Abstract: A system and method are disclosed enabling the use of electromagnetic engines to traverse a wheeled bogie assembly across a plurality of rails. The electromagnetic engines may be used within a rail assembly comprising four rails and a frog assembly. Further, the electromagnetic engines may be used to traverse between a straight path and a turnout path at a non-moving rail switch having a frog assembly. In one aspect, an algorithm for powering various coils is disclosed wherein the algorithm controls the power level to switch tracks connected to the frog assembly.

Abstract: A system and method for scanning and evaluating a portion of rail operable for travel by a wheeled bogie having a plurality of electromagnetic engines. The electromagnetic engines are generally operable to generate an electromagnetic field that is operable to penetrate a rail. A resulting eddy current may be generated that is further operable to penetrate the rail. As the electromagnetic engines travel along the rail, readings from the electromagnetic field and resulting eddy current may be used to detect differences in the rail as measured with respect to a nominal rail. The defects detected may be head checks, cracks, corrosion, etc. Further, a treated rail section may be utilized to strengthen the rail itself without compromising non-destructive evaluation. The disclosed system and method may be embodied as a computer program product.

Abstract: A system and method for performing braking operations on a hyperloop pod are disclosed herein. The hyperloop pod may have a secondary braking system, wherein the secondary braking system may be operable to provide a first braking force. The hyperloop pod may have a transponder communication system and a line-of-sight system, wherein the line-of-sight system may be operable to detect a second hyperloop pod at a line-of-sight distance. The hyperloop pod may have a memory and a processor operable to detect a second hyperloop pod and determine a collision margin between the hyperloop pod and the second hyperloop pod. The hyperloop pod may engage the secondary braking system if a safety margin is equal to or greater than the collision margin.

Abstract: An electromagnetic machine for generating force is provided. The electromagnetic machine includes a magnet having opposing sides extending along a longitudinal axis. The electromagnetic machine includes a pair of ferromagnetic bodies respectively extending along the opposing sides of the magnet, and along the longitudinal axis, each of the ferromagnetic bodies comprising: a back-iron portion; and a pole portion extending from the back-iron portion. The magnet and the ferromagnetic bodies include reciprocal retention devices at the opposing sides along the longitudinal axis. The electromagnetic machine includes electrical windings around respective pole portions of the ferromagnetic bodies, the electrical windings around the respective pole portions being independently controllable. The electromagnetic machine includes at least one cold plate configured to thermally isolate the magnet from the electrical windings.

Abstract: Electrical windings for a low-pressure environment are provided. The electrical windings include a body having an aperture and electrical conductors wound about the aperture in the body; a conductive layer at the body, the conductive layer arranged to electrically shield the electrical conductors; electrical connectors at one or more external sides of the body, the electrical connectors electrically connected to the electrical conductors; an insulating housing containing electrical connections between the electrical connectors and the electrical conductors; a conducting faceplate at the insulating housing, grounding portions of the electrical connectors attached to the conducting faceplate; and a conductive coating on the insulating housing, the conductive coating electrically connected to the conducting faceplate and the conductive layer.

Abstract: Replaceable windings (101) for an electromagnetic machine (100) are provided. A replaceable winding (101) comprises a body (107) having a longitudinal axis (105), the body (107) comprising opposing surfaces along the longitudinal axis (105). The replaceable winding (101) further comprises an aperture (119) through the body (107), between the opposing surfaces, the aperture (119) having generally parallel internal sides about perpendicular to the opposing surfaces of the body (107), the aperture (119) configured to removably received a pole portion (109) of the electromagnetic machine (100). The replaceable winding (101) further comprises electrical conductors wound about the aperture (119) in the body (107). The replaceable winding (101) further comprises electrical connectors (123) at one or more external sides of the body (107), the electrical connectors (123) connected to the electrical conductors.

Abstract: Homopolar linear synchronous machines are provided herein that include a mover device. The mover device includes a cold plate with ferromagnetic cores extending through slots in the cold plate. Layers of armature coils are located around the ferromagnetic cores on opposite sides of the cold plate. The mover device further includes at least one field coil.

Abstract: Magnet array structure includes a first linear magnet array and a second linear magnet array having a first and a second arrangement of magnets, respectively, in which the first and the second arrangement of magnets are repeated along respective lengths of the first and second linear magnet array. The first and second arrangement of magnets include respective individual first and second magnet elements arranged along the respective length of the first and second linear magnet array so that no net magnetic forces parallel to the length of the first and second linear magnet array result on the first and second arrangement of magnets, respectively. The first arrangement of magnets is offset from the second arrangement of magnets so that the first arrangement of magnets and the second arrangement of magnets partially overlap.

Abstract: A channel segment for a track of a mover device is provided, the channel segment comprising: opposite ends joined by a body forming a magnetic flux pathway between the opposite ends, the magnetic flux pathway being one or more of C-shaped, U-shaped and horseshoe shaped between the opposite ends, the opposite ends forming respective transverse magnetic flux pathways about perpendicular to the magnetic flux pathway; laminations of ferromagnetic material forming the body, the laminations about parallel to the magnetic flux pathway and about perpendicular to the respective transverse magnetic flux pathways; shear pins through the laminations, the shear pins positioned to reduce eddy currents one or more of in and around the shear pins; and a retention mechanism at the opposite ends, the retention mechanism configured to transversely fasten the laminations together at the opposite ends while remaining insulated from each other.

Abstract: A system and method for performing braking operations on a hyperloop pod are disclosed herein. The hyperloop pod may have a secondary braking system, wherein the secondary braking system may be operable to provide a first braking force. The hyperloop pod may have a transponder communication system and a line-of-sight system, wherein the line-of-sight system may be operable to detect a second hyperloop pod at a line-of-sight distance. The hyperloop pod may have a memory and a processor operable to detect a second hyperloop pod and determine a collision margin between the hyperloop pod and the second hyperloop pod. The hyperloop pod may engage the secondary braking system if a safety margin is equal to or greater than the collision margin.

Abstract: A cargo container loading and unloading system for a transportation system, the cargo container loading and unloading system including a loading zone; and at least one opening connecting the loading zone to a transportation tube of the transportation system.

Abstract: A modular loading and unloading system for a high-speed transportation system, the system including an airlock loading zone, at least one airlock arranged in the airlock loading zone and connecting the airlock loading zone to a transportation tube of the high-speed transportation system. The airlock loading zone is configured to receive a plurality of capsules, payloads, and/or cars, and is operable to arrange the plurality of capsules, payloads, and/or cars for insertion into a high-speed transportation vehicle arranged in the airlock.

Abstract: A magnetic bearing system for controlling magnetic coupling between a mobile carriage and a guideway. The magnetic bearing system includes at least two engines successively arranged in a travel direction, wherein each of the at least two engines comprises at least two poles. The at least two engines have centerlines in the travel direction that are fixedly offset from each other, and the at least two engines are configured to be magnetically coupled to the guideway through air gaps.

Abstract: An active control system for a mass traveling along a guideway and method for active control of a mass traveling along a guideway. The active control system includes at least one displacement sensor and at least one motion sensor. Signals from the at least one displacement sensor and the least one motion sensor are processed to adjust a displacement of a reference location on the mass from a fixed reference.

Abstract: Disclosed is a machine having a moving member. The moving member including a cold plate having a plurality of slots through the cold plate. The moving member also including a plurality of ferromagnetic cores coupled to the cold plate, each of the plurality of ferromagnetic cores protruding through a respective one of the plurality of slots, creating gaps between the plurality of ferromagnetic cores. The moving member also including a plurality of armature windings coupled to the cold plate, the plurality of armature windings occupying the gaps between the plurality of ferromagnetic cores.

Abstract: A soft capture system for moving a transportation vehicle to an airdock in a high-speed, low-pressure transportation system, wherein the airdock provides a pathway for off-loading and loading of passengers and/or cargo to the transportation vehicle. he soft capture system includes a movement system operable to reduce a gap between the transportation vehicle and the airdock and to align the airdock with a door of the transportation vehicle.

Abstract: An airdock for connecting a transportation vehicle to a loading area in a high-speed, low-pressure transportation system. The airdock includes a pathway for off-loading and loading of passengers and/or cargo to the transportation vehicle. The airdock is operable to maintain the transportation vehicle in a low-pressure environment of the transportation system while providing the pathway through the low-pressure environment.

Abstract: Magnet array structure includes a first linear magnet array and a second linear magnet array having a first and a second arrangement of magnets, respectively, in which the first and the second arrangement of magnets are repeated along respective lengths of the first and second linear magnet array. The first and second arrangement of magnets include respective individual first and second magnet elements arranged along the respective length of the first and second linear magnet array so that no net magnetic forces parallel to the length of the first and second linear magnet array result on the first and second arrangement of magnets, respectively. The first arrangement of magnets is offset from the second arrangement of magnets so that the first arrangement of magnets and the second arrangement of magnets partially overlap.

Abstract: A hard capture system for securing a transportation vehicle to an airdock in a high-speed, low-pressure transportation system, wherein the airdock provides a pathway for off-loading and loading of passengers and/or cargo to the transportation vehicle. The hard capture system includes a plurality of latches operable to maintain the transportation vehicle in a fixed position relative to the airdock.

Abstract: A pod bay for receiving at least one transportation vehicle for connection with at least one airdock in a high-speed, low-pressure transportation system, wherein the airdock provides a pathway for off-loading and loading of passengers and/or cargo to the transportation vehicle. The pod bay includes a housing and at least one airdock. The pod bay is operable to maintain the transportation vehicle in a low-pressure environment of the transportation system while connecting the transportation vehicle via the at least one airdock to a boarding area.