Patent ID: 6578494
Filing Date: 2003-06-17
Classification: B61B,B61C

Abstract:
A propulsion/braking apparatus for a vehicle traveling along a guideway, said apparatus comprising:a plurality of nozzles located along the length of said guideway, said plurality of nozzles being arranged to direct fluid jets generally in a travel direction of said guideway; a plurality of strip valves arranged end-to-end along said guideway, each of said plurality of strip valves being operable to control flow from a group of nozzles in said plurality of nozzles; a power unit mounted for travel along said guideway, said power unit having valve control means for opening said plurality of strip valves in succession to release fluid jets from said groups of nozzles controlled thereby, and a plurality of thrust vanes arranged to receive impulse energy from said released fluid jets to propel said power unit along said guideway in said travel direction, and means for connecting said vehicle to said power unit.