Abstract: A method and system for recovering coalbed methane are disclosed. The method involves tunneling along a seam of coal to a point below a water table and at a depth below the water table sufficient for dissolved methane to be present in the water; separating a portion of the water containing dissolved methane while below the water table; reducing pressure on the separated portion for extracting dissolved methane; removing the extracted methane; and discharging the separated portion of water after extracting dissolved methane.

Abstract: A switching system for a high-speed railway system has no moving parts on the road bed, all of the switching decisions and actions being taken aboard a vehicle travelling on the system. A pair of parallel main running rails commences to diverge at the switching point, and two pairs of parallel main running rails leave the switching point. The outer rail of each pair of outgoing rails is a continuation of one of rails incoming into the switching point. A pair of switching rails is between the main rails and each is parallel to the opposite continuing rail. The truck on a vehicle on the rail system has flange running wheels which engage the main rails. A pair of wide switching wheels has flanges closer together than the flanges on the running wheels. The switching wheels can be shifted laterally so that the flange on one of the switching wheels engages a switching rail and guides the vehicle toward the pair of main rails parallel therewith.

Abstract: The fixed magnetic structure of a linear synchronous motor for a railway system is supported above the tracks by steel ribs so that thermal expansion of the ribs is similar to expansion of steel vehicles on the railway. The moving parts of the linear synchronous motor are mounted on the vehicle so as to follow the fixed parts closely for optimum coupling of force between the fixed and moving parts.