Patent ID: 8261668

Claim:
A vehicle system comprising: a vehicle including: a train, a ski surface disposed below the train, and a propulsion system attached to the train to provide thrust to propel the train; and a track including: a channel having a first impermeable side, a second impermeable side opposite the first impermeable side, and a bottom, and a porous material including a plurality of fibers of substantially uniform radius, the porous material being disposed within the channel above the bottom and extending from the first impermeable side to the second impermeable side, the porous material having air disposed therein and configured such that the air substantially supports the weight of the vehicle when the vehicle travels above a predetermined velocity, wherein the ski surface has a front end and a trailing edge and is configured to have a downward tilt angle toward the trailing edge with respect to the top surface of the porous material when the vehicle is propelled along the track by propulsion system such that air within the porous material provides a lift force on the ski surface.