Patent ID: 8146508

Claim:
A pneumatic transportation system comprising a tubular pathway forming a travel path, said tubular pathway having a first end and an opposite second end; and a multi-car vehicle within said tubular pathway, said multi-car vehicle traveling in response to a pressure differential within the tubular pathway, said multi-car vehicle having a plurality of guide wheels; and a power system comprising: a plurality of turbines, including a first turbine located adjacent to the first end of the tubular pathway, and a second turbine located adjacent to the second end of the tubular pathway; and a plurality of heat recovery steam generators, including a first heat recovery steam generator operably coupled to the first turbine, and a second heat recovery steam generator operably coupled to the second turbine; and a plurality of pneumatic impellers, including a first pneumatic impeller mechanically driven by the first turbine, said first pneumatic impeller being located at the first end of the tubular pathway, and a second pneumatic impeller mechanically driven by the second turbine, said second pneumatic impeller being located at the second end of the tubular pathway.