US3566800A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Transportation system
Assignee: Susquehanna Corp
•
Filing: 1967-11-28
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Granted: 1971-03-02
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Expires: 1987-11-28
Abstract
Abstract A novel transportation system is described including a payload carrying vehicle, and a close fitting tube through which the vehicle travels. Aerodynamic drag on the vehicle is substantially eliminated by effecting, thermodynamically, a phase change in the tube medium in advance of the vehicle which is reversible to the rear of the vehicle.
Inventors
- 👤 Raymond L Chuan
- 👤 Norman V Petersen
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 17:29
CPC Classifications
B; B61; B61B; B61B13/00; B61B13/12; B61B13/122
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
69 words
Method of passing an ambient gaseous medium enclosed within a space defined by a wall around a vehicle passing therethrough which includes condensing said medium locally in advance of the vehicle against said wall, maintaining said medium in the condensed phase locally adjacent said vehicle during relative movement of said medium and said vehicle and restoring said medium to its normally ambient condition to the rear of said vehicle.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
69 words
Method of passing an ambient gaseous medium enclosed within a space defined by a wall around a vehicle passing therethrough which includes condensing said medium locally in advance of the vehicle against said wall, maintaining said medium in the condensed phase locally adjacent said vehicle during relative movement of said medium and said vehicle and restoring said medium to its normally ambient condition to the rear of said vehicle.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 1 wherein portions of said wall adjacent locations of medium condensation are maintained in an essentially isothermal condition.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 2 wherein an essentially constant temperature body is in heat-conductive relation to said wall.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
10 words
The method of claim 3 wherein said body is water.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
11 words
The method of claim 3 wherein said body is the ground.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
41 words
Method of operating a vehicle in an elongated confined space having an ambient gaseous medium therein including advancing said vehicle within the medium in the space and condensing said medium locally in advance of the vehicle to reduce aerodynamic drag thereon.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
41 words
Method of operating a vehicle in an elongated confined space having an ambient gaseous medium therein including advancing said vehicle within the medium in the space and condensing said medium locally in advance of the vehicle to reduce aerodynamic drag thereon.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
34 words
Method according to claim 6 including confining said medium within a boundary defining a path of vehicle advancement, and pressurizing said medium by advancement of the vehicle thereagainst to effect condensation of said medium.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
13 words
Method claimed in claim 6 including also removing phase-change-produced heat from said space.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
20 words
Method claimed in claim 6 including also restoring said medium to the gaseous condition to the rear of said vehicle.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method of claim 6 comprising the additional step of providing the vehicle with propelling means including a jet structure to receive the condensed medium and to expel the medium in thrust-producing state.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US2296771A
Cited
US2511979A
Cited
US3006288A
Cited
US3213802A
Cited
US3368496A
Cited
US3438337A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-03-01 | 1974-08-31 | 1975-03-02 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-03-01 | 1978-08-31 | 1979-03-02 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-03-01 | 1982-08-31 | 1983-03-02 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |