GB1372255A - Vehicle transportation system - Google Patents

Abstract

1372255 Pneumatic conveyers GEORGIA TECH RESEARCH INSTITUTE 19 Oct 1971 48519/71 Heading B8A A transportation system comprises a conduit of uniform section having first and second loading-unloading stations operative at atmospheric pressure and pumping means 28 for continuously producing a flow of air within the conduit to move a load-carrying vehicle therethrough, said vehicle having a cross-section which substantially occludes the conduit while providing a clearance therewith so as to be swept along by the momentum of the moving air as a result of the drag characteristics of the vehicle. In the embodiment of Fig. 2, the pumping device 28 withdraws air through a porous section 24 into a manifold 22 and reintroduces the air upstream with increased momentum through a manifold 32 and nozzle 34. The vehicles have pneumatic buffers and bearing wheels to minimize friction. The conduit may be endless with stations spaced along its length and pumping devices intermediate the stations. Alternatively the conduit may have ends with a station at each end as shown in Fig. 10, such stations preferably having an inclined section to brake the vehicles and facilitate re-starting. Instead of having two pump units 98, 100 as shown for driving the vehicle in opposite directions, a pump in a branch conduit which communicates at both ends with the main conduit may be used.