AIR-CUSHION VEHICLE TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM

摘要

A land transportation system (10) comprising a fully enclosed tubular guideway (16) and a self-propelled air-cushion vehicle (12) disposed in the guideway for providing short- and long-distance transportation within an enclosed environment. The tubular guideway is secured to stanchions (66) anchored to underground concrete pilings (80). The air-cushion vehicle includes an internal cavity (21) for receiving passengers and/or cargo holding containers. Air foils (43), air intake openings (26) and air discharge openings (28) are disposed throughout the cylindrical vehicle to create an air-cushion between the vehicle and the guideway, that completely encircles the vehicle, thereby preventing the vehicle from engaging any surface within the tubular guideway while the vehicle is stationary. The vehicle further includes a front ring (42), a rear ring (40), and an outer cylindrical hull (19) which defines a plenum chamber. As the vehicle moves within the tubular guideway, air flows around the front ring and into the plenum chamber, thereby creating an air-cushion (30), thereby preventing the vehicle from engaging any surface within the tubular guideway while the vehicle is in motion.