Patent Publication Number: US-11661050-B2

Title: Transportation system including a hovering vehicle

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/913,374, filed Mar. 6, 2018 (now U.S. Pat. No. 10,926,754), which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/881,264, filed Oct. 13, 2015 (now U.S. Pat. No. 9,937,912), which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/442,039, filed Apr. 9, 2012 (now U.S. Pat. No. 9,180,856), which claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119 to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/475,845, filed Apr. 15, 2011, entitled “TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM INCLUDING A HOVERING VEHICLE.” Each of the previously filed applications is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present disclosure relates to a transportation system including a hovering vehicle. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Train systems are suitable for efficiently transporting many passengers and large amounts of material over long distances. Conventional train systems depend upon significant infrastructure including, for example, track systems and electrical distribution systems. For example, existing passenger and freight rail systems, high speed rail systems, and magnetic levitation trains require infrastructure such as rail lines, rail bridges, power systems for tracks, and rail control systems. 
     Costs of such infrastructure are typically very high. Additionally, much of the world&#39;s terrain is inappropriate for conventional rail systems. For example, terrain having a mix of water, ice, and land may be unsuitable for tracked rail. 
     Other transportation systems do not adequately address the limitations of conventional rail systems. For example, alternatives such as highways and air travel are not as efficient as rail in transporting large amounts of material and passengers, and also require significant infrastructure such as roads, bridges, and airports. Additionally, conventional transportation systems may also be unsuitable for terrain having a mix of water, ice, and land. 
     The present disclosure is directed to overcoming shortcomings and/or other deficiencies in existing technology, such as those discussed above. 
     SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE 
     In accordance with one aspect, the present disclosure is directed toward a transportation system. The transportation system includes a self-powered vehicle configured to generate an air cushion on a trackless lane having a substantially flat surface. The vehicle is also configured to move over the substantially flat surface on the air cushion. The transportation system also includes a guidance system configured to guide the vehicle between peripheries of the trackless lane. 
     According to another aspect, the present disclosure is directed toward a method for operating a vehicle. The method includes self-powering the vehicle with at least one of carbonized fossil fuel, solar energy, and thermal energy. The method also includes generating an air cushion between a bottom of the vehicle and a substantially flat surface of a trackless lane. The method further includes moving the vehicle over the substantially flat surface on the air cushion, and communicating with a guidance system to guide the vehicle between peripheries of the trackless lane. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG.  1    is a side view of an exemplary transportation system consistent with the disclosed embodiments; 
         FIG.  2    is a plan view of the transportation system of  FIG.  1   ; 
         FIG.  3    is a detailed plan view of the transportation system of  FIG.  1   ; 
         FIG.  4    is a detailed side view of the transportation system of  FIG.  1   ; 
         FIG.  5    is a cross-sectional view of an exemplary disclosed vertical thrust system of the transportation system of  FIG.  1   ; 
         FIG.  6    is a cross-sectional view of an exemplary dispensing system of the transportation system of  FIG.  1   ; 
         FIG.  7    is a cross-sectional view of an exemplary horizontal thrust system of the transportation system of  FIG.  1   ; 
         FIG.  8    is a schematic view of an exemplary linkage subsystem of the transportation system of  FIG.  1   ; 
         FIG.  9    is another schematic view of the linkage subsystem of  FIG.  8   ; 
         FIG.  10    is another schematic view of linkage subsystem of  FIG.  8   ; 
         FIG.  11    is a perspective view of the transportation system of  FIG.  1   ; 
         FIG.  12    is a perspective view of the transportation system of  FIG.  1     
         FIG.  13    is a front view of the transportation system of  FIG.  1   ; 
         FIG.  14    is a perspective view of the transportation system of  FIG.  1   ; 
         FIG.  15    is another perspective view of the transportation system of  FIG.  1    and 
         FIG.  16    is a schematic view of an exemplary geographic area of use for the transportation system of  FIG.  1   . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       FIGS.  1  and  2    illustrate an exemplary transportation system comprising a hovering vehicle system  10  for transporting contents such as, for example, material and/or passengers. Hovering vehicle system  10  may include a vehicle  12  supported by a support system  14 . 
     As depicted in  FIGS.  1  and  2   , vehicle  12  may include a structural system  16 , a horizontal thrust system  18 , a vertical thrust system  20 , an energy system  22 , a dispensing system  26  (depicted in more detail in  FIG.  6   ), and a control system  27 . Structural system  16  may support and/or house the various systems of vehicle  12 . Horizontal thrust system  18  may provide for horizontal movement of vehicle  12 , and vertical thrust system  20  may provide for vertical movement of vehicle  12 . Energy system  22  may power the various systems of vehicle  12 . Dispensing system  26  may dispense material to improve support system  14 . Support system  14  may include the ground and/or other terrain over which vehicle  12  travels. Control system  27  may control the various systems of vehicle  12  and may communicate with support system  14 . 
     As depicted in  FIGS.  1  and  2   , structural system  16  may include a leading module  28 , one or more intermediate modules  30 , and an end module  32 . Leading module  28  may lead intermediate modules  30  in a direction of travel  34  of vehicle  12 . Modules  30  may in turn lead end module  32  in direction of travel  34 . Structural system  16  may also include a single module or any number of modules structurally supporting the various systems of vehicle  12  described herein. For example, vehicle  12  may be a single module vehicle or may be in a train configuration of multiple modules. For example, vehicle  12  may be a multi-car train including a plurality of cars. 
     As depicted in  FIGS.  3  and  4   , leading module  28  may include a housing  36  and a hood assembly  38 . Housing  36  may be supported above hood assembly  38 , and both housing  36  and hood assembly  38  may structurally support the various systems of leading module  28 . 
     Housing  36  may include any suitable relatively lightweight material for structurally supporting the various systems of leading module  28  such as, for example, materials having a relatively low density and/or a relatively high strength-to-weight ratio. For example, in some embodiments, housing  36  may include relatively light materials such as, for example, aluminum, titanium, plastics/polymers, carbon fiber, carbon fiber-reinforced polymer or carbon fiber-reinforced plastic, or any suitable combinations thereof. Use of lightweight materials may reduce the weight of leading module  28 , thereby reducing the amount of energy required to suspend and move leading module  28 . 
     As depicted in  FIGS.  3  and  4   , housing  36  may be formed into an aerodynamics and stability configuration, including a front window assembly  42 , one or more side window assemblies  44 , and one or more door assemblies  46  for accessing a compartment  48 . Housing  36  may also include a horizontal thrust assembly  50  for housing elements of horizontal thrust system  18  and a vertical thrust assembly  52  for housing elements of vertical thrust system  20 . 
     The aerodynamics and stability configuration may include a width dimension  54 , a length dimension  56 , and a height dimension  58 . One of width dimension  54  and length dimension  56  may be significantly larger than height dimension  58 , so that leading module  28  may have a relatively flat design. For example, width dimension  54  and/or length dimension  56  may be between about two and about six times greater than height dimension  58 . Leading module  28  may thereby have a relatively flat shape, which may improve stability of leading module  28  as it moves over support system  14 . It is also contemplated that dimensions  54 ,  56 , and  58  may be substantially equal, or have any suitable ratio with respect to each other. The aerodynamics and stability configuration may also include slanted surfaces such as, for example, slanted surfaces  60  and  62 . Slanted surfaces  60  and  62  may slope upward from the front to the rear of leading module  28 , relative to direction of travel  34 , as depicted, for example, in  FIG.  4   . Slanted surfaces  60  and  62  may thereby make leading module  28  more aerodynamic in a direction of travel  34 , because air may tend to be urged over a top of leading module  28 , via slanted surfaces  60  and  62 , as leading module  28  moves in direction of travel  34 . Intermediate modules  30  and end module  32  of vehicle  12  may include designs similar to the aerodynamics and stability configuration of leading module  28 . 
     Front window assembly  42  and the one or more side window assemblies  44  may include apertures provided in housing  36  that are configured to receive transparent structural material. The apertures of window assemblies  42  and  44  may communicate with compartment  48  so that operating personnel located in compartment  48  may view the environment surrounding vehicle  12 . Operating personnel may access compartment  48  via one or more door assemblies  46 . Compartment  48  may house input and/or output terminals of control system  27 , so that operating personnel located in compartment  48  may control the various systems of vehicle  12 . 
     As depicted in  FIG.  3   , horizontal thrust assembly  50  may include one or more recesses  64  and a cavity  66  for housing elements of horizontal thrust system  18 . Recesses  64  may be defined by any suitable shape formed in housing  36  for structural support of horizontal thrust assembly  50 . Cavity  66  may be formed within housing  36  and may be configured to contain mechanical elements of horizontal thrust system  18 . 
     As depicted in  FIG.  5   , vertical thrust assembly  52  may include one or more walls  68  forming a cavity  70 . Cavity  70  may house elements of vertical thrust system  20 . Vertical thrust assembly  52  may also include a vent  72  which may protect elements of vertical thrust system  20  while allowing ambient air from the environment surrounding leading module  28  to communicate with cavity  70 . 
     As depicted in  FIGS.  4  and  5   , hood assembly  38  may include a plenum  74 , a hood  76 , and a strut system  77  (depicted in  FIG.  6   ). Plenum  74  may provide pressurized air to fill hood  76 , and strut system  77  may support hood assembly  38 . 
     As depicted in  FIG.  5   , plenum  74  may include one or more upper walls  78  and one or more lower walls  80 . Upper walls  78  may be attached to walls  68  of vertical thrust assembly  52  so that a cavity  82 , suitable for containing pressurized air, is defined by walls  68 ,  78 , and  80 . Lower walls  80  may include one or more apertures  84  that allow cavity  82  to communicate with hood  76 . 
     As depicted in  FIGS.  5  and  6   , hood  76  may include an inflatable bead  86 , which, in conjunction with lower wall  80  of plenum  74  and a surface of support system  14 , may define a space  88 . Bead  86  may be configured to receive, into space  88 , pressurized air that may be stored in plenum  74 . For example, cavity  82  of plenum  74  may be in fluid communication with a bead interior  90  of bead  86 , such that pressurized air from plenum  74  may inflate bead  86  by entering space  88  via apertures  84 . 
     As depicted in  FIG.  6   , strut system  77  may include a plurality of struts  92  disposed adjacent to bead  86 . Struts  92  may extend below a bottom surface of lower walls  80  of plenum  74 , thereby allowing struts  92  to structurally support hood assembly  38  of leading module  28  on a surface of support system  14  when bead  86  is not inflated. Strut system  77  may be included on leading module  28 , intermediate modules  30 , and/or end module  32 . 
     Referring again to  FIGS.  3  and  4   , each intermediate module  30  of structural system  16  may have a housing  94  and a hood assembly  96  that are similar to housing  36  and hood assembly  38  of leading module  28 . 
     In some embodiments, housing  94  may have one or more side window assemblies  98 , one or more door assemblies  100  for accessing a compartment  102 , and a vertical thrust assembly  104  for housing elements of vertical thrust system  20 . Side window assemblies  98 , door assemblies  100 , and vertical thrust assembly  104  may be similar to side window assemblies  44 , door assemblies  46 , and vertical thrust assembly  52 , respectively, of housing  36  of leading module  28 . 
     As depicted in  FIG.  4   , compartment  102  may be disposed within intermediate module  30  and may house any contents suitable for transportation. For example, compartment  102  may contain contents such as retail goods, raw materials, and/or passenger chairs and seats. In some embodiments, compartment  102  may be configured to contain pressurized or unpressurized liquids and/or food. Further, compartment  102  may also include multiple levels of storage, e.g., providing for passengers on an upper level and material storage on a lower level. Contents to be transported may be loaded into compartment  102  via door assembly  100 . Vertical thrust assembly  104  may be disposed within a central portion of compartment  102 , and material may be disposed to the front, rear, and sides of vertical thrust assembly  104 , relative to direction of travel  34 . 
     As depicted in  FIGS.  4  and  6   , hood assembly  96  of intermediate module  30  may include a plenum  106 , a hood  108 , and a strut system  110  that may be similar to plenum  74 , hood  76 , and strut system  77  of leading module  28 . Referring again to  FIGS.  1  and  2   , end module  32  of structural system  16  may be similar to leading module  28  and intermediate module  30 . For example, end module  32  may include a housing  112  and a hood assembly  114  that are similar to housing  36  and hood assembly  38  of leading module  28 . Also, housing  112  may include a horizontal thrust assembly  116  that is similar to horizontal thrust assembly  50  of leading module  28 . Further, housing  112  may include a vertical thrust assembly  118  that is similar to vertical thrust assembly  104  of intermediate module  30 . Also, housing  112  may include a compartment  120  that is similar to compartment  102  of intermediate module  30 . 
     Horizontal thrust system  18  of vehicle  12  may include a forward thrust subsystem  122 , a reverse thrust subsystem  124 , and a maneuver subsystem  126 . Forward thrust subsystem  122  may urge vehicle  12  in a direction of travel  34 , reverse thrust subsystem  124  may urge vehicle  12  in a direction substantially opposite to direction of travel  34 , and maneuver subsystem  126  may provide for the maneuvering of vehicle  12 . 
     Forward thrust subsystem  122  may include one or more power sources  128 , depicted in  FIG.  7   . Power source  128  may be disposed in recess  64  of horizontal thrust assembly  50  of leading module  28 , and supporting components of power source  128  may be disposed in cavity  66  of leading module  28 . It is also contemplated that power source  128  may be located on intermediate module  30  and/or end module  32 . 
     Power source  128  may be any suitable device for producing a thrust to urge vehicle  12  in a direction of travel  34  such as, for example, an internal combustion engine, a battery, a fuel cell, or a motor. For example, as depicted in  FIG.  7   , power source  128  may include a gas turbine engine such as a turbofan engine  130 . Turbofan engine  130  may include a core engine  132 , a fan system  134 , and an additional turbine  136 . Core engine  132  may be surrounded by fan system  134  at a front portion of turbofan engine  130 , and may be surrounded by additional turbine  136  at a rear portion of turbofan engine  130 , with respect to direction of travel  34 . 
     As depicted in  FIG.  7   , core engine  132  may include a core compressor  138 , a core combustion area  140 , a core turbine  142 , and a rotatable core shaft  144 . Core compressor  138  may pressurize air, and fuel may be burned in core combustion area  140  to produce gas with high pressure and velocity. Core turbine  142  may extract energy from the gas having high pressure and velocity. Core engine  132  may thereby produce thrust that urges vehicle  12  in direction of travel  34 . 
     Fan system  134  may include an air inlet  146 , a compressor  147 , a fan  148 , and a bypass  150 . Air inlet  146  may capture ambient air, a portion of which is directed to core compressor  138  and into core engine  132 , and a portion of which is directed to bypass  150 . The air passing through bypass  150  may have a relatively higher velocity, and may add to the thrust produced by turbofan engine  130 . Additional turbine  136  may be attached to turbofan engine  130  by a shaft  152  and may also add to the thrust produced by turbofan engine  130 . 
     As depicted in  FIGS.  1  and  2   , reverse thrust subsystem  124  may include one or more power sources  154  and one or more thrust reversers  156 . Power source  154  may be similar to power source  128  of forward thrust subsystem  122 , except that the orientation of power source  154  may be substantially opposite to that of power source  128 . Therefore, power source  154  may urge vehicle  12  in a direction that is substantially opposite to direction of travel  34 . Power source  154  may be disposed within horizontal thrust assembly  116  of end module  32 , similar to the arrangement of power source  128  within horizontal thrust assembly  50  of leading module  28 , with the exception that the orientation of power source  154  may be reversed. It is also contemplated that power source  154  may be located on leading module  28  and/or one or more intermediate modules  30 . 
     As depicted in  FIG.  7   , one or more thrust reversers  156  of reverse thrust subsystem  124  may be disposed on power source  128  of forward thrust subsystem  122 . Thrust reversers  156  of reverse thrust subsystem  124  may reduce the amount of thrust produced by power source  128  of forward thrust subsystem  122 , thereby reducing the amount of thrust urging vehicle  12  in direction of travel  34 . Thrust reversers  156  may include thrust levers  158 , depicted in  FIG.  7    in a closed position. Thrust reversers may be moved to an open position  160  (depicted in  FIG.  7    as a dashed line), which may close bypass  150  to airflow and eject bypassing air out of bypass  150  in a direction  162 , which may produce thrust partially opposing the remaining thrust produced by power source  128 . Thrust reversers  156  may thereby reduce the net thrust generated by power source  128  in direction of travel  34  when thrust levers  158  are in an open position. 
     As depicted in  FIGS.  1 - 3   , maneuver subsystem  126  of horizontal thrust system  18  may include a plurality of linkage assemblies  127  and a plurality of rudders  129 . Linkage assemblies  127  may connect modules  28 ,  30 , and/or  32 , and rudders  129  may be configured to steer vehicle  12 . 
