WO1999030949A1 - Systemes de transport de passagers - Google Patents

Systemes de transport de passagers Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO1999030949A1
WO1999030949A1 PCT/GB1998/003808 GB9803808W WO9930949A1 WO 1999030949 A1 WO1999030949 A1 WO 1999030949A1 GB 9803808 W GB9803808 W GB 9803808W WO 9930949 A1 WO9930949 A1 WO 9930949A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
capsules
transport system
passenger transport
motive power
station
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/GB1998/003808
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Richard Joseph Earle
Original Assignee
Richard Joseph Earle
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Richard Joseph Earle filed Critical Richard Joseph Earle
Priority to EP98961310A priority Critical patent/EP1037786A1/fr
Priority to AU16770/99A priority patent/AU1677099A/en
Publication of WO1999030949A1 publication Critical patent/WO1999030949A1/fr

Links

Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B61—RAILWAYS
    • B61B—RAILWAY SYSTEMS; EQUIPMENT THEREFOR NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B61B13/00—Other railway systems
    • B61B13/12—Systems with propulsion devices between or alongside the rails, e.g. pneumatic systems
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B61—RAILWAYS
    • B61B—RAILWAY SYSTEMS; EQUIPMENT THEREFOR NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B61B13/00—Other railway systems
    • B61B13/10—Tunnel systems

