Abstract: An assembly that may be used in a transportation system is disclosed that in one or more embodiments includes at least one or more of the following: a braking system, which at least partially functions with an air bearing, a linear induction motor (‘LIM’) that has tilting abilities, and an inflated air bearing that is positioned with respect to a rail such that a portion of the rail is inside the air bearing. Regarding the latter, in one or more embodiments the inflated air bearing has a semi-enclosed cavity shape and the rail is cross-sectionally curved such that a portion of the cross-sectionally curved is positioned partially inside the semi-enclosed cavity. In one or more embodiments, the assembly is included as part of a monorail system.

Abstract: An integrated engineering system including multiple drones and an Electro-Mechanical drone transportation system for a new method of aviation flight transportation by the drones. These drones can be used either for passenger transportation or for parcel delivery. These drones may fly to land onto or fly to attach to carriers of the Electro-Mechanical drone transportation system then travel a distance with the carriers as unified objects. This integrated engineering system facilitates a novel method of aviation flight transportation by drones by uplifting a limit of maximum travel distance of the drones, hence making those drones a more practical tool for future aviation transportation within a city or between the cities. The Electro-Mechanical drone transportation system may include multiple routes to form a complicated transportation network to increase the number of potential destinations for the drones.

Abstract: A device for transporting loads suspended on raised tracks over a ground surface includes a container of materials to be transported, a structure supporting the container, and a movement mechanism for moving along the tracks, having a first motorised wheel and a second motorised wheel, independent of one another and activatable about axes of rotation coaxial with and perpendicular to the two longitudinal sides of the supporting structure. The transport device has a stabilizer with at least a first idle rolling element and at least a second idle rolling element coupled to the supporting structure so as to be arranged on opposite sides with respect to the coaxial axes of rotation of the first motorised wheel and the second motorised wheel, so as to be pivoting about axes parallel to the two longitudinal sides of the supporting structure and the tracks.

Abstract: An aerial sky tram system includes a plurality of towers, a cable track suspended from the plurality of towers by a support cable, and a sky tram coupled to the cable track. The sky tram includes a plurality of rotors that propel the sky tram along the cable track.

Abstract: A target volume evacuation system includes a turbo compressor and a vacuum pump, the system being operable in a first configuration to reduce the target volume pressure from ambient to a first intermediate pressure, e.g. between 200 mbar and 50 mbar, and in a second configuration to further reduce the pressure from a second intermediate pressure, e.g. 10 mBar, to a target partial vacuum, e.g. between 0.1 and 1 mbar. The turbo compressor can be driven electrically or by fuel combustion, and can be a conventional or modified turbojet engine. A plurality of turbo compressors can be transitioned from parallel to series operation. The pressure can be reduced from the first to the second intermediate pressure by venting the target volume to a boom-tank volume and/or by configuring the turbo compressor system to provide backing to the vacuum pumping system. The invention is applicable to a hyperloop transport system.

Abstract: A cable management system for an overhead EVSE employs a lever-latch on the EV connector. A controller and motor mechanism is employed to lower the connector to an ADA compliant position or a pre-established height which is typically four feet. For an overhead system which employs a shuttle which slides along a track, the connector may then be grasped to pull the shuttle to a selected position along the track. The latch is depressible to extend the service cable to the connector so that the connector may be positioned and connected at the EV inlet. When the connector is unlatched from the EV inlet, the latch may be depressed to retract the connector to the pre-established height or ADA position. The latch requires a force of less than 5 lbs. for activation.

Abstract: The Terreplane Transport System is a ground-based transportation comprised of flying vehicles pulled by a propulsion line. An important design feature of the most preferred system is that the propulsion line only experiences longitudinal forces during flight making low-cost propulsion lines possible. A propulsion carriage engages the propulsion line to create acceleration. A connection arm connects the vehicle to the propulsion carriage whereby the cumulative interaction includes the ability to convert impacting and overflowing air into lift complete with control to provided controlled flight based on the longitudinal force conveyed from the propulsion line to the propulsion carriage. The preferred method of conveying the longitudinal force is through linear motors utilizing novel longitudinally asymmetric coils. Novel embodiments include a wind turbine compatible with the guide way structures and an extended application of a bent horseshoe electromagnet for projecting inserts.