     As depicted in  FIGS.  1  and  2   , rudders  129  may be located on a top surface of modules  28 ,  30 , and  32 . Rudders  129  may be formed from a material similar to housings  36 ,  94 , and  112  of modules  28 ,  30 , and  32 . Rudders  129  may include actuating elements such as, for example, batteries and motors, to rotate rudders  129  about a substantially vertical axis. Rudders  129  may be controlled by operators of vehicle  12  via control system  27 . Each rudder  129  may be controlled independently from other rudders  129 . In some embodiments, some or all of rudders  129  may be controlled to perform the same movement in unison. 
     In some embodiments, as depicted in  FIG.  1   , linkage assemblies  127  may be disposed at locations  164 , between the modules of structural system  16 . As depicted in  FIGS.  8 ,  9 , and  10   , linkage assemblies  127  may include one or more protrusions  166 , one or more apertures  168 , and one or more flexible bearings  170  at each location  164 . Aperture  168  may be configured to receive protrusion  166 , and flexible bearing  170  may be disposed around protrusion  166  and between modules  28 ,  30 , and/or  32 . 
     As depicted in  FIGS.  8 ,  9 , and  10   , protrusion  166  may be any suitable structural element extending from a front portion and/or a rear portion of modules  28 ,  30 , and  32 . Protrusion  166  may extend over part or substantially all of a front and/or rear wall of modules  28 ,  30 , and  32 . Protrusion  166  may be any suitable shape such as, for example, a rectangular shape having surfaces  172  and  174 . 
     Aperture  168  may be configured to receive protrusion  166 , and may include surfaces  176  and  178 . As depicted in  FIG.  10   , aperture  168  may receive protrusion  166  such that portions of surfaces  176  and  178  abut portions of surfaces  172  and  174 , respectively. Aperture  168  may also include slanted surfaces  180  that may slant outward toward exterior surfaces of modules  28 ,  30 , and/or  32 . 
     Flexible bearing  170  may include any suitable material for providing a bearing connection between modules  28 ,  30 , and/or  32  such as, for example, an elastomeric material, a rubber material, or any other suitable flexible material having significant capacity to expand and contract elastically. Flexible bearing  170  may thereby significantly expand and contract, and undergo large displacements relative to the overall dimensions of flexible bearing  170 , without experiencing significant permanent inelastic deformation. As depicted in  FIG.  8   , flexible bearing  170  may be disposed between modules  28 ,  30 , and/or  32 , and may fill part or substantially all of a gap  181  between modules  28 ,  30 , and  32 . 
     As depicted in  FIG.  9   , flexible bearing  170  may expand and contract based on relative movement of modules  28 ,  30 , and/or  32  such as, for example, when vehicle  12  maneuvers horizontally, makes elevation changes, and/or makes turns while moving on support system  14 . For example, when vehicle  12  turns, gap  181  may expand at a side portion  182  and contract at a side portion  184 . Also, as vehicle  12  turns, slanted surfaces  180  of aperture  168  may provide enough clearance so that protrusion  166  is not obstructed by aperture  168 . Because flexible bearing  170  may have significant capacity to expand, contract, and undergo large displacements elastically, flexible bearing  170  may continuously provide a bearing surface between modules  28 ,  30 , and  32  as side portions  182  and  184  of gap  181  expand and/or contract. As depicted in  FIG.  10   , flexible bearing  170  may contract as gap  181  contracts, for example, when vehicle  12  brakes during an operation of reverse thrust subsystem  124 . 
     Referring back to  FIG.  2   , vertical thrust system  20  of vehicle  12  may include a plurality of vertical thrust subsystems  186  that may be disposed in vertical thrust assembly  52  of leading module  28 , vertical thrust assembly  104  of intermediate modules  30 , and/or vertical thrust assembly  118  of end module  32 . Vertical thrust system  20  may produce an air cushion to urge modules  28 ,  30 , and/or  32  in a substantially vertical, upward direction so that vehicle  12  may hover above a surface of support system  14 . 
     As depicted in  FIG.  5   , each vertical thrust subsystem  186  may include a power source  188 , a shaft  190 , and a fan  192 . Power source  188  may be any suitable power source for driving shaft  190 . Power source  188  may be, for example, a power source that is similar to core engine  132  of forward thrust subsystem  122 . Shaft  190  may be any suitable structural element that may mechanically transfer power output from power source  188  to fan  192 , thereby driving fan  192 . Fan  192  may pressurize air disposed in cavity  82  of plenum  74  of modules  28 ,  30 , and  32 . 
     As depicted in  FIG.  1   , energy system  22  of vehicle  12  may provide energy to power the various systems of vehicle  12 . Energy system  22  may include energy delivery subsystems such as fuel tanks, fuel lines, batteries, electrical converters, and electrical lines that may be disposed in any suitable location of vehicle  12  such as, for example, cavity  66  and assemblies  50  and  52  of leading module  28 , vertical thrust assembly  104  of intermediate modules  30 , and/or horizontal thrust assembly  116  and vertical thrust assembly  118  of end module  32 . Elements of energy system  22  may also be located in any suitable locations within housing  36  of leading module  28 , housing  94  of intermediate modules  30 , and housing  112  of end module  32 . For example, energy system  22  may include any suitable type of liquid, solid, or gaseous fuel stored within containers housed in housings  36 ,  94 , and/or  112  of vehicle  12 , and configured to provide thrust systems  18  and/or  20  with fuel. For example, any suitable liquid fuel such as, for example, gas, gaseous fuel, and/or carbonized or carburized fossil fuels may be provided by energy system  22  to thrust systems  18  and/or  20 . Thus, vehicle  12  may be self-powered by utilizing energy system  22 . 