Definitions

  • the invention relates to passenger transport systems, particularly to energy efficient passenger transport systems, where the vehicles move within a vacuum.
  • the present invention provides a passenger transport system comprising at least one tubular main transfer conduit, depressurising means for at least partially evacuating air from the transfer conduits and, a plurality of passenger transfer capsules, independently movable along and within the conduits, in which system the motive power for the transfer capsules is provided by a motive power arrangement extending along the transfer conduit, releasable connectors being provided for mechanically coupling respective capsules to the motive power arrangement.
  • the motive power arrangement consists of a common motive power cord extending along and within the transfer conduit (s).
  • the transfer capsules may be pushed or pulled mechanically in unison along the transfer conduit by driving the power cord along.
  • the power cord may be provided as a series of cord stages positioned end to end.
  • the transfer capsules preferably include one or more wheels, such wheels providing support and most preferably full running support for the transfer capsule. The wheels may run along one or more tracks within the transfer conduits.
  • the transport system is preferably arranged so that the transfer capsules can roll freely in the transfer conduits when not connected to the motive power arrangement.
  • Stations may be provided as part of the main transfer conduit or in one or more station conduits distinct from the main transfer conduit (s).
  • a transport system may include a combination of both types of station.
  • transitional transfer conduits to allow transfer capsules to travel between the main transfer conduit and the stations. These transfer conduits are probably also evacuated, e.g. continuously with the associated main conduit.
  • Acceleration- type transitional conduits enable acceleration of transfer capsules from stations to the main transfer conduit
  • deceleration-type transitional conduits enable deceleration of capsules from the main transfer conduit to a station.
  • the passenger transport system is preferably arranged so that the capsules move freely along the transitional conduits e.g. on capsule wheels.
  • the transport system may therefore be arranged so that the capsules are disconnected from the motive power arrangement on departure from the main transfer conduit to the transitional conduits, by action of the releasable connectors. Conversely, on entry to the main transfer conduit a capsule is connected to the motive power arrangement.
  • a source of power would be required and this could be provided by a motive power arrangement, such as a separate motive power cord, within the acceleration conduit.
  • a capsule leaving the main transfer conduit may be disconnected from the motive power cord of the main transfer conduit and reconnected to the motive power cord of the transitional conduit.
  • the stations preferably include air seals arranged so as to act around the capsule doors when the capsule is in the station to allow the embarkation or disembarkation of passengers without release of the vacuum.
  • the station and capsule doors optionally open in coordination, e.g. simultaneously, when surrounded by the air seals.
  • a reservoir for capsules may be provided at or near the stations or other points adjacent transitional transfer conduits. Empty capsules may be stored in the reservoir until required by passengers and sometimes empty capsules may be released to the main transfer track as required, for example to prevent the motive power cord from sagging.
  • the capsules include independent capsules for the carriage of any of single persons, couples, families or other passenger groups.
  • a particular passenger group having the same destination may travel around the main transfer conduit until the desired station is reached and then disembark, such a transport system providing fast and efficient transport for the individual passenger or small passenger group as the capsule does not have to stop at intermediate stations on the journey.
  • a means for controlled release of capsules from stations or reservoirs is provided, such control means monitors the flow of capsules on the main transfer conduit and identifies suitable gaps in the flow, capsules being released only into such suitable gaps .
  • FIG 1. shows part of a passenger transfer conduit and a capsule in cross-section and illustrates the orientation of a passenger in a capsule , and
  • FIG 2. is a schematic representation of the conduit layout of a transfer systems embodying the invention.
  • Passengers travel individually in single-person capsules 10 (shown in Fig 1) which move through evacuated, circuitous, main transfer conduits 3 guided by wheels 11 which move along tracks 13 in the direction shown by arrows in Fig 2. There are two pairs of wheels
  • the power for the capsule 10 is provided by a motive power cord 15 to which the capsule 10 is connected by a releasable connector 17 when in the main transfer conduits 3.
  • Suitable controllably releasable mechanical (i.e. fixed relative position) connectors include magnets, also hooks and other controllable interlock arrangements.
  • main transfer conduit 3a and 3b There are a pair of main transfer conduit 3a and 3b which run side by side to allow travel in both directions. Only one of the pair is shown in Fig 1 for clarity. In this example, main transfer conduit 3a is . westbound and main transfer conduit 3b is eastbound.
  • the vacuum (reduced air pressure) is constantly maintained in the main transfer conduits by pumps distributed along the transfer conduit 3. Travel within a vacuum or reduced pressure environment considerably improves transport efficiency as energy is not wasted in displacing air as the vehicle moves forward. Less energy is expended, for a given speed.
  • the motive power cord 15 in this embodiment is a chain, though other forms are possible e.g. cords or rails.
  • the motive power may be generated by a small number of stationary engines and the consumption of hydrocarbons is therefore much lower than it would be were each vehicle to have its own engine.
  • the external source of power enables lightness of the capsules and therefore to their high speed.
  • a station 5 contains a store of capsules 10 and has access to the public highway 30.
  • Capsules 10 leave the station by acceleration conduit 7a for acceleration to westbound main transfer conduit 3a or by acceleration conduit 7b for acceleration to eastbound main transfer conduit 3b.
  • On leaving westbound main transfer conduit 3a capsules .
  • 10 decelerate in deceleration conduit 9a before arrival at station 5.
  • On leaving eastbound main transfer conduit 3b capsules decelerate in deceleration conduit 9b before arrival at station 5.
  • Types of station 5 may also exist which include only acceleration conduits or only deceleration conduits if the station 5 is for only one of embarkation or disembarkation, or only one of each of a terminus.
  • the release of capsules 10 to the main transfer conduit 3 is controlled by an electronic monitoring system.
  • the system monitors the flow of capsules 10 around the main transfer conduit 3 and when a suitable gap between capsules is recognised, the monitor allows the release of a capsule 10 from one of stations 5.
  • a particular single-person capsule 10 can stop at any of the disembarkation stations described above and does not need to stop at intermediate stations on the journey, this is preferable for the traveller as his journey time can be shortened significantly by avoiding intermediate stops.
  • the capsule 10 On departure of a capsule 10 from the main transfer conduit 3, e.g to stations which are separate from the main transfer conduit, the capsule 10 is disconnected from the motive power cord 15 and then decelerates freely along tracks within a deceleration conduit 9 e.g deceleration conduit 9a until coming to rest at a station 5. On arrival at a station 5 the capsule 10 is locked against a passenger capsule access door 20 within the station 5, air seals form around the capsule-doors and the capsule-door and station-doors then open simultaneously so that passengers may then enter or exit the capsule. In this way air is prevented from entering the vacuum.
  • a support system 20 provides a supply of oxygen for the passenger environment.
  • Some of the capsules can be used to carry cargo, such as passenger luggage.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Transportation (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
  • Control Of Vehicles With Linear Motors And Vehicles That Are Magnetically Levitated (AREA)
  • Train Traffic Observation, Control, And Security (AREA)

