Abstract: Transport apparatus having at least one levitation generator and at least one drive generator. The at least one levitation generator configured to generate a levitating magnetic flux, move within a corresponding at least one lifting member, and elevate above a rest position relative to the at least one lifting member in response to the levitating magnetic flux. The at least one drive generator configured to generate a driving magnetic flux, move within a corresponding at least one drive member, and laterally move relative to the at least one drive member in response to the driving magnetic flux. At least a portion of the at least one levitation generator is movable relative to the at least one drive generator.

Abstract: A transport system including at least one guideway, at least one levitation generator, at least one lifting member, at least one drive generator, and at least one drive member is presented. The at least one guideway, at least one levitation generator, at least one lifting member, at least one drive generator, and at least one drive member can each be implemented with other systems. The at least one drive generator is configured to: generate a driving magnetic flux; move with a corresponding at least one drive member; and be driven relative to the at least one drive member by the driving magnetic flux. The at least one levitation generator can be configured to: generate a levitating magnetic flux; move within a corresponding at least one lifting member; and elevate above a rest position relative to the at least one lifting member in response to the levitating magnetic flux.

Abstract: Drive generator having a helical magnetic array. Additionally, a coupling portion is coupled to the drive generator and configured to be coupled to a vehicle. A drive member is configured to be at least partially located within the at least one drive generator, whereby the drive member is magnetically coupled to the at least one drive body. Furthermore, a prime mover is coupled to the drive member and configured to rotate the drive member, thereby imparting motion, when a portion of the drive member is located within the at least one drive generator, of the at least one drive generator relative to the drive member.

Abstract: A method controlling a vehicle moving along a guideway for magnetic flight is provided. The method includes receiving, at a controller, data generated by one or more sensors. The controller receives data relating to a projected flight path of the vehicle. The controller determines an altitude of the vehicle relative to the guideway for magnetic flight and determines a speed of the vehicle relative to the guideway for magnetic flight. The controller then calculates a deviation of the vehicle from the projected flight path. The controller adjusts the altitude of the vehicle relative to the guideway for magnetic flight by changing certain aspects of a magnetic flight suspension system causing the vehicle to more closely track the projected flight path.

Abstract: Drive generator having a helical magnetic array. Additionally, a coupling portion is coupled to the drive generator and configured to be coupled to a vehicle. A drive member is configured to be at least partially located within the at least one drive generator, whereby the drive member is magnetically coupled to the at least one drive body. Furthermore, a prime mover is coupled to the drive member and configured to rotate the drive member, thereby imparting motion, when a portion of the drive member is located within the at least one drive generator, of the at least one drive generator relative to the drive member.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are techniques for guiding a vehicle over a flight path. The techniques include receiving guideway data, such as information corresponding to a track segment, generated by one or more guideway sensors associated with a metallic track, and receiving flight path data, such as a set of 3-D space coordinates for the vehicle. The method further includes determining an amount of deviation between one or more coordinates of the flight path data and a position of the vehicle based on the guideway data, and adjusting the position of the vehicle relative to the track segment to minimize the amount of deviation in at least one dimension in the 3-D space.

Abstract: Method for controlling altitude of a vehicle moving along a segmented track. The method including receiving, at a controller, data generated by one or more sensors and determining, at the controller, an altitude of the vehicle relative to the segmented track. The method then receives, at the controller, data relating to the length of a track segment between two or more supports and the weight of the vehicle and determining, at the controller, a speed of the vehicle relative to the length of the track segment. The method also calculating, at the controller, the deflection of the segmented track between two supports based on the length of the track segment, the weight of the vehicle, and the speed of the vehicle. The controller adjusts the altitude of the vehicle relative to the segmented track by an offset equivalent to the deflection of the segmented track thereby maintaining a constant altitude.

Abstract: A segmented track for a Maglev vehicle includes a structural support portion and a Maglev portion fastened to the structural support portion. Each segment of the structural support portion is formed by fusing together three cast metal components. Neighboring ones of the structural support segments are joined together end-to-end by fused metal, and neighboring ones of the reaction rail segments are joined together end-to-end by fused metal. The positioning and joining of the successive segments is done in the field using on site jigs and machines.

Abstract: A transport system including at least one guideway, at least one levitation generator, at least one lifting member, at least one drive generator, and at least one drive member is presented. The at least one guideway, at least one levitation generator, at least one lifting member, at least one drive generator, and at least one drive member can each be implemented with other systems. The at least one drive generator is configured to: generate a driving magnetic flux; move with a corresponding at least one drive member; and be driven relative to the at least one drive member by the driving magnetic flux. The at least one levitation generator can be configured to: generate a levitating magnetic flux; move within a corresponding at least one lifting member; and elevate above a rest position relative to the at least one lifting member in response to the levitating magnetic flux.