     Energy system  22  may also transfer power produced by thrust systems  18  and/or  20  to structural system  16  (e.g., for lighting, water supply systems, heating, and cooling), dispensing system  26 , and control system  27  via any suitable power transfer elements such as, for example, electrical lines. Referring back to  FIGS.  1  and  2   , energy system  22  may include energy collectors  194  disposed on exterior surfaces of modules  28 ,  30 , and/or  32 . Energy collectors  194  may include, for example, any suitable device for converting solar energy to electrical energy such as, for example, photovoltaic cells. Energy collectors  194  may also include thermal energy devices for producing power from ambient thermal effects such as, for example, a thermal gradient. Energy collectors  194  may be provided in a substantially flat form having a low profile, so as not to inhibit the effectiveness of the aerodynamics and stability configuration of modules  28 ,  30 , and  32 . For example, flexible energy collectors  194  may be adhered to the exterior surface contours of vehicle  12 . Energy collected by energy collectors  194  may be used to partially or substantially entirely power some or all of the various systems of vehicle  12 . 
     Energy system  22  may provide for an independent self-powering of each of modules  28 ,  30 , and  32 . For example, power sources of thrust systems  18  and/or  20  and energy collectors  194  may be used to power the respective module in which each power source and energy collector  194  is disposed via energy system  22 . Additionally, energy system  22  may provide for an integrated self-powering of the entire vehicle  12 . For example, power from each of the thrust systems  18  and/or  20  and energy collectors  194  may be transferred between modules  28 ,  30 , and/or  32  via energy system  22 , and may be used to power the various systems on some or all of the modules of vehicle  12 . 
     As depicted in  FIG.  6   , dispensing system  26  of vehicle  12  may include a housing  196 , a surface-improving fill  198 , and a dispenser  200 . Housing  196  may contain fill  198 , which may be dispensed by dispenser  200  onto a surface of support system  14 . Fill  198  may include any suitable surface-improving material for improving a surface of support system  14 . For example, fill  198  may include lime, cement, lime-fly ash, fly ash, smooth aggregate, coarse aggregate, and/or water. 
     As depicted in  FIG.  6   , housing  196  may be formed from any structural material suitable for containing pressurized or unpressurized contents. Housing  196  may include a plurality of structural elements  202 ,  204 ,  206 , and  208 , which may be attached to modules  28 ,  30 , and/or  32  and may define a cavity  210 . Fill  198  may be disposed in cavity  210 . 
     Dispensing system  26  may be located at any suitable location of vehicle  12  such as, for example, on or within hood assemblies  38 ,  96 , and/or  114  of vehicle  12 . For example, dispensing system  26  may be located on hood assembly  38  at a front portion of leading module  28 , relative to direction of travel  34 . Dispenser  200  may include any suitable devices for dispensing fill  198  from cavity  210  of housing  196 . For example, dispenser  200  may include a pressurizing device  212  that pressurizes fill  198  such as, for example, a jacking device. Dispenser  200  may also include a delivery device  214  that may include an orifice  216  and a sprayer  218 . Fill  198  may be urged under pressure through orifice  216  and/or driven by sprayer  218  through orifice  216 , thereby dispensing fill  198  from cavity  210 . 
     Control system  27  of vehicle  12  may control the various systems of vehicle  12 . Control system  27  may be located in any suitable location or locations of vehicle  12 . For example, control system  27  may be disposed within housing  36  of leading module  28 , housing  94  of intermediate modules  30 , and/or housing  112  of end module  32 . In some embodiments, control system  27  may be integrated with energy system  22  of vehicle  12 . Input and/or output terminals of control system  27  may be located within compartment  48  of leading module  28 , compartment  102  of intermediate modules  30 , and/or compartment  120  of end module  32  such that operating personnel and/or passengers may access control system  27 . For example, operating personnel located in compartment  48  of leading module  28  may use the input and output terminals to control the operation of lighting, water supply systems, heating, and cooling systems of structural system  16 , the various elements of horizontal thrust system  18 , vertical thrust system  20 , energy system  22 , and/or dispensing system  26 . Control system  27  may also include devices configured to communicate with support system  14  such as, for example, transponders, receivers, transmitters, and/or interrogation devices. Control system  27  may include one or more subsystems for controlling one or more, or all, of modules  28 ,  30 , and  32 . Control system  27  may shift between one or more modes of operation for controlling vehicle  12 . 
     Turning now to support system  14  that supports vehicle  12 , as depicted in  FIG.  11   , support system  14  may include one or more stations  220 , at least one trackless lane  222 , and a guidance system  224 . Station  220  may be located adjacent to lane  222 . Vehicle  12  may travel on lane  222 , and may be guided by guidance system  224 . Support system  14  may be a trackless support system for supporting vehicle  12 . 
     As depicted in  FIG.  12   , station  220  of support system  14  may include a facility  226  and a pad  228 . Pad  228  may be located adjacent to facility  226 , and may support vehicle  12  when vehicle  12  utilizes station  220 . Station  220  may include access to conventional transportation such as, for example, conventional rail systems and highway systems. 
     Facility  226  may include one or more structures for housing support personnel, maintenance equipment, passengers, material for transport, transportation services, and any other items used in conjunction with transporting people and material. Facility  226  may be located adjacent to one or more lanes  222  and pads  228 , such that materials and personnel may be moved between vehicle  12  and facility  226 . 
     As depicted in  FIG.  12   , pad  228  may support vehicle  12  when vehicle  12  utilizes station  220 . Pad  228  may be formed from any material suitable for providing bearing support to vehicle  12  when it is in a non-hovering state. Pad  228  may be formed of stiff and/or flexible material. For example, pad  228  may include stiff materials, such as concrete, asphalt, rubberized asphalt and/or flexible materials, such as elastomeric material and/or rubber. Alternatively, or additionally, in some embodiments, pad  228  may include earth, earth including additives (e.g., lime, cement, lime-fly ash, fly ash, smooth aggregate, coarse aggregate, and/or water), grass, and/or turf. Pad  228  may support vehicle  12  in a hovering state and/or in a non-hovering state. For example, strut systems  77  and  110  of vehicle  12  may be supported on pad  228  when vehicle  12  is in a non-hovering state and bead  86  is not inflated. Pad  228  may be sized to receive some or all of the modules of vehicle  12 . 