Abstract

L'invention concerne un système de transport de passagers comprenant des capsules (10) qui se déplacent dans un vide au moins partiel. Ce système comprend au moins un conduit (3) de transfert principal, des moyens de dépressurisation permettant de faire au moins partiellement le vide dans les conduits de transfert et une pluralité de capsules (10) de transfert de passagers qui se déplacent le long des conduits de transferts, à l'intérieur de ces derniers. L'énergie motrice des capsules de transfert est fournie par un câble (15) d'alimentation disposé le long des conduits de transfert et auquel les capsules de transfert peuvent être raccordés de manière détachable.
PCT/GB1998/003808 1997-12-17 1998-12-17 Systemes de transport de passagers WO1999030949A1 (fr)

Priority Applications (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP98961310A EP1037786A1 (fr) 1997-12-17 1998-12-17 Systemes de transport de passagers
AU16770/99A AU1677099A (en) 1997-12-17 1998-12-17 Passenger transport systems

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB9726906A GB2332658A (en) 1997-12-17 1997-12-17 Rapid terrestrial passenger transport system
GB9726906.2 1997-12-17

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO1999030949A1 true WO1999030949A1 (fr) 1999-06-24

Family

ID=10823932

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/GB1998/003808 WO1999030949A1 (fr) 1997-12-17 1998-12-17 Systemes de transport de passagers

Country Status (4)

Country Link
EP (1) EP1037786A1 (fr)
AU (1) AU1677099A (fr)
GB (1) GB2332658A (fr)
WO (1) WO1999030949A1 (fr)

Families Citing this family (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2378561A (en) * 2001-11-28 2003-02-12 Peter Denness Tubular transport system
PL236153B1 (pl) * 2005-04-04 2020-12-14 Olgierd Mikosza Infrastruktura transportowa do masowego przewozu osób lub ładunków, zwłaszcza w obszarach wielkomiejskich
US11827249B2 (en) 2021-12-01 2023-11-28 Cooley Enterprises, LLC Clean energy integrated transportation system using a hydro system
US11390470B1 (en) 2021-12-01 2022-07-19 Cooley Enterprises, LLC Clean energy integrated transportation system
US11565884B1 (en) 2021-12-01 2023-01-31 Cooley Enterprises, LLC Clean energy integrated transportation system using a track and cable

Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3854421A (en) * 1970-11-19 1974-12-17 H Widiger Mine car transportation system
US3871303A (en) * 1974-02-25 1975-03-18 Goodyear Tire & Rubber Transportation system
DE3725671A1 (de) * 1987-08-03 1989-02-16 Viktor Meister Vaccum rohr bahn schienengebundenes verkehrssystem
EP0360710A1 (fr) * 1988-09-22 1990-03-28 Skirail (S.N.C.) Funiculaire à voiture de forme cylindrique

Family Cites Families (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4075948A (en) * 1974-01-31 1978-02-28 Minovitch Michael Andrew Rapid transit system
ES445112A1 (es) * 1975-02-13 1978-02-16 Stphandis De Rech Mecaniques H Sistema de transporte continuo, especialmente para el trans-porte colectivo.
US4023500A (en) * 1975-10-23 1977-05-17 Diggs Richard E High-speed ground transportation system
US4184792A (en) * 1976-11-29 1980-01-22 Turnbo August Z Vacuum-tube mass-transit system
GB2208634A (en) * 1987-08-18 1989-04-12 Wilfred Gaunt A transport system in which the vehicle travels in a vacated (vacuum) tube, orientated and propelled magnetically
JPH0772012B2 (ja) * 1988-10-28 1995-08-02 株式会社椿本チエイン 物品の離隔搬送装置
US5653175A (en) * 1995-09-15 1997-08-05 Milligan; George Truett Vacuum highway vehicle

