

Abstract

This device is a magnetically levitated (maglev) locomotive powered by an onboard nuclear reactor. The locomotive carries a small portable nuclear reactor that heats a fluid to boiling, and passes it through electric turbine engines to produce electric power. The fluid/steam then recirculates through cooling radiators condensing it back to liquid before it passes back into the reactors again. The electric power is used to power and cool the onboard electromagnets, which oppose passive permanent magnets or magnetic coils in the roadbed. The onboard reactor is capable of providing greater electrical power than previously described maglev systems. This, in turn, provides greater power to the superconducting electromagnets, which translates into greater lift capacity and greater speed.

Claims

1. A vehicle powered by electricity generated by one or more onboard nuclear reactors.

2. The device according to claim 1, wherein the nuclear reactors are fitted with a closed system of steam production and condensation back to a fluid state.

3. The device according to claim 1, wherein the electricity generated is directed to onboard electromagnets that induce a magnetic pole in said magnets.

4. The device according to claim 1, wherein the said electromagnets are designed to have a pole opposite to those embedded in the underlying roadbed.

7. The device according to claim 1, wherein the vehicle is equipped with a set of retractable wheels.

8. The device according to claim 1, wherein the retractable wheels can be used when the electromagnetic levitation and propulsion systems are not in use.

5. The device rides over a custom designed roadbed.

6. The roadbed according to claim 5, wherein the roadbed is embedded with passive magnets or stators of opposite pole to those in said vehicle.