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 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 high-speed transportation system, the system including at least one transportation path having at least one track, at least one transportation vehicle configured for travel along the at least one transportation path, a propulsion system adapted to propel the at least one transportation vehicle along the at least one transportation path; and a levitation system adapted to levitate the transportation vehicle along the at least one transportation path. The at least one transportation vehicle additionally comprises wheels for at least intermittently supporting the transportation vehicle on the at least one track.

Abstract: A continuous winding for a motor that includes a winding block comprising a plurality of coils aligned together to form at least part of a motor winding, where each of the plurality of coils includes a left portion and a right portion that are offset from each other in spaced parallel planes, so that the plurality of coils aligned together are nested together, so that a portion of each of the plurality of coils aligned together supports a portion of an adjacent coil at least laterally and vertically, and a resin coating at least partially covers the winding block to positionally fix the aligned plurality of coils together.

Abstract: System for transmitting energy to a moving vehicle. The system includes at least one moving vehicle; at least one energy source to supply energy toward the at least one moving vehicle; and a receiver that is movable relative to the at least one energy source, that receives the supplied energy from the at least one energy source and converts the received energy to at least one of charge a battery or to impart thrust to the at least one moving vehicle.

Abstract: A magnetically continuous winding includes a first coil and at least one additional coil substantially fixed in place in at least one direction with respect to a position of the first coil. A core formed by a resin is applied to the first coil and the at least one additional coil to substantially bind the first coil and the at least one additional coil.

Abstract: Provided herein are heat engine systems and methods for transforming energy, such as generating mechanical energy and/or electrical energy from thermal energy. The heat engine systems may have one of several different configurations of a working fluid circuit. One configuration of the heat engine system contains at least four heat exchangers and at least three recuperators sequentially disposed on a high pressure side of the working fluid circuit between a system pump and an expander. Another configuration of the heat engine system contains a low-temperature heat exchanger and a recuperator disposed upstream of a split flowpath and downstream of a recombined flowpath in the high pressure side of the working fluid circuit.

Abstract: System for converting transmitted energy to vehicle movement and power conversion system movable within a waveguide. System for converting transmitted energy to vehicle movement includes a structure having an elongated tubular interior; a movable vehicle structured and arranged to move through the elongated tubular interior; at least one energy source arranged at a fixed location within the elongated tubular interior to transmit energy; and a receiver, carried by the movable vehicle, configured to receive the transmitted energy from the at least one energy source and to convert the received energy into at least one of electrical power and thrust for moving the vehicle.

Abstract: System for autonomously transporting people and/or goods. The system includes at least one wheel, a chassis that supports a payload for transporting at least one of people or goods, and at least one electric motor coupled to the at least one wheel. The at least one electric motor is one of chassis mounted or at least one wheel mounted. The system also includes a battery to power the at least one electric motor.

Abstract: Method and system for autonomously transporting people and/or goods. The method includes requesting conveyance of a payload from a designated area to a destination, autonomously moving at least one module to the designated area, loading the at least one module with a payload within the designated area, and, via the at least one module, autonomously transporting the payload to the destination.

Abstract: A method of monitoring tube integrity of a high-speed transportation system. The high-speed transportation system includes at least one tube structure having at least one track, at least one capsule configured for travel through the at least one tube structure between a plurality of stations, a propulsion system adapted to propel the at least one capsule through the structure, and a levitation system adapted to levitate the capsule within the structure. The tube structure is maintained as a low-pressure environment. The method includes directing a vehicle having at least one sensor along a tube path; and detecting a plume of air leaked from the low-pressure environment using the at least one sensor.

Abstract: An off-shore port system includes a land-based port infrastructure area, an off-shore cargo ship docking area located in a body of water, and a transportation system having at least one tube connecting the land-based port infrastructure area and the off-shore cargo ship docking area.

Abstract: Method for controlling a dynamic linear motor. Method includes defining a path over which a rotor is to travel, placing stator segments at least along portions of the path where the rotor may be one of accelerated and decelerated and supplying a variable amplitude and frequency of voltage to power the stator segments in a synchronized manner so that, as the rotor approaches stator segments, the stator segments are powered and, as the rotor departs stator segments, the stator segments are depowered.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing at least one transportation tube having a plurality of transportation tube sections for a high-speed transportation system. The method includes manufacturing the tube sections in-situ adjacent to an approximate path of the transportation system where the tube sections are to be positioned.

Abstract: A system includes at least one tube forming a portion of a transportation path, wherein the tube is maintained as a low-pressure environment, a propulsion system configured to propel at least one capsule through the tube, a levitation system configured to levitate the capsule within the tube, and at least one tube sealer arranged along the at least one tube and configured to selectively create an airlock in the at least one tube.

Abstract: An adjustable variable atmospheric condition testing apparatus for testing an object includes an outer chamber, an inner chamber positioned inside and in fluid communication with the outer chamber, a vacuum pump configured to remove gas from the inner and outer chambers, and further configured to expel the removed gas via an exhaust, an intake configured to selectively introduce gas from ambient into the inner chamber via a valve, such that the introduced gas interacts with the object, and a sensor positioned downstream of the object and configured to detect a characteristic of the gas interacting with the object.

Abstract: A structure having at least one flexible material structured and arranged to withstand a tensile load, at least one support structure configured to support the flexible material and structured and arranged to withstand a compressive load, and at least one enclosed volume at least partially defined by the at least one flexible material, the at least one enclosed volume being configured to be maintained as a low-pressure environment.

Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling a heat engine system are provided. One method includes initiating flow of a working fluid through a working fluid circuit having a high pressure side and a low pressure side by controlling a pump to pressurize and circulate the working fluid through the working fluid circuit and determining a configuration of the working fluid circuit by determining which of a plurality of waste heat exchangers and which of a plurality of recuperators to position in the high pressure side of the working fluid circuit. The method also includes determining, based on the determined configuration of the working fluid circuit, for each of a plurality of valves, whether to position each respective valve in an opened position, a closed position, or a partially opened position and actuating each of the plurality of valves to the determined opened position, closed position, or partially opened position.

Abstract: Method and system for autonomously transporting people and/or goods. The method includes requesting conveyance of a payload from a designated area to a destination, autonomously moving at least one module to the designated area, loading the at least one module with a payload within the designated area, and, via the at least one module, autonomously transporting the payload to the destination.

Abstract: System for converting transmitted energy to vehicle movement and power conversion system movable within a waveguide. System for converting transmitted energy to vehicle movement includes a structure having an elongated tubular interior; a movable vehicle structured and arranged to move through the elongated tubular interior; at least one energy source arranged at a fixed location within the elongated tubular interior to transmit energy; and a receiver, carried by the movable vehicle, configured to receive the transmitted energy from the at least one energy source and to convert the received energy into at least one of electrical power and thrust for moving the vehicle.