A transportation system (100) based on a plurality of pods (110) without any prime movers is disclosed, having a plurality of main tracks (102) having flexible drives to engage with the pods (110) and move the pods along the main track. The pods (110) can be carried by a last-miler vehicle for providing a seamless connectivity between a starting point of a commuter and a destination location without any change. The transportation system includes stations (150) having diverter belts (104), accelerator/decelerator paths (106) and diverter patch (114), where the pods (110) can be transshipped between the main track (102) and the last-miler vehicles.

Installation of transport by ground cable including two carriers each equipped with a grip configured to attach the carrier in removable manner to the ground cable, two end stations respectively situated at the ends of the ground cable, an intermediate station situated between the two end stations, a sidestep situated between a first end station and the intermediate station and configured to enable the carriers to cross paths, and a motor configured to reverse a direction of rotation of the ground cable when a carrier reaches the second end station.

Installation of transport by ground cable including two carriers each equipped with a grip configured to attach the carrier in removable manner to the ground cable, two end stations respectively situated at the ends of the ground cable, an intermediate station situated between the two end stations, a sidestep situated between a first end station and the intermediate station and configured to enable the carriers to cross paths, and a motor configured to reverse a direction of rotation of the ground cable when a carrier reaches the second end station.

A system and method to ensure a sufficient amount of electrical energy is supplied to a cable-drawn vehicle of a transportation device. Electrical loads of the vehicle are supplied with power outside a station by an electrical energy store of the vehicle or by both an electrical energy store and the generator during a first movement phase, in which the vehicle is accelerated to a limit speed or, conversely, decelerated from a limit speed into a station. In a subsequent second movement phase, the vehicle is supplied with electrical energy by the generator while the vehicle moves at a speed that is greater than the limit speed.

A system and method to ensure a sufficient amount of electrical energy is supplied to a cable-drawn vehicle of a transportation device. Electrical loads of the vehicle are supplied with power outside a station by an electrical energy store of the vehicle or by both an electrical energy store and the generator during a first movement phase, in which the vehicle is accelerated to a limit speed or, conversely, decelerated from a limit speed into a station. In a subsequent second movement phase, the vehicle is supplied with electrical energy by the generator while the vehicle moves at a speed that is greater than the limit speed.

A track system on which a skater dolly can roll, comprising one or more pairs of rails and one or more rail clamps. Each rail clamp supports one or two pairs of rails. Rails held side-by-side are parallel to each other. Rail clamps can also secure two rails in end-to-end configuration. The distance between rails can be about 5/16 of an inch. The track system can include a skater dolly, the load-bearing wheels of which are angled 20-30 degrees away from vertical to provide clearance past the rail clamps. The skater also has stabilizing wheels that are approximately perpendicular to the load-bearing wheels, and which secure the skater to the rails when the skater is in a non-upright e.g. upside-down orientation. The system can include a motor pulley system that moves the skater along the rails.

A track system on which a skater dolly can roll, comprising one or more pairs of rails and one or more rail clamps. Each rail clamp supports one or two pairs of rails. Rails held side-by-side are parallel to each other. Rail clamps can also secure two rails in end-to-end configuration. The distance between rails can be about 5/16 of an inch. The track system can include a skater dolly, the load-bearing wheels of which are angled 20-30 degrees away from vertical to provide clearance past the rail clamps. The skater also has stabilizing wheels that are approximately perpendicular to the load-bearing wheels, and which secure the skater to the rails when the skater is in a non-upright e.g. upside-down orientation. The system can include a motor pulley system that moves the skater along the rails.

A system for growing plants includes an elevated track circuit comprising two straight track sections and two arcuate track sections, with the straight track sections each including a cavity. A plurality of wheeled trolleys that each include a wheel configured to roll within the cavities and each include a shaft extending downwardly form the wheel. A drive system is configured to move the wheeled trolleys along the track circuit with the wheeled trolleys connected together by a cable, and with the shafts of the trolleys configured to support plants coupled thereto to selectively move the plants along the track circuit. Uses of the system include for growing produce of vine plants in a lean-and-lower manner, or transporting hanging plants through an irrigation device of the system.

A system for growing plants includes an elevated track circuit comprising two straight track sections and two arcuate track sections, with the straight track sections each including a cavity. A plurality of wheeled trolleys that each include a wheel configured to roll within the cavities and each include a shaft extending downwardly form the wheel. A drive system is configured to move the wheeled trolleys along the track circuit with the wheeled trolleys connected together by a cable, and with the shafts of the trolleys configured to support plants coupled thereto to selectively move the plants along the track circuit. Uses of the system include for growing produce of vine plants in a lean-and-lower manner, or transporting hanging plants through an irrigation device of the system.

A highly efficient, utility scale energy storage system employs large masses transported uphill to store energy and downhill to release energy. An electric powered cable winch or chain drive shuttles the masses between two storage yards of different elevations separated by a steep incline on rail vehicles supported by track and operated by an automated control system.