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.

Abstract: The disclosed solution generally relates to a hyperloop vehicle detecting objects in a hyperloop system. Hyperloop vehicles operate at incredible velocities and require robust systems to detect objects that increase the risk to a hyperloop vehicle. Transponders typically provide long-range data about the activity of downstream hyperloop vehicles. However, nearby objects require detection at line-of-sight distances in order to ensure that objects and vehicles within a given transponder interval distance are detected. The disclosed system provides an elegant solution that combines the advantages of both transponder-based object detection and sensor-based object detection.

Abstract: A solution is disclosed for a design system configured to design a transportation network comprising a hyperloop portal. The design system and associated processes are configured to enable a hyperloop designer (or operator) to generate a logical layout of a hyperloop portal. The logical layout may then be used to generate a physical layout that is based on alignment data. The alignment data generally comprises constraints imposed on the hyperloop portal. The solution further optimizes the logical layout, the physical layout, or a combination thereof to generate results for designers to review, simulate, and/or implement in the field. One manner of reviewing the physical layout is to overlay the physical layout on a real-world map.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a system is provided. The system includes a set of pallets to hold a set of parcels. The system also includes a conveyor system to move the set of pallets to and from a transportation pod. The system further includes a lift system to lift the set of pallets to different heights within the transportation pod. The system further includes a storage system to store a set of parcels. The system further includes a mechanical arm to move the set of parcels from the storage system to the set of pallets.

Abstract: A solution is disclosed related to hyperloop vehicle communication using a transponder system. The transponder system comprises a plurality of transponder subnetwork controllers configured to provide one or more pluralities of transponders with connectivity. The pluralities of transponders are disposed at intervals such that the failure of a particular transponder is mitigated based on the interval of the transponders along with the connectivity of the supporting transponder subnetwork controllers. A hyperloop vehicle is configured to interact with the transponder system such that vehicle-side safety systems may rely on the transponder system as configured. The disclosed solution provides for enhanced traffic safety for hyperloop passengers and/or cargo, thus enabling green transportation.

Abstract: A tubular structure including an outer tube an inner tube arranged within the outer tube and at least one chamber formed between the outer tube and the inner tube. The tubular structure additionally includes at least one self-healing material arranged in the chamber, wherein the self-healing material is configured to solidify and/or expand upon contact with a reacting material.

Abstract: A solution is disclosed for state estimation and motion control for a hyperloop vehicle. The solution is configured to generate a state estimation of a hyperloop vehicle while in flight. The state estimation is generated, in part, by real-time sensor data obtained from a sensor system onboard the hyperloop vehicle. Based on the state estimation, a motion execution module is configured to generate a plurality of linearized commands for a plurality of power electronic units in order to control the position and/or orientation of the hyperloop vehicle. The disclosed solution provides for safe and efficient travel using hyperloop vehicles.

Abstract: A solution is disclosed for a state estimation system and method configured for a hyperloop vehicle. Further, the state estimation system provides an estimate of the future position and/or orientation of the hyperloop vehicle such that the hyperloop vehicle can maintain safe, efficient flight during a journey. The state estimation system utilizes a number of sensors to gather data in order to perform state estimation using a Kalman filter. The state estimation is then sent to a motion execution controller such that the state estimation may be translated into commands for engines disposed throughout the hyperloop vehicle such that the position and/or orientation may be reached by hyperloop vehicle.

Abstract: A track switching arrangement for a track-based guided transportation system, wherein the track switching arrangement forms diverging pathways and enables vehicle-side switching of a vehicle in the guided transportation system. The track switching arrangement includes an upstream pathway; two downstream pathways; and a path switching transition region having the diverging pathways between the upstream pathway and the two downstream pathways. Each of the pathways includes track elements configured to interact with one or more respective bearings of the vehicle to provide levitation to the vehicle and/or guidance for the vehicle.

