Abstract: A high speed ground transportation system, is suspended in an underground vacuum tube by a frictionless magnetic suspension system and propelled by gravity. The tubes are suspended inside deep underground tunnels from anchor points near each adjacent station and follow smooth catenary curves similar to the main suspension cables of a suspension bridge. Gravity propulsion is accomplished by allowing the vehicle to coast down the descending arc of the tube, during which time it is accelerated by gravity, and decelerating by gravitational braking while coasting up the tube's ascending arc. Thus, the trip is accomplished by transforming the vehicle's gravitational potential energy at one station into kinetic energy and back into gravitational potential energy at the next station. Excess kinetic energy arising from coasting between stations having different elevations is supplied or absorbed by on-board linear motor/generators that provide supplementary propulsion or regenerative braking.

Abstract: The invention described herein is an orbiting solar powered, energy collecting, storage and transmitting station. Initially, a large array of solar cells collects and transforms radiant solar energy into moderate amounts of electrical current. This electrical current is fed into a large superconducting coil where it is gradually built up to very high values. The electrical energy is thereby converted and stored in the resulting magnetic field. This magnetic energy is extracted by drawing off the current at very high rates and used to energize a laser or microwave generator for wireless power transmission. Since the discharge of the superconducting coil can proceed at rates many times greater than the charging rate, the resulting beamed power can, over short time intervals, be many times greater than the rate of solar radiation falling on the solar array. Alternatively, the energy can be stored gradually in rotating flywheels for fast rate beaming.

Abstract: A rapid transit system in which a vehicle, typically consisting of a train of detachably coupled cars, is suspended in a vacuum tunnel with at least two sloping reaches from a ferromagnetic monorail of high resistivity by magnetic attraction and propelled by gravity. Servo-controlled electromagnets allow the vehicle to be suspended from the rail without actually being in contact with it or any other part of the tunnel. Propulsion by gravity from one station to the next is accomplished by allowing the vehicle to coast frictionlessly down one sloping reach of the tunnel during which time it is automatically accelerated, leveling off at the horizontal reach at some cruising depth where it coasts along at an essentially constant maximum speed, and then moving up the next sloping reach toward the second station during which time it is automatically decelerated, and finally stopping at the station where the original elevation is reached.

Abstract: A rapid transit system in which a vehicle, typically comprising a train of detachably coupled cars, is suspended in an underground vacuum tunnel by permanent magnetic rails of high coercivity and propelled by gravity. For closely spaced stations, such as in urban areas, the connecting tunnel paths are smooth continuous curves, lying essentially in the vertical planes connecting adjacent stations. For widely separated stations, such as in inter-city transit systems, the tunnel paths have horizontal reaches at their maximum depth, joined at the ends by smooth paths which arc up towards each station. The magnetic suspension and the vacuum environment enables the vehicle to move frictionlessly at high speeds without contacting the rails or any other part of the tunnel.