U.S. patent application number 13/562298 was filed with the patent office on 2013-05-30 for regional, national and international transport-web infrastructure network system.
The applicant listed for this patent is Jan Friedmann. Invention is credited to Jan Friedmann.
Application Number | 20130136546 13/562298 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 47596147 |
Filed Date | 2013-05-30 |
United States Patent
Application |
20130136546 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Friedmann; Jan |
May 30, 2013 |
REGIONAL, NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL TRANSPORT-WEB INFRASTRUCTURE
NETWORK SYSTEM
Abstract
A land-based transportation and infrastructure system that
allows high-speed transport for passengers, freight transport, a
power management and distribution system. The transport-web
infrastructure network system (T.W.I.N.S.) design includes a
containment tube-link network that contains within it a transport
tube-link network and a utilities grid infrastructure. The
transport tube-link network is a vacuum environment within which a
transport capsule is levitated by permanent magnets located in the
interior of the transport tube plus super-conducting bulk elements
located on the capsule and thus combined with a liquid coolant,
such as nitrogen or helium, allows for greater speed since no
friction exists within such a vacuum environment. Typically, the
containment tubes are designed to be sub-ground, even though above
ground is also an option.
Inventors: |
Friedmann; Jan; (Los
Angeles, CA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Friedmann; Jan |
Los Angeles |
CA |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
47596147 |
Appl. No.: |
13/562298 |
Filed: |
July 30, 2012 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61512759 |
Jul 28, 2011 |
|
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|
Current U.S.
Class: |
406/181 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B60L 13/04 20130101;
B60L 2200/26 20130101; B65G 51/26 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
406/181 |
International
Class: |
B65G 51/26 20060101
B65G051/26 |
Claims
1. A transport-web infrastructure network system comprising: a
transport system containment/housing tube; a plurality of transport
tubes disposed in the containment/housing tube, the plurality of
transport tubes operable under vacuum to magnetically move one or
more transport capsules therewithin; and a plurality of bypass
stations interconnected by the plurality of the transport system
containment/housing tubes and the plurality of transport tubes.
2. The transport-web infrastructure network system of claim,
further comprising a plurality of utility housing tubes within the
containment/housing tube.
3. The transport-web infrastructure network system of claim 1,
further comprising transport tubes for passengers and transport
tubes for cargo.
4. The transport-web infrastructure network system of claim 1,
further comprising transport capsules for passengers and transport
capsules for cargo.
5. The transport-web infrastructure network system of claim 1,
further comprising a service and repair cavity within the
containment/housing tube.
6. The transport-web infrastructure network system of claim 5,
further comprising a servicing and repair platform located in the
service and repair cavity and a servicing and repair vehicle
adapted to move along the servicing and repair platform.
7. The transport-web infrastructure network system of claim 1,
wherein the capsules include a double wall with a ball bearing
motion system disposed within the double wall.
8. The transport-web infrastructure network system of claim 1,
wherein the containment/housing tube is disposed sub-ground.
9. The transport-web infrastructure network system of claim 8,
wherein sand surrounds the containment/housing tube.
10. The transport-web infrastructure network system of claim 9,
further comprising: a hydraulic shock absorber attachment fitting
along an outer surface of the containment/housing tube; and a
hydraulic shock absorber disposed between the hydraulic shock
absorber attachment fitting and a platform disposed on a sub-ground
surface.
11. The transport-web infrastructure network system of claim 10,
further comprising: a bottom, left, and right side hydraulic shock
absorber attachment fitting along the bottom, left and right hand
side of an outer surface of the containment/housing tube; and a
hydraulic shock absorber disposed between each of the bottom, left
and the right side hydraulic shock absorber attachment fitting and
a side platform disposed on a sub-ground surface.
12. The transport-web infrastructure network system of claim 1,
further comprising an outer perimeter safety catch system.
13. The transport-web infrastructure network system of claim 11,
further comprising outer perimeter transition tubes to and from the
outer perimeter safety catch system.
14. A transport-web infrastructure network system comprising: a
transport system containment/housing tube disposed sub-ground; a
plurality of transport tubes disposed in the containment/housing
tube housing, the plurality of transport tubes operable under
vacuum to magnetically move one or more transport capsules
therewithin; a plurality of bypass stations interconnected by the
plurality of transport and utility tubes; an outer perimeter safety
catch system surrounding the bypass stations; outer perimeter
transition tubes to and from the outer perimeter safety catch
system; sand surrounding the containment/housing tube; a hydraulic
shock absorber attachment fitting along an outer surface of the
containment/housing tube; a hydraulic shock absorber disposed
between the hydraulic shock absorber attachment fitting and a
platform disposed on a sub-ground surface; a bottom, left and a
right side hydraulic shock absorber attachment fitting along a left
and right hand side of an outer surface of the containment/housing
tube; and a hydraulic shock absorber disposed between each of the
bottom, left and the right side hydraulic shock absorber attachment
fitting and a side platform disposed on a sub-ground surface.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims the benefit of priority of U.S.
provisional application No. 61/512,759, filed Jul. 28, 2011, the
contents of which are herein incorporated by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates to transportation systems and,
more particularly, to a land-based transportation and
infrastructure system using airtight/airless transport tubes to
guide magnetic levitation vehicles and to provide a conduit for
utilities infrastructure, such as power, water, and the like.
[0003] There are many types of transport systems that can move
objects on a guide-way. Examples include wheel-suspended vehicles
propelled by rotary or linear motors, vehicles that move in tubes
propelled by air pressure, vehicles supported or guided by bearings
and vehicles that are moved on conveyor belts. Existing transport
systems have many useful applications. However, there are
opportunities for substantial improvement by providing a scalable,
secure, and environmental friendly transportation and
infrastructure system.
[0004] All present infrastructure and transportation systems are
limited and require each other to sustain a delivery of goods and
persons. The problem being is that there is no single-standard
national or international infrastructure and transportation
system.
[0005] Current systems do not work well because they are typically
limited in function and efficiency because they are dependent on
fossil fuels that damage the environment. These conventional
systems cannot service comprehensive and uninterrupted travel or
cargo transport or provide a utilities grid independently and must
rely on other current transport systems to complete delivery of
persons, goods and power.
[0006] The current transportation systems that include aircraft,
trains, ships, commercial trucks, and the like, have reached their
maximum speed and efficiency capacities and burn environmentally
damaging fossil fuels to operate. The highest speeds attainable by
the fastest of these systems (aircraft) is approximately 700 miles
per hour. Additionally, the inefficiencies of the current transport
systems include a great deal of waste, pollution, limited speed,
costly maintenance and replacement of parts, exposure to time
delays, travel cancellations due to environmental and climatic
conditions and the lack of ability to adjust to environmental and
climatic conditions.
[0007] As can be seen, there is a need for an improved
transportation and infrastructure system that can quickly, safely
and efficiently deliver people, goods and power.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] In one aspect of the present invention, a transport-web
infrastructure network system is comprised of a transport
containment/housing tube; a plurality of transport tubes disposed
in the containment/housing tube, the plurality of transport tubes
operable under vacuum to magnetically move one or more transport
capsules therewithin; a plurality of bypass stations interconnected
by the plurality of transport tubes. Tube facilities within the
housing tube can be used to transport utilities, such as electric
power.
[0009] In another aspect of the present invention, a transport-web
infrastructure network system comprises a transport system
containment/housing tube disposed sub-ground; a plurality of
transport tubes disposed in the containment/housing tube, the
plurality of transport tubes operable under vacuum to magnetically
move one or more transport capsules therewithin; a plurality of
bypass stations interconnected by the plurality of transport tubes;
an outer perimeter safety catch system surrounding the bypass
stations; outer perimeter transition tubes to and from the outer
perimeter safety catch system; sand surrounding the
containment/housing tube; a hydraulic shock absorber attachment
fitting along an outer surface of the containment/housing tube; a
hydraulic shock absorber disposed between the hydraulic shock
absorber attachment fitting and a platform disposed on a sub-ground
surface; a left and a right side hydraulic shock absorber
attachment fitting along a left and right hand side of an outer
surface of the containment/housing tube; and a hydraulic shock
absorber disposed on the bottom and between each of the left and
the right side of the housing tube are hydraulic shock absorber
attachment fitting and a side platform disposed on a sub-ground
surface.
[0010] These and other features, aspects and advantages of the
present invention will become better understood with reference to
the following drawings, description and claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0011] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a bypass-station and tube
network component in the transport-web infrastructure network
system (T.W.I.N.S.) according to an exemplary embodiment of the
present invention;
[0012] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a bypass-station, as
taken along line 2-2 of FIG. 1;
[0013] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a maglev transport tube can
capsule according to an exemplary embodiment of the present
invention;
[0014] FIG. 4 is an end view of the maglev transport tube of FIG.
3;
[0015] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of a maglev service and
repair station taken along line 5-5 in FIG. 1;
[0016] FIG. 6 is a detailed top view of the T.W.I.N.S. system
according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;
and
[0017] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a T.W.I.N.S. system having a
single entry/exit to/from the station to the catch/loop, according
to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0018] The following detailed description is of the best currently
contemplated modes of carrying out exemplary embodiments of the
invention. The description is not to be taken in a limiting sense,
but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating the general
principles of the invention, since the scope of the invention is
best defined by the appended claims.
[0019] Broadly, an embodiment of the present invention provides a
land-based transportation and infrastructure system that allows
high-speed mode of passenger travel and freight transportation in
addition to providing facilities to transport utilities, such as
electric power, water and the like. The system design includes a
containment tube-link network that contains within it a transport
tube-link network and a utilities grid transference/management
system infrastructure. The transport tube-link network is a vacuum
environment within which a transport capsule is levitated by
permanent magnets located in the interior of the transport tube
plus super-conducting bulk elements located on the capsule and thus
combined with superconductors and liquid coolant, such as nitrogen
or helium, allows greater speed capacity since no friction exists
within such a vacuum environment (like outer space). Typically, the
containment/housing tubes are designed to be sub-ground, even
though above ground is also an option.
[0020] The system of the present invention includes several main
components. The bypass stations make up a network of
self-sufficient and contained mini-city stations that are linked by
a common and single-standard infrastructure and transportation
system. Each station will begin with establishment of the
interconnecting transport tube-link element and system. The
remaining internal development of the stations will follow. The
bypass stations network forms the system's infrastructure
foundation. The containment/housing tube network system is the
primary system network that interconnects all bypass stations. The
internal transport tubes make up the actual tube-link network that
forms the transport system magnetic and vacuum components. The
transport capsules/vehicles are the way that people and cargo are
loaded and transported to other locations. The ball-bearing grid is
located across the bottom of and sides of the containment/housing
tube, providing a counter to rocking motion. The hydraulic shock
absorbers and motion plate platforms are connected to the outside
of the containment/housing tubes and bypass stations. They are
located on the bottom and sides of the containment/housing tubes
and bypass stations. The sand containment field is used to secure
the entire transportation tube-link system. Sand can be placed
between the containment/housing tubes and hard soil and surrounding
the hydraulic shock's housing. These components are described in
greater detail below, with reference to the drawings.
[0021] Referring now to FIGS. 1 through 6, different views of a
land-based transportation and infrastructure system 10 are shown
according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The
system 10 may include a network of airless (vacuum) transport
system tubes including one set for passenger transport tubes 28 and
another set of transport tubes for cargo transport tubes 29, or a
set of three transport tubes (two transport tubes plus one back-up)
for all transport needs. The size of the three tube system and
capsules is slightly larger than the size of current shipping cargo
containers, for example. The transport system tubes 28, 29 may be
configured to interconnect land-based transportation hubs i.e.
"Terra stations" 40, marine based transportation hubs i.e. "Aqua
stations" (not shown) and small transportation portals (not shown).
The terra stations 40 and transport system tube 28 may be
constructed above ground or sub-ground levels. Magnetic levitation
(maglev) transport vehicles 72 may transport people and goods
between terra station 40 via transport system tubes 28. The tubes
28, 29 may also be used as utility housing tubes to carry
utilities, such as electricity.
[0022] The terra stations 40 may be located +/-200 miles away from
each other along the transport system tube 28 network. Smaller
portals (not shown) may be located between the terra stations 40 to
serve regional needs. The terra station 40 may be constructed as a
multilevel structure. The terra station 40 may be constructed with
an outer containment shell 12 and a detached inner shell 14. An
inner ball-bearing grid/rotational system 34 may be disposed
between the outer containment shell 12 and the detached inner shell
14. The containment shell 12 may lie on an attachment cradle 60 of
hydraulic shock absorber assemblies 30. The hydraulic shock
absorber assemblies 30 may be supported by shock absorber mounting
platforms 64.
[0023] In an exemplary implementation, the inside of the detached
inner shell 14 may include five station platforms.
Pass-through/station transport tubes 90 may be connected to the
terra stations 40 at a first station platform 24. The
pass-through/station transport tubes 90 may be configured to
interconnect an arrival and departure facility 46 to outer
perimeter transition tubes 48. There may be multiple
pass-through/station transport tubes 90 as shown in FIG. 1, or
there may be a single station transport tube 90 as shown in FIG. 7,
for example. The arrival and departure facility 46 may circle
around an inner perimeter of the terra station 40. The arrival and
departure facility 46 may include a passenger loading and unloading
platform 50 and a cargo loading and unloading platform 52. The
first station platform may be a stationary platform located at the
bottom of the detached inner shell 14. The third through fifth
station platforms 20, 18 and 16 may be made as lift platforms.
Hydraulic lifts 32 may be disposed between adjacent platforms. The
hydraulic lifts 32 may allow lowering and rising of the station
platforms three through five 22-16. Once station platforms are
raised, a set of level locks 38 may be used to secure their
position. When the station platforms three through five 22, 18 and
16 are lowered, the upper portion of the terra station 40 may move
down, below the ground level for safety. A cover plate 36 may be
placed on an access opening 62 on the top of the detached inner
shell 14 to isolate the terra station 40 from its environment.
[0024] The outer perimeter transition tubes 48 may form a loop
around the terra station 40. The transport system tubes 28 running
from other terra stations 40 may merge into the outer perimeter
transition tubes 48 via outer perimeter transition tubes 42. The
cargo system tubes 29 running from other terra stations 40 may
merge into the outer perimeter transition tubes 48 via outer
perimeter transition tubes 43.
[0025] The maglev transport vehicles 72 travelling between terra
stations 40, after entering into the outer perimeter transition
tubes 48 may bypass the local terra stations 40. Alternately, the
maglev transport vehicles 72 may enter into the
pass-through/station transport tubes 90 via transport vehicle entry
valves 44 and may proceed to the local terra station 40.
[0026] An immediate environment around each terra station 40 may
include a cavity 94 in the ground, in which the terra station 40
may be housed. Once the terra station 40 has been constructed, the
cavity 94, including hydraulic shocks 30, may be filled with sand
92. The sand 92 may cover the sub-ground portion of the containment
shell 12 and may provide additional support to the terra station
40.
[0027] The inside of the detached inner shell 14 may be the
functional center of the terra station 40. This portion of the
infrastructure may be used exclusively for transportation related
operations and activities. Areas between the terra stations 40 and
portals may be developed and financed by private enterprises and
entrepreneurs to provide a variety of functions and services. The
terra stations 40 may provide sustainable production of electric
power, food, water, shelter, commerce, transportation, commercial,
private housing, recreation facilities, and the like.
[0028] Referring now to FIG. 5, a detailed cross-section view of
containment and transport tubes taken along line 5-5 of FIG. 1 is
shown. The containment/housing tube shell 26 may include an outer
shell 68 and a detached inner shell 56. A ball-bearing
grid/rotational system 66 may be disposed between outer containment
shell 68 and a detached inner shell 56. The containment shell 26
may lie on the attachment cradle 60 of the hydraulic shock absorber
assembly 30. The inside of the detached inner shell 56 may house up
to four transport system tubes 28 and a service cavity 80. The
transport system tubes 28, 29 may be separated from each other by
transport tube dividers 70. A plurality of service platforms 74 may
be constructed at specific locations along the service cavity 80. A
repair vehicle 76 may move service personnel between service
platforms 74. Each of the transport tubes 28, 29 and the maglev
transport vehicle 72 inside the tube may be accessible from the
common service cavity 80, once a tube access panel 78 is removed.
Access shafts 58 may be constructed from the service cavity 80 to
all the hydraulic shock absorber assemblies 30. A security
monitored ground level access panel 82 may provide access for
service personnel to the service cavity 80.
[0029] Referring now to FIGS. 3 and 4, different view of the maglev
transport vehicle 72 are shown. The transport vehicle 72 may have a
cylindrical shape. The maglev transport vehicle 72 may include an
outside shell 96 and an inside shell 84. An array of ball bearings
may be disposed between the outer shell 96 and the inside shell 84.
An exemplary implementation the maglev transport vehicle 72 may
have an outside diameter in a range of about 1.7 m to 2.1 m, an
internal height of 5-6 feet and a length of about 20 feet. A maglev
cargo vehicle 73 may have an outside diameter in a range of about
2.4 to 2.5 meters, an internal height of about 8 feet, 4 inches,
and a length of at least about 20 feet.
[0030] While FIG. 1 shows the transport tubes 28 and the cargo
tubes 29 having the same size, typically the cargo tubes 29 will be
larger than the transport tubes. Various number of tubes 28, 29 may
be present in each containment/housing tube 26. In some
embodiments, one transport tube 28, going in each direction, plus a
back-up tube, may be disposed.
[0031] In addition, in some embodiments, one or more utility
conduits can be disposed within the containment/housing tubes 26 to
provide a utility grid. The utility grid is managed and can provide
electricity throughout a region, country, or internationally. The
utility grid provided by the system of the present invention may be
a back-up and management/distribution grid to the current utility
grid or become a primary grid system. In addition to electricity,
other utilities, such as water distribution, can be provided by the
system's infrastructure.
[0032] The disclosed land-based transportation and infrastructure
system 10 may be easily scalable, its transport vehicles and its
footprint on the environment may be relatively small. The
land-based transportation and infrastructure system 10 may also
give small and middle size business a chance to compete with large
enterprises in the international market place, when they can cost
effectively ship one to three pallets in maglev transport vehicle
72 versus the large enterprises that more easily will be able to
fill a whole shipping container to qualify for discounted
shipping.
[0033] It should be understood, of course, that the foregoing
relates to exemplary embodiments of the invention and that
modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and
scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims.
* * * * *