Abstract: A gate valve including a gate valve door moveable between an open position and a closed position; and a track bridge moveable between a lowered active position, and a raised inactive position. When the track bridge is in the raised position, the gate valve can be moved from the open position to the closed position.

Abstract: Magnet array structure includes a first linear magnet array having a plurality of consecutively arranged first Halbach arrays and a second linear magnet array having a plurality of consecutively arranged second Halbach arrays. The first linear magnet array, from a first end of the magnet array structure to a second end of the magnet array structure, having magnetic flux orientations rotating in a first direction, and the second linear magnet array, from the first end of the magnet array structure to the second end of the magnet array structure, having magnetic flux orientations rotating in a second direction that is opposite the first direction. The first linear magnet array is arranged parallel to the second linear magnet array so that, between the first and second ends of the magnet array structure, the first Halbach magnetic arrays are linearly offset from the second Halbach magnetic arrays.

Abstract: A moving member of a machine can include a cold plate that serves as a primary structural member for the moving member. The cold plate can have one or more cooling channels formed within the cold plate. A plurality of armature windings can be fixed to the cold plate. One or more field windings can be fixed to the cold plate. A plurality of ferromagnetic cores can be fixed to the cold plate, each ferromagnetic core positioned within a loop of at least one of the plurality of armature windings. Other embodiments are described.

Abstract: A track switching arrangement for a track-based guided transportation system, wherein the track switching arrangement forms diverging pathways and enables vehicle-side switching of a vehicle in the guided transportation system. The track switching arrangement includes an upstream pathway; two downstream pathways; and a path switching transition region having the diverging pathways between the upstream pathway and the two downstream pathways. Each of the pathways includes track elements configured to interact with one or more respective bearings of the vehicle to provide levitation to the vehicle and/or guidance for the vehicle.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed herein and relate to a communication network within a hyperloop bogie, wherein the communication network logically connects a plurality of power electronic units. A first power electronic unit may generate a network packet to be sent to a second power electronic unit. The first and second power electronic units may perform a vote to determine a voting result. The first and second power electronic units may substantially independently perform further action based on the voting result. The first and second power electronic units may determine the voting result prior to the conclusion of a critical timeframe beginning with the transmittal of the network packet and ending with the voting result being stored.

Abstract: A system and method for guidance control on a wheeled bogie is disclosed herein. An electromagnetic engine may be coupled to the wheeled bogie such that the electromagnetic engine may generate magnetically attractive forces between the electromagnetic engine and the rail. The generated force may be used to increase traction for braking and climbing operations. Further, the generated force may be used to counteract hunting oscillation. Still further, the generated force may be used to counteract lift generated by the wheeled bogie operating in a turn with cant.

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 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 tubular structure includes at least one exterior tube and at least one interior tube, at least a portion of the interior tube is disposed within the exterior tube. The tubular structure further includes at least one expansion joint provided between the exterior tube and the interior tube and the expansion joint allows lateral expansion or contraction of the exterior tube and the interior tube and maintains a pressure within the exterior and the interior tubes.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed herein and relate to a communication network within a hyperloop bogie, wherein the communication network logically connects a plurality of power electronic units. A first power electronic unit may generate a network packet to be sent to a second power electronic unit. The first and second power electronic units may perform a vote to determine a voting result. The first and second power electronic units may substantially independently perform further action based on the voting result. The first and second power electronic units may determine the voting result prior to the conclusion of a critical timeframe beginning with the transmittal of the network packet and ending with the voting result being stored.

Abstract: A moving member of a machine can include a cold plate that serves as a primary structural member for the moving member. The cold plate can have one or more cooling channels formed within the cold plate. A plurality of armature windings can be fixed to the cold plate. One or more field windings can be fixed to the cold plate. A plurality of ferromagnetic cores can be fixed to the cold plate, each ferromagnetic core positioned within a loop of at least one of the plurality of armature windings. Other embodiments are described.