Abstract: Transport apparatus having at least one levitation generator and at least one drive generator. The at least one levitation generator configured to generate a levitating magnetic flux, move within a corresponding at least one lifting member, and elevate above a rest position relative to the at least one lifting member in response to the levitating magnetic flux. The at least one drive generator configured to generate a driving magnetic flux, move within a corresponding at least one drive member, and laterally move relative to the at least one drive member in response to the driving magnetic flux. At least a portion of the at least one levitation generator is movable relative to the at least one drive generator.

Abstract: A track switch for a magnetic levitation transport system includes a trunk segment of track, an upper branch segment of track, a lower branch segment of track, and a divergent zone. The divergent zone has coextensive spaced rails extending from the trunk segment and splitting into upper rails extending to the upper branch segment, and lower rails extending to the lower branch segment, so that a vehicle engaging the rails and entering the switch at the trunk segment is guided and magnetically levitated to a selected one of either the upper branch segment or the lower branch segment.

Abstract: A transport system including at least one guideway, at least one levitation generator, at least one lifting member, at least one drive generator, and at least one drive member is presented. The at least one guideway, at least one levitation generator, at least one lifting member, at least one drive generator, and at least one drive member can each be implemented with other systems. The at least one drive generator is configured to: generate a driving magnetic flux; move with a corresponding at least one drive member; and be driven relative to the at least one drive member by the driving magnetic flux. The at least one levitation generator can be configured to: generate a levitating magnetic flux; move within a corresponding at least one lifting member; and elevate above a rest position relative to the at least one lifting member in response to the levitating magnetic flux.

Abstract: Drive generator having a helical magnetic array. Additionally, a coupling portion is coupled to the drive generator and configured to be coupled to a vehicle. A drive member is configured to be at least partially located within the at least one drive generator, whereby the drive member is magnetically coupled to the at least one drive body. Furthermore, a prime mover is coupled to the drive member and configured to rotate the drive member, thereby imparting motion, when a portion of the drive member is located within the at least one drive generator, of the at least one drive generator relative to the drive member.

Abstract: Transport apparatus having at least one levitation generator and at least one drive generator. The at least one levitation generator configured to generate a levitating magnetic flux, move within a corresponding at least one lifting member, and elevate above a rest position relative to the at least one lifting member in response to the levitating magnetic flux. The at least one drive generator configured to generate a driving magnetic flux, move within a corresponding at least one drive member, and laterally move relative to the at least one drive member in response to the driving magnetic flux. At least a portion of the at least one levitation generator is movable relative to the at least one drive generator.

Abstract: A track switch for a magnetic levitation transport system includes a trunk segment of track, an upper branch segment of track, a lower branch segment of track, and a divergent zone. The divergent zone has coextensive spaced rails extending from the trunk segment and splitting into upper rails extending to the upper branch segment, and lower rails extending to the lower branch segment, so that a vehicle engaging the rails and entering the switch at the trunk segment is guided and magnetically levitated to a selected one of either the upper branch segment or the lower branch segment.

Abstract: A transport system including at least one guideway, at least one levitation generator, at least one lifting member, at least one drive generator, and at least one drive member is presented. The at least one guideway, at least one levitation generator, at least one lifting member, at least one drive generator, and at least one drive member can each be implemented with other systems. The at least one drive generator is configured to: generate a driving magnetic flux; move with a corresponding at least one drive member; and be driven relative to the at least one drive member by the driving magnetic flux. The at least one levitation generator can be configured to: generate a levitating magnetic flux; move within a corresponding at least one lifting member; and elevate above a rest position relative to the at least one lifting member in response to the levitating magnetic flux.

Abstract: A transport system including at least one guideway, at least one levitation generator, at least one lifting member, at least one drive generator, and at least one drive member is presented. The at least one guideway, at least one levitation generator, at least one lifting member, at least one drive generator, and at least one drive member can each be implemented with other systems. The at least one drive generator is configured to: generate a driving magnetic flux; move with a corresponding at least one drive member; and be driven relative to the at least one drive member by the driving magnetic flux. The at least one levitation generator can be configured to: generate a levitating magnetic flux; move within a corresponding at least one lifting member; and elevate above a rest position relative to the at least one lifting member in response to the levitating magnetic flux.