     As depicted in  FIG.  13   , lane  222  of support system  14  may include a substantially flat surface  230  and one or more barriers  232  located at peripheries  234  of substantially flat surface  230 . Barriers  232  located at or near peripheries  234  of lane  222  may include any suitable barrier systems such as, for example, metal fencing, wood fencing, plastic fencing, concrete barriers, plastic barriers including a fill (e.g., sand or water), and earthen berms. It is contemplated that barriers  232  may be located at or near a center and/or interior location of lane  222 . It is also contemplated that peripheries  234  of lane  222  may be open and include no barriers. 
     Lane  222  may be trackless. “Trackless” means supporting vehicle  12  without any type of structural element protruding from substantially flat surface  230  to structurally support vehicle  12  such as, for example, conventional railroad rail, reaction rail for tracked hovercraft, magnetic levitation linear rail, rail for supporting a tracked linear induction motor vehicle, monorail track, or any other structural element that protrudes from a surface over which the vehicle travels and mechanically engages or provides a reaction surface for the vehicle. 
     “Substantially flat surface” means a surface that is suitable for hovercraft use such as, for example, a surface without obstructing protrusions large enough to cause significant pressurized air to escape from under inflated bead  86  so that hovering is significantly disrupted and causing, for example, a bottom of bead  86  to drag on the ground. For example, substantially flat surface  230  may include solid ground and ice without obstructing protrusions, a surface of water, and a surface of a swamp. For example, as depicted in  FIG.  14   , substantially flat surface  230  may include a ground surface  236  and/or a water surface  238 . Also for example, as depicted in  FIG.  15   , substantially flat surface  230  may include an ice surface  240  and/or an arctic water surface  242 . Thus, lanes  222  may have substantially flat solid and/or liquid surfaces. Also, lane  222  may include a liquid body having a substantially flat liquid surface, e.g. surfaces  238  and  242 , and may include a solid body having a substantially flat solid surface, e.g., surfaces  236  and  240 . 
     As depicted in  FIG.  16   , support system  14  may include lanes  222  located in areas of the world having significant amounts of substantially flat surfaces  230  such as, for example, tundra area  244  and plains area  246 . Also, for example, lanes  222  may be located in areas having little conventional transportation infrastructure, such as tundra area  244  having vast areas lacking conventional rail, highways, airstrips, and/or ice-free shipping lanes. 
     Referring to  FIG.  13   , guidance system  224  of support system  14  may include a plurality of guidance devices  248 . Guidance devices  248  may be ground-mounted devices that may be located at peripheries  234  of substantially flat surface  230  and/or at interior locations of lane  222  on substantially flat surface  230 . Guidance devices  248  may also be partially or entirely buried below substantially flat surface  230  and/or partially or entirely buried outside of periphery  234  of lane  222 . Guidance devices  248  may also be located below water and/or ice surfaces. Thus, guidance system  224  may include a plurality of guidance devices  248  dispersed on lane  222  and configured to communicate with operators and/or control system  27  of vehicle  12  to guide vehicle  12  between peripheries  234  of lane  222 . 
     Guidance devices  248  may be any suitable device for guiding vehicle  12  such as, for example, a sensor and/or a global positioning system (GPS) device. For example, each guidance device  248  may also include a device configured to send and receive sensed operation data from vehicle  12 . For example, guidance device  248  may include transponders, receivers, transmitters, and/or interrogation devices configured to communicate with communication devices of control system  27  of vehicle  12 . For example, guidance device  248  may be interrogated by a communication device aboard a passing vehicle  12 , and may provide operation data such as location data to control system  27  and/or an operator of vehicle  12 . Guidance device  248  may provide any suitable type of data to vehicle  12  such as, for example, GPS and/or elevation data, ambient condition data such as temperature, motion detection data of obstructions within lane  222 , image data, and/or data regarding a maintenance condition of lane  222 . Guidance devices  248  and communication devices of control system  27  aboard vehicle  12  may communicate via any suitable means such as, for example, radio, microwave line-of-sight, laser optics, and/or wireless communication. Guidance devices  248  may be dispersed intermittently along lane  222 . Guidance devices  248  may thereby communicate with vehicle  12  to continuously provide operators and/or control system  27  of vehicle  12  with data for maneuvering vehicle  12 . 
     In addition to guidance devices  248 , guidance system  224  may also include components located partially or entirely aboard vehicle  12 . For example, guidance system  224  may include a memory such as, for example, a computer-readable medium. The memory may store instructions for executing guidance processes of vehicle  12 . For example, the memory may store information provided by guidance devices  248  and/or data received directly from satellite and other wireless systems. Guidance system  224  may also include a processor for executing the instructions stored in the memory. The processor may be integrated into control system  27  of vehicle  12 . For example, one or more processors of guidance system  224  may provide a geographical route to operators and/or control system  27  of vehicle  12  based on information stored in the memory and provided by both guidance devices  248  and satellite systems, from only guidance devices  248 , and/or from only satellite or other wireless systems. Guidance system  224  may thereby store and process operation data for controlling vehicle  12  based on guidance devices  248 , and also independent from guidance devices  248  via wireless systems. 
     Vehicle  12  of hovering vehicle system  10  may operate with the support of support system  14 . An exemplary operation of hovering vehicle system  10  is described below. 
     Vehicle  12  may begin operation in a shut-down state at station  220 . As depicted in  FIGS.  4  and  12   , passengers and/or materials may be unloaded from vehicle  12  into facility  226  via door assemblies  46  and  100  of modules  28 ,  30 , and/or  32 . Additionally, passengers and/or materials may be loaded from facility  226  into vehicle  12  via door assemblies  46  and  100  of modules  28 ,  30 , and/or  32 . Vehicle  12  may be supported on pad  228  of station  220  via strut systems  77  and  110  of modules  28 ,  30 , and  32 . Energy system  22  may operate to supply the various systems of vehicle  12  with power. Energy collectors  194  and/or power sources of horizontal thrust system  18  and vertical thrust system  20  may operate to provide power to the various systems of vehicle  12  via energy system  22 . 
     After personnel and/or materials are loaded, operators and/or control system  27  of vehicle  12  may operate vertical thrust system  20 . One or more power sources  188  of some or all of vertical thrust subsystems  186  of modules  28 ,  30 , and  32  will drive one or more fans  192  via respective shafts  190 . As depicted in  FIGS.  5  and  6   , fans  192  will pressurize air in cavities  82  of plenums  74  and  106  of modules  28 ,  30 , and  32 . The pressurized air contained in plenums  74  and  106  will be urged by fans  192  into bead interior  90  of beads  86 , thereby inflating beads  86  of modules  28 ,  30 , and  32 . As beads  86  continue to be inflated, the bottom portions of beads  86  will bear against pad  228 , and strut systems  77  and  110  of modules  28 ,  30 , and  32  will eventually be lifted off of pad  228  as beads  86  begin to support an entire weight of vehicle  12 . As beads  86  rest on pad  228 , space  88  will be formed between a surface of beads  86 , an upper surface of pad  228 , and a bottom surface of lower walls  80  of plenums  74  and  106  of modules  28 ,  30 , and  32 . As beads  86  become substantially inflated, fans  192  will urge pressurized air from cavities  82  of plenums  74  and  106  into space  88  via apertures  84 , thereby increasingly pressurizing the air in space  88 . Fans  192  will continue to urge pressurized air into space  88  until the pressure of the air in space  88  becomes high enough to overcome gravitational forces due to the weight of vehicle  12 , thereby urging beads  86  of vehicle  12  off of the ground and allowing some of the highly pressurized air in space  88  to escape. Fans  192  may thereby operate to form an air cushion  250  (i.e., a continuous curtain or jet of pressurized air) between a bottom of beads  86  of modules  28 ,  30 , and  32  and pad  228 , as some pressurized air continuously escapes from space  88 . An annular ring of airflow, or a momentum curtain, may thereby be produced by beads  86 , providing lift based on the pressurized air in space  88 . Operators and/or control system  27  may vary air cushion  250  via control of fans  192  of vertical thrust system  20 . Vehicle  12  may thereby hover over pad  228 , supported by air cushion  250 . Although remaining substantially stationary above pad  228 , hovering vehicle  12  may not be in direct contact with pad  228  while hovering. Air cushion  250  also provides an effective suspension system for vehicle  12 . Air cushion  250  may also be generated against substantially flat surfaces  230  away from station  220 , e.g., when vehicle  12  for some reason has been stopped in a shut-down state on lane  222  between stations  220 . 
     As vehicle  12  hovers above pad  228 , operators and/or control system  27  may operate horizontal thrust system  18 . Turbofan engines  130  of forward thrust subsystem  122  may be activated and operated to produce forward thrust to move vehicle  12  in direction of travel  34 . Vehicle  12  may move away from station  220  and pad  228 , and may move over substantially flat surface  230  of lane  222 . Because vehicle  12  is supported by air cushion  250 , turbofans  130  may move vehicle  12  substantially without resistance from frictional forces produced by contact between vehicle  12  and pad  228  and/or substantially flat surface  230 . Operators and/or control system  27  of vehicle  12  may control the thrust generated by forward thrust subsystem  122  to control a speed of vehicle  12  in direction of travel  34 . Vehicle  12  may thus be a self-powered vehicle that is configured to generate air cushion  250  on substantially flat surface  230 , and move over substantially flat surface  230  on air cushion  250 . 
     As depicted in  FIGS.  11  and  13   , vehicle  12  moves while hovering in direction of travel  34  over substantially flat surface  230 , along lane  222 . As depicted in  FIGS.  14  and  15   , vehicle  12  hovers over land, ice, and/or water as it moves over support system  14 , e.g., ground surface  236 , water surfaces  238  and  242 , and ice surface  240 , as well as other substantially flat surfaces such as swampland. 
     As vehicle  12  moves along lane  222 , operators and/or control system  27  aboard vehicle  12  communicate with guidance system  224 . Operators and/or control system  27  receive operating data (e.g., GPS data, temperature, motion detection data, image data, maintenance condition data, and ambient condition data) from guidance devices  248  and/or wireless networks (e.g., satellite systems). Operators and/or control system  27  use the data received from and/or processed by guidance system  224  to control maneuvering of vehicle  12  and the various systems of vehicle  12 . For example, if vehicle  12  moves close to periphery  234  of lane  222 , guidance system  224  will provide corresponding data and output to operators and/or control system  27  describing the operation status of vehicle  12 . Operators and/or control system  27  may make corresponding operating adjustments to vehicle  12  (e.g., maneuver vehicle  12  away from periphery  234 ). Operators and/or control system  27  may thereby communicate with guidance system  224 , which is configured to guide vehicle  12  between peripheries  234  of trackless lane  222 , to maneuver vehicle  12 . 
