Patent US3797405A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3797405A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Mass transportation system
Assignee: Georgia Tech Research Institute
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Filing: 1971-05-04
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Granted: 1974-03-19
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Expires: 1991-05-04
Abstract
Abstract A mass transit system for use in moving a load carrying vehicle along a predetermined route between a number of load handling stations. The mass transportation system includes an unobstructed tube transport means located along the predetermined route. A vehicle provided with antifriction support is conveyed through the tube transport means by the momentum of driving air provided by one or more pumping devices which extracts a fraction of the air flow and substantially immediately reintroduces the air into the tube to create or restore the necessary air momentum. The tube may be continuous or non-continuous and is characterized by uniform cross section and the fact that it provides the support for the vehicle. The vehicle is shaped in cross section so as to substantially fill the cross section of the tube but not completely, so as to allow driving air to flow continuously within the tube even though the vehicle may be traveling at a speed substantially less than the mean velocity of the driving air, as on acceleration or deceleration of the vehicle. The vehicle body is also shaped to provide high drag characteristics so that it may travel within the tube at substantially the same velocity as the driving air. Loading and unloading stations are provided in the system in open communication with the ambient atmosphere, thereby allowing ease of loading and unloading. Each of the pumping devices used for delivering the driving air to the tube transport means is positioned between loading and unloading stations and is capable of producing a high mass rate of air flow at very low static pressure and the loading and unloading stations for the vehicle are positioned at points within the tube system where the static pressure is at or near atmospheric pressure.
Inventors
- 👤 M Carstens
- 👤 H Bates
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 21:22
CPC Classifications
B; B65; B65G; B65G51/00; B65G51/04; B61; B61B; B61B13/00; B61B13/12; B61B13/122
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 26
Claim 1
Independent Claim
296 words
A vehicle transportation system comprising, in combination: a tube system having a main section of substantially uniform cross-sectional shape and adapted to convey a vehicle axially therethrough, said tube system also including a first loadhandling portion located at a first region of said section and a second load handling portion located at a second region of said main section, said first and second load handling portions being open to ambient atmosphere; drive means for producing a continuously moving stream of air through said main section at a predetermined velocity and in a direction from said first region to said second region of said main section, said drive means including at least one air pumping device located between said first region and said second region, said air pumping device having an inlet and having an outlet discharging substantially axially toward said second region said drive means creating a negative pressure downstream of said first region and a positive pressure upstream of said second region but with the pressure at said load handling portions being at ambient atmospheric pressure while establishing air flow at said predetermined velocity; and a load carrying vehicle within said tube system, said vehicle having a body provided with antifriction means for supporting the vehicle within said main section, said body being shaped to provide a high coefficient of drag within said stream of air and having maximum cross-sectional shape only slightly smaller than said cross-sectional shape of the main section whereby the vehicle is swept along by the momentum of said stream of air while providing a clearance space with said main section sufficient to allow the stream of air to circulate continuously past said vehicle to said second region irrespective of velocity differentials which may exist between said vehicle and the air.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
296 words
A vehicle transportation system comprising, in combination: a tube system having a main section of substantially uniform cross-sectional shape and adapted to convey a vehicle axially therethrough, said tube system also including a first loadhandling portion located at a first region of said section and a second load handling portion located at a second region of said main section, said first and second load handling portions being open to ambient atmosphere; drive means for producing a continuously moving stream of air through said main section at a predetermined velocity and in a direction from said first region to said second region of said main section, said drive means including at least one air pumping device located between said first region and said second region, said air pumping device having an inlet and having an outlet discharging substantially axially toward said second region said drive means creating a negative pressure downstream of said first region and a positive pressure upstream of said second region but with the pressure at said load handling portions being at ambient atmospheric pressure while establishing air flow at said predetermined velocity; and a load carrying vehicle within said tube system, said vehicle having a body provided with antifriction means for supporting the vehicle within said main section, said body being shaped to provide a high coefficient of drag within said stream of air and having maximum cross-sectional shape only slightly smaller than said cross-sectional shape of the main section whereby the vehicle is swept along by the momentum of said stream of air while providing a clearance space with said main section sufficient to allow the stream of air to circulate continuously past said vehicle to said second region irrespective of velocity differentials which may exist between said vehicle and the air.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
230 words
A vehicle transportation system comprising, in combination: an endless tube system; means for producing a continuously moving stream of air in one direction within said tube system at a predetermined mean velocity; a vehicle of high drag coefficient within said tube system and only partially filling the cross-section thereof so as to be swept along by said stream oF air; said tube system having a main section of substantially uniform cross-sectional shape throughout adapted to convey said vehicle and said stream of air axially there through, said main section having vehicle loading handling portions at spaced points along the tube system and which are in open communication with ambient atmosphere, and bypass means associated with each load handling portion to allow maintenance of the flow of said stream of air through the tube system when a load handling portion contains a vehicle at rest; said means comprising a series of air pumping devices withdrawing system air at spaced points along said tube system and reintroducing it substantially axially thereinto in said one direction adjacent to the withdrawal points; and said load-handling portions being disposed between adjacent points of air reintroduction, and said air pumping devices creating a negative pressure downstream of each load handling portion and a positive pressure upstream of each load handling portion but with the pressure at said load handling portions being substantially at ambient atmospheric pressure.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
230 words
A vehicle transportation system comprising, in combination: an endless tube system; means for producing a continuously moving stream of air in one direction within said tube system at a predetermined mean velocity; a vehicle of high drag coefficient within said tube system and only partially filling the cross-section thereof so as to be swept along by said stream oF air; said tube system having a main section of substantially uniform cross-sectional shape throughout adapted to convey said vehicle and said stream of air axially there through, said main section having vehicle loading handling portions at spaced points along the tube system and which are in open communication with ambient atmosphere, and bypass means associated with each load handling portion to allow maintenance of the flow of said stream of air through the tube system when a load handling portion contains a vehicle at rest; said means comprising a series of air pumping devices withdrawing system air at spaced points along said tube system and reintroducing it substantially axially thereinto in said one direction adjacent to the withdrawal points; and said load-handling portions being disposed between adjacent points of air reintroduction, and said air pumping devices creating a negative pressure downstream of each load handling portion and a positive pressure upstream of each load handling portion but with the pressure at said load handling portions being substantially at ambient atmospheric pressure.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
249 words
A vehicle transportation system comprising: a tube of substantially uniform cross-sectional shape and free from obstructions so as to pass a vehicle of similar section freely and without impediment; a vehicle within said tube, said vehicle having a body provided with antifriction means for supporting the vehicle within said tube, said body being shaped to provide a high coefficient of drag and having a cross-sectional shape only slightly smaller than said cross-sectional shape of the tube whereby the body is spaced from the tube by the antifriction means but presents a body of high drag characteristic within said tube; drive means for maintaining a continuous movement of air through said tube at a predetermined mean velocity substantially at which it is desired to drive said vehicle, said drive means comprising a series of air pumping devices each withdrawing air from the system and reintroducing it generally axially into said tube in the direction of vehicle travel; passage means for communicating said tube with ambient atmosphere between the points of air reintroduction of at least some of the adjacent pairs of air pumping devices; a portion of said tube at said passage means accommodating the loading-unloading of said vehicle; said drive means creating a negative pressure downstream of each said portion and a positive pressure upstream of each said portion but with the pressure being at ambient pressure at said loading-unloading portions; and means for allowing the driving air freely to by-pass said portions when a vehicle is stopped therein.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
249 words
A vehicle transportation system comprising: a tube of substantially uniform cross-sectional shape and free from obstructions so as to pass a vehicle of similar section freely and without impediment; a vehicle within said tube, said vehicle having a body provided with antifriction means for supporting the vehicle within said tube, said body being shaped to provide a high coefficient of drag and having a cross-sectional shape only slightly smaller than said cross-sectional shape of the tube whereby the body is spaced from the tube by the antifriction means but presents a body of high drag characteristic within said tube; drive means for maintaining a continuous movement of air through said tube at a predetermined mean velocity substantially at which it is desired to drive said vehicle, said drive means comprising a series of air pumping devices each withdrawing air from the system and reintroducing it generally axially into said tube in the direction of vehicle travel; passage means for communicating said tube with ambient atmosphere between the points of air reintroduction of at least some of the adjacent pairs of air pumping devices; a portion of said tube at said passage means accommodating the loading-unloading of said vehicle; said drive means creating a negative pressure downstream of each said portion and a positive pressure upstream of each said portion but with the pressure being at ambient pressure at said loading-unloading portions; and means for allowing the driving air freely to by-pass said portions when a vehicle is stopped therein.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
221 words
A vehicle transportation system comprising: a tube of substantially uniform cross-sectional shape and smooth interior and free from obstructions so as to pass a vehicle of similar section freely and without impediment; a vehicle within said tube, said vehicle having a body provided with antifriction means for supporting the vehicle within the tube and from the tube interior, said body being shaped to provide a high coefficient of drag and having a cross-sectional shape only slightly smaller than said cross-sectional shape of the tube whereby the body is spaced from the tube but presents a body of high drag characteristic within said tube; drive means for maintaining a continuous movement of air through said tube at a predetermined mean velocity substantially at which it is desired to drive said vehicle, said drive means comprising at least one air pumping device withdrawing air from the system reintroducing it generally axially into said tube in the direction of vehicle travel; said tube having vehicle loading-unloading portions which are in open communication with ambient atmosphere; and said drive means being positioned between said loading-unloading portions and operatively connected for creating in said tube a negative pressure upstream of sAid drive means and a positive pressure downstream of said drive means but with the pressure at said vehicle loading-unloading portions being at ambient atmospheric pressure.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
221 words
A vehicle transportation system comprising: a tube of substantially uniform cross-sectional shape and smooth interior and free from obstructions so as to pass a vehicle of similar section freely and without impediment; a vehicle within said tube, said vehicle having a body provided with antifriction means for supporting the vehicle within the tube and from the tube interior, said body being shaped to provide a high coefficient of drag and having a cross-sectional shape only slightly smaller than said cross-sectional shape of the tube whereby the body is spaced from the tube but presents a body of high drag characteristic within said tube; drive means for maintaining a continuous movement of air through said tube at a predetermined mean velocity substantially at which it is desired to drive said vehicle, said drive means comprising at least one air pumping device withdrawing air from the system reintroducing it generally axially into said tube in the direction of vehicle travel; said tube having vehicle loading-unloading portions which are in open communication with ambient atmosphere; and said drive means being positioned between said loading-unloading portions and operatively connected for creating in said tube a negative pressure upstream of sAid drive means and a positive pressure downstream of said drive means but with the pressure at said vehicle loading-unloading portions being at ambient atmospheric pressure.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
261 words
A mass transit system comprising, in combination: an endless tube of substantially uniform cross-sectional shape throughout and free from obstructions so as to pass a vehicle of similar section freely and without impediment; a passenger vehicle within said tube, said vehicle having a body provided with means for supporting the vehicle within said tube, said body being shaped to provide a high coefficient of drag within said tube and having a cross-sectional shape only slightly smaller than said cross-sectional shape of the tube whereby the vehicle presents a body of high drag characteristic within said tube while allowing air to flow past the vehicle; drive means for maintaining a continuous movement of air through said tube at a predetermined mean velocity substantially at which it is desired to drive said vehicle, said drive means comprising a series of air pumping devices each withdrawing air from the system and reintroducing it generally axially into said tube in the direction of vehicle travel; passage means for communicating said tube with ambient atmosphere between the points of air reintroduction of at least some of the adjacent pairs of air pumping devices, and the points of air reintroduction being serially spaced throughout the length of the tube sufficiently close to obtain a pressure drop at the region of each withdrawal and reintroduction which is tolerable to humans; a portion of said tube at least one of said passage means accommodating the loading and unloading of passengers; and means for routing the driving air around said vehicle when said vehicle is at rest at said portion.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
261 words
A mass transit system comprising, in combination: an endless tube of substantially uniform cross-sectional shape throughout and free from obstructions so as to pass a vehicle of similar section freely and without impediment; a passenger vehicle within said tube, said vehicle having a body provided with means for supporting the vehicle within said tube, said body being shaped to provide a high coefficient of drag within said tube and having a cross-sectional shape only slightly smaller than said cross-sectional shape of the tube whereby the vehicle presents a body of high drag characteristic within said tube while allowing air to flow past the vehicle; drive means for maintaining a continuous movement of air through said tube at a predetermined mean velocity substantially at which it is desired to drive said vehicle, said drive means comprising a series of air pumping devices each withdrawing air from the system and reintroducing it generally axially into said tube in the direction of vehicle travel; passage means for communicating said tube with ambient atmosphere between the points of air reintroduction of at least some of the adjacent pairs of air pumping devices, and the points of air reintroduction being serially spaced throughout the length of the tube sufficiently close to obtain a pressure drop at the region of each withdrawal and reintroduction which is tolerable to humans; a portion of said tube at least one of said passage means accommodating the loading and unloading of passengers; and means for routing the driving air around said vehicle when said vehicle is at rest at said portion.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
24 words
In a vehicle transportation system as defined in claim 1 wherein said drive means is operative to generate air flow in either direction therethrough.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
172 words
In a cargo transport system, a tube having a substantially uniform cross-section for guiding a vehicle therein; means for generating a high mass rate of flow of low pressure air within said tube in either direction therethrough, said means including a fan device having an air intake inducting a fractional part only of the flowing air and having an air outlet discharging air substantially axially within the tube; a wheeled vehicle supported in said tube, said vehicle having a cross-section provided substantially but not completely filling the tuge cross-section thereby to be swept along by said high mass rate of flow of low pressure air while allowing air to flow therepast so as to maintain the flow of air within said tube regardless of the relative velocity of said vehicle with respect to the velocity of the air flow within said tube; and wherein each end of said tube is open to the atmosphere at both ends provided with an opening to ambient atmosphere and a dead-end section beyond each such opening.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
172 words
In a cargo transport system, a tube having a substantially uniform cross-section for guiding a vehicle therein; means for generating a high mass rate of flow of low pressure air within said tube in either direction therethrough, said means including a fan device having an air intake inducting a fractional part only of the flowing air and having an air outlet discharging air substantially axially within the tube; a wheeled vehicle supported in said tube, said vehicle having a cross-section provided substantially but not completely filling the tuge cross-section thereby to be swept along by said high mass rate of flow of low pressure air while allowing air to flow therepast so as to maintain the flow of air within said tube regardless of the relative velocity of said vehicle with respect to the velocity of the air flow within said tube; and wherein each end of said tube is open to the atmosphere at both ends provided with an opening to ambient atmosphere and a dead-end section beyond each such opening.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
147 words
An air driving device for use in conveying a high drag characteristic vehicle freely through a tube on anti-friction devices connected to the vehicle adjacent the bottom thereof between a loading portion and an unloading portion of the tube comprising: said driving device including an unobstructed inlet, a pump, and a nozzle in series, all of which are positioned outside said tube for maintaining a movement of air axially within said tube; said inlet being upstream from the nozzle and both said inlet and nozzle being connected to the tube adjacent only the top of the tube thereby avoiding interference with the antifriction devices on the vehicle; said inlet and nozzle being positioned between said loading portion and said unloading portion of the tube; and said driving device being sized whereby the quantity of flow through the pump is less than half the flow in the tube
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
147 words
An air driving device for use in conveying a high drag characteristic vehicle freely through a tube on anti-friction devices connected to the vehicle adjacent the bottom thereof between a loading portion and an unloading portion of the tube comprising: said driving device including an unobstructed inlet, a pump, and a nozzle in series, all of which are positioned outside said tube for maintaining a movement of air axially within said tube; said inlet being upstream from the nozzle and both said inlet and nozzle being connected to the tube adjacent only the top of the tube thereby avoiding interference with the antifriction devices on the vehicle; said inlet and nozzle being positioned between said loading portion and said unloading portion of the tube; and said driving device being sized whereby the quantity of flow through the pump is less than half the flow in the tube
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
237 words
A vehicle transportation system comprising, a tube of substantially uniform cross-sectional shaPe and smooth interior and free from obstructions so as to pass a vehicle of similar section freely and without impediment; a vehicle within said tube, said vehicle having a body provided with anti-friction means adjacent the bottom thereof for supporting the vehicle within the tube and from the tube interior, said body having a cross-sectional shape only slightly smaller than said cross-sectional shape of the tube whereby the body is spaced from the tube but presents a body of high drag characteristic within said tube; said tube having vehicle loading and unloading portions which are in open communication with the ambient atmosphere; drive means for maintaining a movement of air through said tube at a predetermined mean velocity substantially at which it is desired to drive said vehicle, said drive means including an inlet, a pump, and a nozzle in series, all of which are positioned outside said tube, said inlet being upstream from the nozzle and both said inlet and nozzle being connected to the tube adjacent only the top of the tube thereby avoiding interference with the anti-friction devices on the vehicle, said inlet and nozzle being positioned between a loading and an unloading portion of the tube, and said pumping device sized whereby the quantity of flow through the pumping device is a fraction of the quantity of flow through the tube.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
237 words
A vehicle transportation system comprising, a tube of substantially uniform cross-sectional shaPe and smooth interior and free from obstructions so as to pass a vehicle of similar section freely and without impediment; a vehicle within said tube, said vehicle having a body provided with anti-friction means adjacent the bottom thereof for supporting the vehicle within the tube and from the tube interior, said body having a cross-sectional shape only slightly smaller than said cross-sectional shape of the tube whereby the body is spaced from the tube but presents a body of high drag characteristic within said tube; said tube having vehicle loading and unloading portions which are in open communication with the ambient atmosphere; drive means for maintaining a movement of air through said tube at a predetermined mean velocity substantially at which it is desired to drive said vehicle, said drive means including an inlet, a pump, and a nozzle in series, all of which are positioned outside said tube, said inlet being upstream from the nozzle and both said inlet and nozzle being connected to the tube adjacent only the top of the tube thereby avoiding interference with the anti-friction devices on the vehicle, said inlet and nozzle being positioned between a loading and an unloading portion of the tube, and said pumping device sized whereby the quantity of flow through the pumping device is a fraction of the quantity of flow through the tube.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
247 words
A mass transit system for use in moving a load-carrying vehicle along a predetermined route between a number of load handling stations comprising, in combination: a. a load-carrying vehicle; b. transport tube means located along said predetermined route, said tube means detailed in design to provide a conveying means for said load-carrying vehicle; c. at least two load handling stations operatively associated with said tube means at axially spaced locations for loading and unloading relative of said vehicle, each station including a vehicle-receiving section and an air by-pass section in which said sections are arranged to provide parallel branches of said tube means and wherein said vehicle-receiving section is open to ambient atmosphere; d. drive means connected between said load handling stations for producing a high mass rate flow stream of low pressure air filling said tube means and flowing in the direction from one load handling station toward the other load handling station wherein the flow of air exhibits a negative pressure downstream of said one load handling station and a positive pressure upstream of said other load handling station and wherein each said load handling station is open to ambient atmosphere, and e. said load-carrying vehicle being of a shape to present a high coefficient of drag in said stream of air and having a cross-sectional shape allowing flow of said stream of air to be maintained within and through said tube means irrespective of the disposition and velocity of said vehicle in said stream.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
247 words
A mass transit system for use in moving a load-carrying vehicle along a predetermined route between a number of load handling stations comprising, in combination: a. a load-carrying vehicle; b. transport tube means located along said predetermined route, said tube means detailed in design to provide a conveying means for said load-carrying vehicle; c. at least two load handling stations operatively associated with said tube means at axially spaced locations for loading and unloading relative of said vehicle, each station including a vehicle-receiving section and an air by-pass section in which said sections are arranged to provide parallel branches of said tube means and wherein said vehicle-receiving section is open to ambient atmosphere; d. drive means connected between said load handling stations for producing a high mass rate flow stream of low pressure air filling said tube means and flowing in the direction from one load handling station toward the other load handling station wherein the flow of air exhibits a negative pressure downstream of said one load handling station and a positive pressure upstream of said other load handling station and wherein each said load handling station is open to ambient atmosphere, and e. said load-carrying vehicle being of a shape to present a high coefficient of drag in said stream of air and having a cross-sectional shape allowing flow of said stream of air to be maintained within and through said tube means irrespective of the disposition and velocity of said vehicle in said stream.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus of claim 5 wherein the air pressure in the conduit is less than 1 psi.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
239 words
A vehicle transportation system comprising, a conduit system having a main section of substantially uniform cross-sectional shape for conveying a vehicle axially therethrough, said conduit system including a loading portion located at a first region of said section and an unloading portion located at a second region of said main section, said loading and unloading portions being open to atmospheric pressure at both ends and including a dead-end section beyond each end, and said conduit system including air by-pass means arranged in parallel with each said loading portion and said unloading portion, drive means for continuously producing a flow of air within said system for moving a vehicle through said system, said drive means including a booster pump between the loading and the unloading portions to maintain a negative pressure downstream of the loading station to said booster pump and a positive pressure from said booster pump to the unloading statiOn, a load carrying vehicle within said system, said vehicle having a body provided with antifriction means for supporting the vehicle within said main section, said body being shaped to present a high coefficient of drag in said flow of air and having a maximum cross-sectional shape smaller than said main section whereby the vehicle is swept along by the momentum of said air while providing a clearance space between the interior of the conduit system and the vehicle to allow the air continuously to flow within said system.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
239 words
A vehicle transportation system comprising, a conduit system having a main section of substantially uniform cross-sectional shape for conveying a vehicle axially therethrough, said conduit system including a loading portion located at a first region of said section and an unloading portion located at a second region of said main section, said loading and unloading portions being open to atmospheric pressure at both ends and including a dead-end section beyond each end, and said conduit system including air by-pass means arranged in parallel with each said loading portion and said unloading portion, drive means for continuously producing a flow of air within said system for moving a vehicle through said system, said drive means including a booster pump between the loading and the unloading portions to maintain a negative pressure downstream of the loading station to said booster pump and a positive pressure from said booster pump to the unloading statiOn, a load carrying vehicle within said system, said vehicle having a body provided with antifriction means for supporting the vehicle within said main section, said body being shaped to present a high coefficient of drag in said flow of air and having a maximum cross-sectional shape smaller than said main section whereby the vehicle is swept along by the momentum of said air while providing a clearance space between the interior of the conduit system and the vehicle to allow the air continuously to flow within said system.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
54 words
A mass transit system in accordance with claim 5 wherein said air pumping devices each have an inlet communicating with said tube and jet outlet means discharging generally axially into said tube in the direction of vehicle travel, the inlet and jet outlet means of each air pumping device being disposed in close adjacency.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
39 words
A vehicle transportation system in accordance with claim 1 wherein said air pumping device has an air intake inducting a fractional part only of the flowing air and having an air outlet discharging air substantially axially within the tube.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
49 words
A vehicle transportation system in accordance with claim 2 wherein said means for producing a continuously moving stream of air includes a fan device having an air intake inducting a fractional part only of the flowing air and having an air outlet discharging air substantially axially within the tube.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
43 words
A vehicle transportation system in accordance with claim 1 including means for diverting a portion of said air flow past each load handling portion whereby air may flow continuously through the main section while a vehicle is positioned at said load handling portion.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-03-18 | 1977-09-17 | 1978-03-19 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-03-18 | 1981-09-17 | 1982-03-19 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-03-18 | 1985-09-17 | 1986-03-19 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |