Abstract: A transportation system includes a tube defining an interior channel. A vehicle is configured to travel through the interior channel. At least one tension support couples the tube to ground. The tension support(s) exerts tension force into the tube. The tension force exerted into the tube reduces deflection of the tube when the vehicle travels through the interior channel over the tension support(s).

Abstract: A transportation system includes a tube defining an interior channel. A vehicle is configured to travel through the interior channel. At least one tension support couples the tube to ground. The tension support(s) exerts tension force into the tube. The tension force exerted into the tube reduces deflection of the tube when the vehicle travels through the interior channel over the tension support(s).

Abstract: An aircraft wing has a plurality of wing segments mounted on a wing spar by joints that allow relative movement between the spar and the wing segments. Tuning of coefficients of thermal expansion is employed to reduce induced stresses from changes in temperature.

Abstract: A transportation system includes a first support tower, a second support tower, a suspension cable extending between the first and second support towers, and a tube defining an interior channel extending between the first and second support towers. A vehicle is configured to travel through the interior channel. A tension support member has a first end coupled to the suspension cable and a second end coupled to the first tube through an actuator. The tension support member exerts tension force to upwardly pull the first tube towards the suspension cable. The actuator adjusts the tension force when the vehicle travels through the interior channel under the tension support member to reduce deflection of the tube.

Abstract: A vacuum volume reduction system and method for reducing a volume to be evacuated at a vacuum tube vehicle station are provided. The system has a station vacuum tube in an interior of a station wall of the vacuum tube vehicle station. The station vacuum tube has a tube volume. The system has a volume reduction assembly coupled to the station vacuum tube, and a control system for radially moving the assembly to and from a vehicle outer surface of a vacuum transport tube vehicle, to engage around the vehicle outer surface, for loading and unloading of passengers and/or cargo. The system further has door seal(s), an air supply assembly, and a vent-to-vacuum assembly. The system displaces the tube volume between the station wall and the vehicle outer surface, and in turn, reduces a volume to be evacuated at the vacuum tube vehicle station.

Abstract: A transportation system includes a first support tower, a second support tower, a suspension cable extending between the first and second support towers, and a tube defining an interior channel extending between the first and second support towers. A vehicle is configured to travel through the interior channel. A tension support member has a first end coupled to the suspension cable and a second end coupled to the first tube through an actuator. The tension support member exerts tension force to upwardly pull the first tube towards the suspension cable. The actuator adjusts the tension force when the vehicle travels through the interior channel under the tension support member to reduce deflection of the tube.

Abstract: A vacuum transport tube vehicle, system, and method for evacuating a vacuum transport tube are provided. The vehicle has a first end having a first end outer surface. An annular gap is formed between the first end outer surface and an inner surface of the vacuum transport tube. The vehicle has a second end having a second end outer diameter, and a body in the form of a piston with a structural framework. The vehicle has an orifice extending from a first inlet portion in the first end to a second outlet portion of the vehicle. The vehicle has a drive assembly coupled to the body, and a power system. The vehicle evacuates the vacuum transport tube by reducing pressure within the tube with each successive vehicle pass through the tube, until a desired pressure is obtained and a vacuum is created in the interior of the tube.

Abstract: A vacuum volume reduction system and method for reducing a volume to be evacuated at a vacuum tube vehicle station are provided. The system has a station vacuum tube in an interior of a station wall of the vacuum tube vehicle station. The station vacuum tube has a tube volume. The system has a volume reduction assembly coupled to the station vacuum tube, and a control system for radially moving the assembly to and from a vehicle outer surface of a vacuum transport tube vehicle, to engage around the vehicle outer surface, for loading and unloading of passengers and/or cargo. The system further has door seal(s), an air supply assembly, and a vent-to-vacuum assembly. The system displaces the tube volume between the station wall and the vehicle outer surface, and in turn, reduces a volume to be evacuated at the vacuum tube vehicle station.

Abstract: A mechanical fitting for connecting structures may include a base structure and a plate member. The mechanical fitting may also include a support structure for supporting the plate member at a predetermined spacing from the base structure. The support structure may include a truss structure.

Abstract: A transportation system includes a tube defining an interior channel. A vehicle is configured to travel through the interior channel. At least one tension support couples the tube to ground. The tension support(s) exerts tension force into the tube. The tension force exerted into the tube reduces deflection of the tube when the vehicle travels through the interior channel over the tension support(s).

Abstract: A transportation system includes a first support tower, a second support tower, a suspension cable extending between the first and second support towers, and a tube defining an interior channel extending between the first and second support towers. A vehicle is configured to travel through the interior channel. A tension support member has a first end coupled to the suspension cable and a second end coupled to the first tube through an actuator. The tension support member exerts tension force to upwardly pull the first tube towards the suspension cable. The actuator adjusts the tension force when the vehicle travels through the interior channel under the tension support member to reduce deflection of the tube.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for analyzing a joint. The apparatus comprises a graph generator and a model generator. The graph generator forms a first graph based on a plurality of points within a region. The plurality of points represent a plurality of locations relative to a structure for a plurality of fastener devices configured to be installed in the structure to form a joint. The graph generator is configured to identify primary points and secondary points based on the first graph. The graph generator is further configured to form a second graph using the primary points, the secondary points, and the first graph. The model generator is configured to generate a two-dimensional model comprised of triangular sectors using vertices of the second graph. The two-dimensional model is configured for use in forming a mesh for use in performing finite element analysis for the joint.

Abstract: A mechanical fitting for connecting structures may include a base structure and a plate member. The mechanical fitting may also include a support structure for supporting the plate member at a predetermined spacing from the base structure. The support structure may include a truss structure.

Abstract: An aircraft wing has a plurality of wing segments mounted on a wing spar by joints that allow relative movement between the spar and the wing segments. Tuning of coefficients of thermal expansion is employed to reduce induced stresses from changes in temperature.

Abstract: Disclosed are structures and features of a space frame aircraft. In particular, this disclosure relates to a space frame aircraft with a pressure membrane.

Abstract: Disclosed are structures and features of a space frame aircraft. In particular, this disclosure relates to bracing for a space frame aircraft.

Abstract: A mechanical fitting for connecting structures may include a base structure and a plate member. The mechanical fitting may also include a support structure for supporting the plate member at a predetermined spacing from the base structure. The support structure may include a truss structure.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for analyzing a joint. The apparatus comprises a graph generator and a model generator. The graph generator forms a first graph based on a plurality of points within a region. The plurality of points represent a plurality of locations relative to a structure for a plurality of fastener devices configured to be installed in the structure to form a joint. The graph generator is configured to identify primary points and secondary points based on the first graph. The graph generator is further configured to form a second graph using the primary points, the secondary points, and the first graph. The model generator is configured to generate a two-dimensional model comprised of triangular sectors using vertices of the second graph. The two-dimensional model is configured for use in forming a mesh for use in performing finite element analysis for the joint.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for analyzing a joint. The apparatus comprises a graph generator and a model generator. The graph generator forms a first graph based on a plurality of points within a region. The plurality of points represent a plurality of locations relative to a structure for a plurality of fastener devices configured to be installed in the structure to form a joint. The graph generator is configured to identify primary points and secondary points based on the first graph. The graph generator is further configured to form a second graph using the primary points, the secondary points, and the first graph. The model generator is configured to generate a two-dimensional model comprised of triangular sectors using vertices of the second graph. The two-dimensional model is configured for use in forming a mesh for use in performing finite element analysis for the joint.

Abstract: A mechanical fitting for connecting structures may include a base structure and a plate member. The mechanical fitting may also include a support structure for supporting the plate member at a predetermined spacing from the base structure. The support structure may include a truss structure.