     Operators and/or control system  27  operate maneuver subsystem  126  of horizontal thrust system  18  to maneuver vehicle  12  on support system  14 . Operators and/or control system  27  control rudders  129  to steer vehicle  12 . Operators and/or control system  27  control some or all of rudders  129 , either independently, partially in unison, or in unison, to rotate to increase and/or decrease a surface area of rudder  129  impacted by flowing air as vehicle  12  moves. The resulting increasing and decreasing forces applied to rudders  129  disposed on varying parts of vehicle  12  influence a direction in which modules  28 ,  30 , and/or  32  will be urged. Operators and/or control system  27  may thereby steer vehicle  12  along lanes  222  of support system  14  manually and/or using algorithms designed to rotate rudders  129  based on a desired steering direction of modules  28 ,  30 , and/or  32 . 
     As a varying rotation of rudders  129  steers hovering vehicle  12  on support system  14 , linkage assemblies  127  displace as depicted in  FIGS.  8  and  9   . Flexible bearing  170  expands and contracts based on relative movement of modules  28 ,  30 , and/or  32 . For example, when vehicle  12  turns, gap  181  expands at a side portion  182  and contracts at a side portion  184 , and slanted surfaces  180  of aperture  168  provide sufficient clearance so that protrusion  166  is not obstructed by aperture  168 . 
     As vehicle  12  hovers over substantially flat surface  230  of lane  222 , operators and/or control system  27  may operate dispensing system  26 . When dispensing system  26  is activated, dispenser  200  dispenses fill  198  stored in housing  196  onto substantially flat surface  230 . Dispensing system  26  thereby sprays lime, cement, lime-fly ash, fly ash, smooth aggregate, coarse aggregate, and/or water onto lane  222  as vehicle  12  hovers over substantially flat surface  230 . As various vehicles  12  pass over lanes  222 , the sprayed lime, cement, lime-fly ash, fly ash, smooth aggregate, coarse aggregate, and water increase the smoothness of substantially flat surface  230 . Also, the pressure exerted by air cushion  250  contributes to the improvement of substantially flat surface  230 , making substantially flat surface  230  smoother and increasingly level. Because air cushions become more efficient as the supporting surface becomes smoother, the operation of dispensing system  26  improves the efficiency of vehicles  12  by causing substantially flat surface  230  to be an increasingly smooth, flat, and level surface. 
     Operators and/or control system  27  may activate reverse thrust subsystem  124  of horizontal thrust system  18  to stop vehicle  12 . In order to exert reverse thrust, thrust levers  158  of thrust reversers  156  may move to the open position  160  depicted in  FIG.  7   , thereby closing bypass  150 , and ejecting the previously bypassing airflow out of bypass  150  in direction  162  to produce thrust partially opposing the forward thrust produced by power source  128  of forward thrust subsystem  122 . The forward thrust being produced by power source  128  in direction of travel  34  may be reduced and power source  128  may also be powered off. Additionally, power source  154  of reverse thrust subsystem  124  is activated to produce thrust to urge vehicle  12  in a direction that is substantially opposite to direction of travel  34 . As vehicle  12  stops, flexible bearings  170  of linkage assemblies  127  contract as gap  181  contracts, as depicted in  FIG.  10   . Because protrusions  166  are received within apertures  168 , and linkage assemblies  127  are compressed during braking, horizontal stability of vehicle  12  may be improved. For example, detrimental results of braking such as jack-knifing are substantially prevented. 
     Operators and/or control system  27  may stop vehicle  12  and set it down at anytime, for example, at another station  220  or at a ground surface  236  of support system  14 . After reverse thrust subsystem  124  has substantially stopped vehicle  12 , vertical thrust subsystem  20  may be controlled to control fans  192  to reduce the amount of pressurized air directed into space  88 , depicted in  FIGS.  5  and  6   . The pressure of the air in space  88  decreases until air cushion  250  dissipates and a bottom of bead  86  contacts substantially flat surface  230  and/or pad  228 , thereby supporting the weight of vehicle  12 . Fans  192  continue to decrease the pressure of air within plenums  74  and  106  of modules  28 ,  30 , and  32  until the pressure of air within bead interior  90  decreases, allowing beads  86  to deflate. Fans  192  continue to decrease operation and/or stop, continuing to deflate beads  86 , until strut systems  77  and  110  of modules  28 ,  30 , and  32  contact substantially flat surface  230  and/or pad  228 . Once beads  86  become substantially deflated, strut systems  77  and  110  will support an entire weight of vehicle  12 . If vehicle  12  is at station  220 , passengers and/or materials to be transported may be again loaded and/or unloaded from facility  226  into vehicle  12  via door assemblies  46  and  100  of modules  28 ,  30 , and  32 . 
     Several benefits may be associated with hovering vehicle system  10 . Because hovering vehicle system  10  requires little man-made infrastructure, significant infrastructure costs associated with conventional transportations systems may be avoided (e.g., rail lines, bridges, and electrical distribution systems for tracks). Hovering vehicle system  10  may provide transportation in areas where conventional transportation systems are limited (e.g., partially frozen water bodies, remote areas lacking roads and other conventional transportation links, swampland, arctic areas, desert, and areas having a patchwork of land and water). For example, hovering vehicle system  10  may provide an economical transportation system for rural plains, arctic areas, tundra, partially or fully frozen water bodies, and water bodies that are partially or fully un-navigable because of ice. For example, hovering vehicle system  10  may provide commercially viable transportation in relatively flat, sparsely populated areas such as, for example, parts of the U.S. Midwest, Australia, Canada, and Russia. Also, hovering vehicle system  10  may provide a transportation system that improves its infrastructure during operation through an operation of dispensing system  26 . 
     It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made to the disclosed apparatus and method. Other embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art from consideration of the specification and practice of the disclosed method and apparatus. It is intended that the specification and examples be considered as exemplary only, with a true scope being indicated by the following claims and their equivalents.