Abstract: A capsule for an evacuated tube transport system, the capsule comprising a capsule body for carrying passengers within an evacuated tube; a first door disposed in a first end of the body; and a first coupling mechanism and a first sealing mechanism arranged respectively to couple the capsule to another capsule at the end of the body while the capsules are moving and to establish a seal around the door and a corresponding door in the other capsule to enable passengers to move from one capsule to another through the doors without exposing the passengers to the pressure of the evacuated tube.

Abstract: A transportation system including a tubular rail assembly, a displacement device with at least one helical propulsion system located in a first position to be received in one rail and movable to a second position to be received in another rail, a switching mechanism engaged to each propulsion system for movement between the first and second positions, and a transportation device outside of the rail assembly and attached to the displacement device. Also, a displacement device with at least one pair of support members each supporting a helical propulsion system, and a biasing member circumferentially biasing the support member of each pair in opposite directions. Also, a displacement device with at least one tubular support member surrounding the body and circumferentially movable with respect thereto and supporting a set of angled wheels, and a switching mechanism engaged to each member for actuating the circumferential movement.

Abstract: A transportation system is disclosed that includes a monorail (or other vehicle) along a column-supported rail and a movable weight system that repositions and/or accelerates a movable weight with respect to the movable weight's rail to counterbalance a moment associated with the weight and/or a centrifugal force of the monorail relative to the column, where some embodiments also mitigate resonance. Also disclosed is a linear induction motor (LIM) system that enables the LIM to tilt and thereby remain close to the rail, which mitigates potential thrust losses and/or air losses. Further disclosed is an air bearing system where the air bearing has a compliance and a resilience that minimizes air loss between the rail and the bearing. Additionally disclosed is a rotatable wedge system that essentially expands and/or contracts automatically to maintain an adjacency between two rail portions, where some embodiments also mitigate resonance.

Abstract: A carrier and a conventional toy vehicle have mating structures to releasably connect the two together. The carrier is configured to support the vehicle to run along a T shaped portion of the monorail track. The carrier has a main housing having the mating structure and a through channel on upper and lower sides. Rollers support the carrier to move on the upper running surface of the track while other structures extend beneath the running surface to capture the surface in the through channel. Weights are supported from the main housing in legs extending below the main housing, through channel and running surface.

Abstract: A capsule for an evacuated tube transport system, the capsule comprising a capsule body for carrying passengers within an evacuated tube; a first door disposed in a first end of the body; and a first coupling mechanism and a first sealing mechanism arranged respectively to couple the capsule to another capsule at the end of the body while the capsules are moving and to establish a seal around the door and a corresponding door in the other capsule to enable passengers to move from one capsule to another through the doors without exposing the passengers to the pressure of the evacuated tube.

Abstract: An air cushion or wheeled overhead guideway mass transit system is disclosed.

Abstract: A vehicle track including a soft porous material and a vehicle which rides on the track by skiing cm the soft porous material. The vehicle has a large ski surface that rides on the soft porous material, supporting the weight of the vehicle at high speeds. Air within the soft porous material supplies most of the lift needed to support the train, Only a small amount of the support is provided by the structure of the porous material itself when the vehicle is in motion. As a result, the friction between the soft porous material and the ski surface may also be exceedingly small. To increase the amount of lift provided by the soft porous material it can be contained within a channel having impermeable sides and bottom. If the ski surface is substantially the same width as the channel, the impermeable sides prevent the air from escaping on either side of die ski surface. Accordingly, the trapped air contributes to greatly enhanced lift force.

Abstract: A wind-powered system and method provides for simultaneous electrical generation and transportation of persons or cargo. A set of cables are strung between a plurality of rigid, upright supports, and a transportation vessel including one or more sails rides along the cables through wind power. The vessel is coupled to the cables through one or more motor-generator units, each motor-generator units being operative to generate electricity as the vessel is pushed by the wind or power the vessel in the absence of wind.

Abstract: A transportation system includes a vehicle having wings, a propulsion system, a lifting gear coupling the vehicle to an undercarriage, and a guidance assembly movably connecting the undercarriage to guide rails. The wings generate aerodynamic lift when the vehicle exceeds a first speed. The lifting gear supports a load of the vehicle in a first position in relation to the undercarriage when the vehicle travels at less than the first speed, allows the vehicle to lift to a second position in relation to the undercarriage as the vehicle accelerates beyond the first speed, and maintains the vehicle in the second position when the vehicle exceeds the first speed. The guidance assembly shiftingly engages the guide rails through rollers that are in rolling contact with the guide rails when the vehicle is in the first position and are displaced from the guide rails when the vehicle is in the second position.

Abstract: A transportation system includes a vehicle having wings, a propulsion system, a lifting gear coupling the vehicle to an undercarriage, and a guidance assembly movably connecting the undercarriage to guide rails. The wings generate aerodynamic lift when the vehicle exceeds a first speed. The lifting gear supports a load of the vehicle in a first position in relation to the undercarriage when the vehicle travels at less than the first speed, allows the vehicle to lift to a second position in relation to the undercarriage as the vehicle accelerates beyond the first speed, and maintains the vehicle in the second position when the vehicle exceeds the first speed. The guidance assembly shiftingly engages the guide rails through rollers that are in rolling contact with the guide rails when the vehicle is in the first position and are displaced from the guide rails when the vehicle is in the second position.

Abstract: A water ride containing at least one watercraft is described, having at least a floating body and a chassis which is connected thereto in an articulated manner and which serves as a guide unit, and a guide for the chassis which runs in the water, and a drive for the watercraft, wherein the floating body is connected to the chassis via a connection unit which comprises flexible elements and which allows relative movements of the floating body with respect to the chassis, wherein arranged on the floating body and on the chassis are associated coupling elements which serve for rigidly connecting the floating body and the chassis in at least one relative position, and in that the coupling elements are designed in such a way that the floating body is fixed on the chassis after being lowered.

Abstract: A race track for model cars with series of pressurized air conduits. The track is designed to race at least two cars in a manner similar to a “Drag Race.” Each car has its own lane. The system of pressurized air propels the cars with bursts of air from jets. The air jets are activated by each operator using a control which is fashioned after an automobile gearshift.

Abstract: An all-weather guided vehicle system having a guideway including a single tube or a pair of parallel tubes capable of storing pressurized air. Vehicles are suspended below, above, or beside the tube(s) by way of carriages to which the vehicles are connected. Arcuate roller tracks between the vehicle and the carriage provide a banking mechanism for cornering. The tube(s) support continuous high-speed rails to receive suspension members extending from the carriage for air or wheeled suspension. Impulse vanes are provided on a vertical rod extending through a slotted opening in a propulsion channel for cooperation with air jet nozzles located within the channel to propel and brake the carriage. Embodiments having a fair-weather vehicle riding atop the deck and tire tracks for suspension and prevention of side sway are also disclosed.

Abstract: A traffic system is disclosed to include a passageway defining a moving direction and a vehicle mounted in the passageway and running along the moving direction. In one instance, the passageway has two inner side walls and an inner bottom wall having a transverse cross-section formed into a continuous smooth surface. In further a instance, there is provided with a buoyant fluid stored in the passageway for generating a buoyancy while displaced by the vehicle. A traffic method is also provided to include steps of providing a vehicle, providing a medium for carrying thereon the vehicle moving therealong, and providing a buoyant medium for reducing a weight of the vehicle.

Abstract: A traffic system is disclosed to include a passageway defining a moving direction and a vehicle mounted in the passageway and running along the moving direction. In one instance, the passageway has two inner side walls and an inner bottom wall having a transverse cross-section formed into a continuous smooth surface. In further a instance, there is provided with a buoyant fluid stored in the passageway for generating a buoyancy while displaced by the vehicle. A traffic method is also provided to include steps of providing a vehicle, providing a medium for carrying thereon the vehicle moving therealong, and providing a buoyant medium for reducing a weight of the vehicle.

Abstract: The invention relates to a train (1) which forms a transport device displaceable along a fixed track (3), comprising a frame with a drive; at least one bogie (6) with a flat sole (10); and at least one supply of a liquid which is suitable for pouring the liquid over the track (3), wherein at speed of the train higher than a threshold value at least a part of the sole (10) floats over a film created by liquid. The supply is adapted to carry the liquid onto the track (3) in front of the sole (10) in the direction of movement of the train (1) and the sole (10) is positioned inclining upward on the front side in the direction of movement. The invention also relates to a track (3) for an above described train (1) which comprises at least one platform extending in horizontal direction. The platform is coated with a levelling material, wherein an upper surface of the track has a very high degree of smoothness with very small height differences.

Abstract: A switching device for ground-effect vehicles, the said device comprising at least three sections of guidance and support tracks for the entry and exit of the vehicles, at least one of these tracks being the vehicle entry track, the said device comprising at least one support surface able to move between at least two positions, each of the said positions corresponding to a path by which the vehicles cross the switching device, the support surfaces of the sections of guide tracks being, for each path, in continuity with the movable support surface or surfaces.