EVACUATED TUBE AND CAPSULE HAVING INTERCHANGE CAPABILITY

摘要

A method of interchange for an evacuated tube transport system includes tubes for enabling capsules movement within the tubes. The tubes are evacuated and the capsules magnetically levitated within the tubes. The tubes have an interchanges having diverging and converging tubes, respectively. A control system includes divergence force elements having permanent magnets that are selectively orientable polarity to enable capsule control, or electro magnets with polarity selectively switchable to enable capsule path control. The method selectively energizes the force elements to enable the capsule to diverge or converge in an interchange. An interrupter also regulates the force elements. The method activates the force elements and disables deactivation of the force elements before the capsule diverges in the interchange. The method balances divergence forces through center of gravity and through center of lift on receiving a request for divergence. The control system regulates capsule speed, spacing between capsules, and divergence timing.

主权项

1. A method of interchange for an evacuated tube transport system, comprising:
a) providing guideways in tubes, the guideways including magnetic material to enable levitation of capsules, the tubes including at least one interchange with diverging tubes and at least one interchange with converging tubes; b) providing capsules moveable along the guideways within the tubes, the tubes are capable of being evacuated and the capsules are capable of being magnetically levitated within the tubes by the guideways; c) providing a control system including force elements having permanent magnets that are selectively switchable to enable capsule control in the interchanges; d) activating the force elements to create divergence forces and enabling the capsules to diverge in the interchange; e) providing an interrupter to regulate the force elements; f) defining a divergent zone near the interchange, activating the force elements when a capsule reaches the divergent zone; and disabling deactivation of the force elements after the capsule reaches the divergent zone to improve safety; and g) directing divergence forces towards a center of gravity of the capsule and towards a center of lift of the capsule on receiving a request for divergence.