Abstract:
A transportation system which is linked through a common single operating system, in the form of a vacuum tube-link network of transport tubes avoids the limitations of current transportation systems in terms of cost of construction, continuous rising costs of maintenance, limited speed capacity, limited volume capacity, insufficient safety, and vulnerability to environmental and climatic changes. The present invention offers year-round, uninterrupted operation while providing a safe haven at stations for the public during environmental or climatic conditions making sustaining life difficult or impossible. The transportation system of the present invention operates in a contained vacuum tube link environment within which a transport capsule is levitated. Levitation is provided by permanent magnets located in the interior of the transport tube and liquid-cooled super-conducting bulk elements located on the capsule. Cooling may be provided by a fluid such as nitrogen, helium, etc.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims the priority benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/512,759 filed on Jul. 28, 2011 which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    Current transportation systems including aircraft, various trains, ships and commercial trucks have reached their maximum speed and efficiency capacities. The highest speed attainable by the fastest of these systems, aircraft, can travel safely at approximately 700 mph. Additionally, the inefficiency and time loss brought forth by current transport systems includes a great deal of waste, pollution, limited speed, costly and continuous maintenance and replacement of parts. Furthermore, exposure to delays, travel cancellations due to environmental and climatic conditions as well as lack of ability to adjust to environmental / climatic changes brings great limitations. 
         [0003]    Current transportation systems are, and will continue to be, vulnerable to climatic and environmental changes and often stop operating when conditions are not favorable. These above ground systems might be wiped out from climatic or environmental events such as earthquakes, tsunamis, major storms, etc. 
         [0004]    The existing transportation systems have served humanity well since their invention. However, they have all reached their functional capacity in a world that is becoming more of an interconnected unit. Thus, a new infrastructure and transportation system is needed that is expandable into a single-standard global system. This is not possible with current systems since they lack a common linking thread. 
         [0005]    A single-standard, transportation system and infrastructure would be capable of protecting the life and environment vulnerable to these current and likely continuing cataclysmic environmental and climatic events on earth. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0006]    The system of the present invention is based on an idea analogous to the single global operating system of the internet. In the case of the present invention, a transportation system is provided which is linked through a common single operating system, in the form of a vacuum tube-link network of transport tubes. 
         [0007]    A primary object of the present invention is to provide a transportation system which avoids the limitations of current transportation systems in terms of cost of construction, continuous rising costs of maintenance, limited speed capacity, limited volume capacity, insufficient safety, and vulnerability to environmental and climatic changes. The present invention offers year-round, uninterrupted operation while providing a safe haven for the public during environmental or climatic conditions making sustaining life difficult or impossible. 
         [0008]    The transportation system of the present invention operates in a contained vacuum tube link environment within which a transport capsule is levitated. Levitation is provided by permanent magnets located in the interior of the transport tube and liquid-cooled super-conducting bulk elements located on the capsule. Cooling may be provided by a fluid such as nitrogen, helium, etc. Greater than conventional speeds are possible within the tubes due to a lack of friction experienced by the capsules. Speeds of 350-4000+ mph are safely attainable. 
         [0009]    The proposed transportation system will slowly and eventually replace all current, limited, long-distance transportation systems like High Speed Rail (HSR), bullet-trains, general trains, trucks, aircraft, transport ships, etc. It is not limited, in speed, safety or efficiency. 
         [0010]    Transport tube-links are secured by the design against ground motion due to earthquakes. 
         [0011]    The system of the present invention is usable in a larger system which also includes an ocean-based tube and station system linked to the present system. Vertical, subterranean mobility for the upper portion of the stations provides additional security for the stations and contents in life-threatening, environmental or climatic conditions occurring outside. All components of this system are designed detached from the soil by design with the ability to sub-merge below ground if /when potentially devastating environmental and climatic events occur. 
         [0012]    During implementation, there will be a need for mass education and employment of persons in technologies not yet used in this way. During operation, persons and cargo may be transported at very high speeds and this system provides a greater degree of safety, frequency and efficiency in use. Additionally, as the system is placed in different regions, it allows the opportunity to access all national land locations that otherwise are not available with present transport systems. Thus, a great potential for national and international economic prosperity is provided. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0013]      FIG. 1  illustrates a perspective view of the bypass-station and tube network component invention. 
           [0014]      FIG. 2  illustrates a detailed section view of the invention taken along line  2 - 2  of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0015]      FIG. 3  illustrates a perspective view of the transport tubes and transport capsules of the present invention. 
           [0016]      FIG. 4  illustrates a front view of the transport tubes and transport capsules. 