Patent Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3854421A (en) * 1970-11-19 1974-12-17 H Widiger Mine car transportation system
US3871303A (en) * 1974-02-25 1975-03-18 Goodyear Tire & Rubber Transportation system
DE3725671A1 (de) * 1987-08-03 1989-02-16 Viktor Meister Vaccum rohr bahn schienengebundenes verkehrssystem
EP0360710A1 (fr) * 1988-09-22 1990-03-28 Skirail (S.N.C.) Funiculaire à voiture de forme cylindrique

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
EP1037786A1 (fr) 2000-09-27
GB2332658A (en) 1999-06-30
GB9726906D0 (en) 1998-02-18
AU1677099A (en) 1999-07-05

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US4023500A (en) High-speed ground transportation system
US5172640A (en) Overhead cable transport installation having two successive sections
US4075948A (en) Rapid transit system
CA3165881C (fr) Vehicule ferroviaire avec dispositif de controle de portance aerodynamique
US20070034105A1 (en) Aerial ropeway transport methods
EP1866172A2 (fr) Procede de transport de masse de personnes ou de fret, notamment dans des zones urbaines, et infrastructure de transport pour la mise en oeuvre de ce procede
JP2009067599A (ja) 輸送機を移動させるための二つの手段を持つ、輸送機内に乗り込んだ乗客を移送するための設備
US20110218697A1 (en) Vehicle, system and method for mass transit transportation
GB2094737A (en) Transportation system
WO2007043463A1 (fr) Dispositif d’accélération
CN112243418A (zh) 混合式缆索/导轨运送系统、该运送系统的运送单元及该运送系统的操作方法
CN108137063B (zh) 缆索运输设施
US7806055B2 (en) Rope transport installation with grouping of vehicles before loading/unloading and method for controlling such an installation
KR102398658B1 (ko) 아진공튜브 운송 시스템
EP1037786A1 (fr) Systemes de transport de passagers
WO2019124812A1 (fr) Dispositif de commutation de véhicule d'un système de transport à hypertube
CN210027054U (zh) 用于真空管道磁浮交通系统的高速列车及磁浮交通系统
US11027754B2 (en) Cable or similar transport installation, and vehicle suitable for such installation
JPH09215140A (ja) 移動テークアップモジュールを持つ架空ケーブル路
CN111902326B (zh) 包括站台的缆索运送系统和操作该缆索运送系统的方法
CN110550054A (zh) 一种将道路交通与轨道交通连接起来运行的方法与装置
US20230040366A1 (en) Transportation system
JP2722170B2 (ja) 空調設備を具えた索道システム
JP3424451B2 (ja) ロープレス式エレベータ
CN118076526A (zh) 运输设施

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
AK Designated states

Kind code of ref document: A1

Designated state(s): AU CA JP NZ US

AL Designated countries for regional patents

Kind code of ref document: A1

Designated state(s): AT BE CH CY DE DK ES FI FR GB GR IE IT LU MC NL PT SE

121 Ep: the epo has been informed by wipo that ep was designated in this application
DFPE Request for preliminary examination filed prior to expiration of 19th month from priority date (pct application filed before 20040101)
WWE Wipo information: entry into national phase

Ref document number: 1998961310

Country of ref document: EP

WWE Wipo information: entry into national phase

Ref document number: 09581652

Country of ref document: US

WWP Wipo information: published in national office

Ref document number: 1998961310

Country of ref document: EP

NENP Non-entry into the national phase

Ref country code: CA

WWW Wipo information: withdrawn in national office

Ref document number: 1998961310

Country of ref document: EP