Pneumatic mass transportation system
First Claim
1. A pneumatic transportation system comprisinga tubular pathway forming a travel path, said tubular pathway having a first end and an opposite second end;
- anda multi-car vehicle within said tubular pathway, said multi-car vehicle traveling in response to a pressure differential within the tubular pathway, said multi-car vehicle having a plurality of guide wheels; and
a power system comprising;
a plurality of turbines, including a first turbine located adjacent to the first end of the tubular pathway, and a second turbine located adjacent to the second end of the tubular pathway; and
a plurality of heat recovery steam generators, including a first heat recovery steam generator operably coupled to the first turbine, and a second heat recovery steam generator operably coupled to the second turbine; and
a plurality of pneumatic impellers, including a first pneumatic impeller mechanically driven by the first turbine, said first pneumatic impeller being located at the first end of the tubular pathway, and a second pneumatic impeller mechanically driven by the second turbine, said second pneumatic impeller being located at the second end of the tubular pathway.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A pneumatic mass transportation system employs a combined cycle turbine power system with digital controls to effect acceleration, deceleration and train propulsion. Combustion turbines can be adapted to use alternative fuels including bio fuels as they are developed. A heat recover steam generator recycles hot exhaust gasses from turbines to generate electricity to be used by the system. A multi-car train is propelled by differential air pressure forward and aft of the vehicle in a pneumatic tube. Air propulsion is achieved by large in-tube impellers driven by the turbines. A digital control system controls turbine speed, pitch of impeller blades and vacuum/pressure release valves in the tubes to maneuver and control the train.
54 Citations
6 Claims
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1. A pneumatic transportation system comprising
a tubular pathway forming a travel path, said tubular pathway having a first end and an opposite second end; - and
a multi-car vehicle within said tubular pathway, said multi-car vehicle traveling in response to a pressure differential within the tubular pathway, said multi-car vehicle having a plurality of guide wheels; and a power system comprising; a plurality of turbines, including a first turbine located adjacent to the first end of the tubular pathway, and a second turbine located adjacent to the second end of the tubular pathway; and a plurality of heat recovery steam generators, including a first heat recovery steam generator operably coupled to the first turbine, and a second heat recovery steam generator operably coupled to the second turbine; and a plurality of pneumatic impellers, including a first pneumatic impeller mechanically driven by the first turbine, said first pneumatic impeller being located at the first end of the tubular pathway, and a second pneumatic impeller mechanically driven by the second turbine, said second pneumatic impeller being located at the second end of the tubular pathway. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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Specification