           [0017]      FIG. 5  illustrates a detailed section view of the maglev service and repair station taken along line  5 - 5  of  FIG. 1  showing pairs of transport capsules and transport tubes. 
           [0018]      FIG. 6  illustrates a detailed top view of the invention with arrows indicating direction of flow of transport capsules within containment tube housing  26 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0019]    The transportation system comprises an interconnected transport tube network including a plurality of passenger transport tube pairs  28  and a plurality of cargo transport tubes  29 . Each transport tube pair  28  and  29  further comprises a first upper tube and a second lower tube as seen in  FIG. 1 . When the transportation system is in use, passenger and cargo transportation is permitted in a first direction in the upper tube of the pair and in a second opposite direction in the lower tube of the pair. Passenger  28  and cargo  29  transport tube pairs are arranged together adjacent one another to form a four tube configuration. The internal diameter of passenger transport tubes is preferably approximately 1.5 m and the internal diameter of the cargo transport tubes is preferably approximately 3.6 m. However, other dimensions may also be used without departing from the scope of the present invention. 
         [0020]    A circular outer catch  48  surrounds an intersection of four-tube configurations and provides a slowing mechanism for reducing the speed of passenger and cargo transport capsules  72  and  73 . Circular outer catch  48  includes a first catch tube positioned over a second catch tube in an arrangement consistent with that of the transport tube pairs. Similarly, the upper catch tube provides for transportation around outer catch  48  in a first direction and the lower catch tube provides for transportation around outer catch  48  in a second opposite direction. 
         [0021]    Near a station  40 , each passenger  28  and each cargo  29  transport tube pair diverges at catch  48  into primary passenger transition tube pairs  100  and passenger bypass tube pairs  98 . Like the passenger transport tube pairs  28  and second outer catch  48  tubes, passenger transition tubes pairs  100  include upper and lower transition tubes. Similarly, the upper transition tubes provide for transportation in a first direction whereas and the lower transition tubes provide for transportation in a second, opposite direction. A passenger transport capsule is thus able to pass into transition tubes  100  from passenger transport tubes  28  then into outer catch  48 . This region of transition into the first catch may be referred to as the passenger primary transition zone. 
         [0022]    Also near a station  40 , each cargo transport tube pair  29  diverges at catch  48  into primary cargo transition tube pairs  102  and cargo bypass tube pairs  98 . Like cargo transport tube pairs  29  and outer catch  48  tubes, primary cargo transition tubes pairs  102  include upper and lower cargo transition tubes. Similarly, the upper tubes transition tubes provide for transportation in a first direction whereas the lower cargo transition tubes provide for transportation in a second, opposite direction. A cargo transport capsule is thus able to pass into transition tube pair  102  from transport tube pair  29  then into outer catch  48 . This region of transition into the first catch may be referred to as the primary cargo transition zone. 
         [0023]    Internal to the circular outer catch  48  is a circular inner catch  46  also surrounding the intersection of the first passenger transport tube pair and the first cargo transport tube pair with the second passenger transport tube pair and the second cargo transport tube pair and internal to said circular outer catch. Circular inner catch  46  includes a first inner catch tube positioned over a second inner catch tube. As with outer catch  48 , the first inner catch tube provides for transportation around inner catch  46  in a first direction and the second inner catch tube provides for transportation around inner catch  46  in a second opposite direction. 
         [0024]    Transition of transport capsules  72  and  73  between outer catch  48  and inner catch  46  is made possible by a plurality of secondary passenger and cargo transition tube pairs  90  at a secondary transition zone. A first tube of each of the secondary passenger and cargo transition tube pairs  90  is positioned above a second tube of each of said secondary passenger and cargo transition tube pairs. As with each of the above, the first tube of the secondary passenger and cargo transition tube pairs  90  provides for transportation in a first direction and the second tube of the secondary passenger and cargo transition tube pairs  90  provides for transportation in a second opposite direction. 
         [0025]    All transport, transition and catch tubes are evacuated to support the aforementioned frictionless transportation environment. 
         [0026]    All of the passenger transport tube pairs  28 , cargo transport tubes  29 , primary passenger transition tubes  100 , primary cargo transition tubes  102 , secondary cargo and passenger transition tubes  90 , as well as outer catch  48  and inner catch  46  are surrounded by a plurality of interconnected containment tube housings  26 . As seen in  FIG. 5 , housings  26  are installed in a cavity in earth  94  and surrounded by fill sand  92 . A centralized service and repair cavity  80  is accessible from above ground through a ground-level access panel  82 . Transport tube racks  70  are accessible from the centralized service and repair cavity  80  by way of transport tube access panels  78  and capable of which also support passenger  28  and cargo  29  transport tube pairs. A maglev platform  74  internal to containment tube housings  26  and providing access to a centrally-running maglev system  76  capable of elevating a repair person from maglev platform  74  to transport tube access panels  78 . Access is necessary for possible repairs and servicing of internal components. 
         [0027]    Air filled containment tube housings  26  are supported by ball bearings  66  riding on multi-directional motion platforms  68  allowing for relative motion of containment tube housings  26  relative to the multi-direction motion platforms  68  if necessary to maintain balance and equilibrium if earthquake activity is present. A number of upper hydraulic shock absorbers  56  are provided between the multi-directional motion platform  68  and hydraulic shock mounting platforms  64  at inner surfaces of a cavity in which housings  26  are provided. Additionally, a plurality of lower hydraulic shock absorbers are provided between the multi-directional motion platform  68  and hydraulic shock mounting platforms  62  at an inner surface of the cavity surrounding housings  26 . Plates  62  and  64  are not attached to the soil  94  but are flush with the soil cavity. 
         [0028]    Transportation stations  40  surrounded by fill sand  92  are provided internal to inner catch  46 . Each station  40  includes a lower support arced platform  12  supporting a ball bearing motion system  34  which, in turn, supports a detached station shell  40  to allow for relative motion of station shell  40  relative to the multi-direction lower support arced platform  12  if necessary to maintain balance and equilibrium if earthquake activity is present. Upper hydraulic shock absorbers  30  placeable between the lower support arced platform and inner surfaces of a hole capable of containing the station  40 . 
         [0029]    An access panel  36  is provided at the top of station  40  permitting access into the station  40 . Internally, each station  40  includes a first level  16  closest to a top of the station, a second level  18  below first level  16  and a number of additional levels  20 ,  22  and  24  below first 16 and second 18 levels. Hydraulic lifts  32  for lifting first  16  and second  18  levels away from the levels  20 ,  22  and  24 . The station  40  would be maintained in an extended configuration with first and second levels  16  and  18  held in their most superior position by catches  38 . When damaging environmental conditions exist, first 16 and second 18 levels may be partially collapsed by contraction of hydraulic lifts  32  such that the top of station  40  is level with the surface of the earth. 
         [0030]    Passenger loading and unloading platforms  50  are present near a central portion of the station  40  at levels  22  and  24 . Cargo loading and unloading platforms  52  are present near a central portion of the station  40  at levels  22  and  24 . Levels  22  and  24  remain stationary even upon the need to bring the entire upper three levels  16  and  18  below ground level for safety. 
         [0031]    A plurality of passenger maglev transport capsules  72  are propelled within passenger transport tube pairs  28  throughout the interconnected transportation system. A plurality of cargo maglev transport capsules  73  are propelled within the cargo transport tube pairs  29  throughout the interconnected transportation system. Each of the passenger maglev transport capsules  72  and each of the cargo maglev transport capsules comprise a first inner cylinder  84  and a second outer cylinder  86  capable of relative rotation about longitudinal axes due to a plurality of ball bearings  88  provided there between. In this configuration, relative rotation of inner cylinder  84  relative to outer cylinder  86  is permitted to allow passengers and cargo to maintain their position on internal surface of cylinder  84  while travelling around curves. For example if transport capsule were to travel through a portion of transport tubes  28  &amp;  29  curving to the right, inner cylinder  84  would rotate in a clockwise direction. Passenger maglev transport capsules  72  are approximately 1.5-1.8 meters in internal height and  6  meters long. Cargo maglev transport capsules  73  are approximately 2.4-2.5 meters in internal height and 6+ meters long. Transport capsules  72  and  73  are levitated by the combination of permanent magnets and super conducting bulk materials that allow the transport capsule to travel at speeds of 350-4,000+ mph. 
         [0032]    A vast amount of sand  92  shall be used to secure the entire transportation tube-link system. A deep ditch or tunnels  94  shall be dug out to encompass the transport containment  26  and inner tube  28  and  29  system. Sand  92  and shock absorbers  30  and  56  are counter-earthquake designs to minimize or eliminate movement within the containment tubes  26  and specifically, protecting the inner transport system. 
         [0033]    A person would use these stations and this airless environment transport system to travel safely within their nation&#39;s region and territory at speeds unable to be safely attained by conventional transportation systems (airplanes, super and conventional trains, ships, and trucks). Motion through the transportation system is depicted in  FIG. 6 . Only one of each vertical pair of transportation, primary transition, outer catch, secondary transition and inner catch tubes has been illustrated. In use, a passenger boards a transport capsule  72  at a platform  50  in a station such as  40 . Transport capsule  72  is then accelerated through inner perimeter ring  46  to transition tubes  90  and further, into catch  48 . After accelerating to the desired velocity and orienting to the appropriate direction, capsule  72  leaves catch  48  through one of transport tubes  28  and travels to the destination station. 
         [0034]    As a passenger transport capsule  72  approaches a station  40 , the capsule  72  may either bypass the station  40  by continuing through bypass tubes  96  and  98  or may stop for passenger deposit or uptake by transitioning into transition tube pairs  100 . 
         [0035]    If making a stop, transport capsule  72  is propelled through transition tube pairs  100 , is transported into catch  48  where it is decelerated. Then transport capsule  72  is propelled into transition tubes  90  through entry points  44 . Upon entry into inner perimeter ring  46 , transport capsule  72  may undergo further deceleration before coming to a stop at cargo loading/unloading platform  52 . 
         [0036]    To use for cargo, cargo is loaded into a cargo transport capsule  73  at a platform  52  in a station such as  40 . Cargo transport capsule  73  is then accelerated through inner perimeter ring  46  to transition tubes  90  and further, into catch  48 . After accelerating to the desired velocity and positioning to the appropriate direction, capsule  73  leaves catch  48  through one of cargo transport tubes  29  and travels to a destination station. 
         [0037]    As a cargo transport capsule  73  approaches a station  40 , the capsule  73  may either bypass the station  40  by continuing through bypass tubes  96  and  98  or may stop for passenger deposit or uptake by transitioning into transition tube pairs  102 . 
         [0038]    If making a stop, transport capsule  73  is propelled through transition tube pairs  102 , is transported into catch  48  where it is decelerated. Then transport capsule  73  is propelled into transition tubes  90  through entry points  44 . Upon entry into inner perimeter ring  46 , transport capsule  73  may undergo further deceleration before coming to a stop at cargo loading/unloading platform  52 . 
         [0039]    A variety of software programs will be necessary and used for timing of the distance to be maintained by the traveling capsule and monitoring speeds of the capsules including slowing and accelerating. Additionally, public security and climate control features within each station and within the transport system will also need to be monitored. 
         [0040]    This system is most effective when established as an infrastructure foundation for a regional, national and international single-standard transportation system. The initial options to travel from point to point are only limited by the number of stations established. The land-based transport system is expanded from the stations to other locations around the stations at a minimal of 200+/− miles from each station and the offshoots from the main line between station points extending to/from smaller portal locations in other land-based region within a region or nation&#39;s territory. As the system expands with more extensions and capsules, more locations shall be available to more destination points and until such time that the entire land region is covered by this infrastructure system and expanded in the near future to oceanic transport. 
         [0041]    Once the entire undertaking is completed, this facility shall be commercially productive from internal farming development, commercial enterprises, and other business related activities. Each station is designed with a capsule entry ‘Catch’ located around the perimeter of each station and located approximately one mile away from the stations, and are air-filled to control incoming speeds to the physical Station. 
         [0042]    Buildings like atomic reactors, general housing and any commercial construction that may have need of this counter-earthquake, climatic and environmental design idea. This would include this innovation&#39;s design whereby application of shock absorbers, hydraulic lifts, detached contact plates, and outer-station&#39;s sand-based containment environment that is located between the station and soil-cavity is included in the design idea which is used to secure and greatly limit motion of all structures within (i.e. station frame housing and transport system network). 
         [0043]    The components of this innovation are established as implied herein and cannot be interchangeable even though other transport applications may be initiated if the vacuum designed system fails. In such a case, the internal transport system&#39;s vacuum may be modified to an air system. If magnetic levitation is compromised, then wheeled vehicles would need to be created to continue access to the already routed system, realizing that the speed capacity would be greatly reduced and have none or limited advantage over existing transportation systems would be possible. 
         [0044]    This innovation may be used and not limited to other applications such that are designed for counter-earth motion (i.e. earthquakes) and climatic and environmental defense purposes. 
         [0045]    While the invention has been described for use in a subterranean transportation system, the components may be adapted to provide transportation above ground and aquatically as well. 
         [0046]    While the invention has been described with respect to certain specific embodiments, it will be appreciated that many modifications and changes may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the invention. It is intended, therefore, by the appended claims to cover all such modifications and changes as fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention.