The invention provides in some aspects a transport system comprising a guideway having a plurality of regions in which one or more vehicles are propelled, where each such vehicle includes a magnet. Disposed along each region are a plurality of propulsion coils, each comprising one or more turns that are disposed about a common axis, such that the respective common axes of the plurality of coils in that region are (i) substantially aligned with one another, and (ii) orthogonal to a direction in which the vehicles are to be propelled in that region. The plurality of coils of at least one such region are disposed on opposing sides of the magnets of vehicles being propelled along that region so as to exert a propulsive force of substance on those magnets. In at least one other region, the plurality of coils disposed on only a single side of the magnets of vehicles being propelled in that region exert a propulsive force of substance thereon-regardless of whether the plurality of coils in that region are disposed on a single or multiple (e.g., opposing sides) of those magnets.

To safely avoid a collision of two transport units in the switch area during operation of a conveyor in the form of a long stator linear motor with a switch, a collision zone is provided in the switch area, wherein the collision zone extends from the beginning of the switch in each case a length on the respective conveyor section, and to define the collision zone, the transport units are considered as two-dimensional objects and a position of the first transport unit on the first conveyor section is determined, which the first transport unit is allowed to occupy, so that the second transport unit can be moved as a two-dimensional object along the second conveyor section without collision through the switch and a distance between this first position and the beginning of the switch is determined and at least this distance is used as the first length.

Long-stator linear motor with vehicle arranged for movement along transport path. Motor includes holding structure(s) having drive coils, on which passive part of vehicle is arranged; and guide surface and guide track running along path. Passive part has first drive magnet(s) arranged parallel to guide surface with air gap. Vehicle has first profile member(s) arranged on guide track and positioned by pressing force acting in transverse direction onto guide track with respect to an ascending direction running normally to movement direction and transverse direction. First running member(s) support passive part on holding structure against attractive force acting between drive magnets and drive coils to ensure the air gap. Vehicle has first auxiliary guide member(s) which, interacting with an auxiliary guide on holding structure at least in divergence and/or convergence areas of path, delimits movement of vehicle in a positive and/or negative ascending direction at least on one side.

The invention provides, in some aspects, a magnetic levitation transport system with a guideway having rails with propulsion windings extending therealong and defining first and second diverging paths. A vehicle disposed on the guideway has T-shaped propulsion pods extending toward to the guideway. Arms of the propulsion pods extend laterally from stems and include permanent magnets and control coils. These are disposed adjacent respective rails/windings. The propulsion pods and rails propel, switch, suspend, and guide a vehicle on the guideway.

An arrangement including a guide system and a carrier vehicle. The guide system includes a route guide extending along a path for the carrier vehicle. To provide a flexible and rapid material flow in a production, the guide system has vehicle guide elements on the carrier vehicle. The guide system further includes vehicle guide elements on the carrier vehicle. The guide system is configured in such a way that a guide function of the guide system limits the degree of freedom of the translational movability of the carrier vehicle during the interaction of the route guide with the vehicle guide elements apart from a limited movement play to a translational movability along the path. The guide function may be cancelled at least in portions along the path by a movability of the route guide out of a guide position and may be activated by a movability of the route guide into the guide position.

Transport apparatus having at least one levitation generator and at least one drive generator. The at least one levitation generator configured to generate a levitating magnetic flux, move within a corresponding at least one lifting member, and elevate above a rest position relative to the at least one lifting member in response to the levitating magnetic flux. The at least one drive generator configured to generate a driving magnetic flux, move within a corresponding at least one drive member, and laterally move relative to the at least one drive member in response to the driving magnetic flux. At least a portion of the at least one levitation generator is movable relative to the at least one drive generator.

In order to implement a transfer position in a long-stator linear motor, in which position a transport unit is magnetically steered in order to be deflected from a first transport sections to a second transport section, a stator current is impressed into the drive coils interacting with the transport unit on a first side of the transport unit in the transfer area in order to generate the steering effect on this first side, which stator current either generates only an electromagnetic lateral force or causes only a braking force against the movement direction of the transport unit, or only a combination thereof.

A station for a hyperloop transportation system includes a tube comprising a low-pressure environment, a plurality of tracks within the tube, each track adapted to carry a hyperloop capsule, and a turntable joined to an end of the tube, adapted to rotate a capsule one hundred and eighty degrees. The station also includes a platform disposed on a side of the tube, adapted to hold a plurality of people, and a plurality of gates disposed in one side of the tube. Each gate includes a door forming a barrier between the low-pressure environment of the tube and an exterior of the tube, and a sealing mechanism adapted to form a seal with a hyperloop capsule.

The invention provides in some aspects a transport system comprising a guideway having a plurality of regions in which one or more vehicles are propelled, where each such vehicle includes a magnet. Disposed along each region are a plurality of propulsion coils, each comprising one or more turns that are disposed about a common axis, such that the respective common axes of the plurality of coils in that region are (i) substantially aligned with one another, and (ii) orthogonal to a direction in which the vehicles are to be propelled in that region. The plurality of coils of at least one such region are disposed on opposing sides of the magnets of vehicles being propelled along that region so as to exert a propulsive force of substance on those magnets. In at least one other region, the plurality of coils disposed on only a single side of the magnets of vehicles being propelled in that region exert a propulsive force of substance thereonregardless of whether the plurality of coils in that region are disposed on a single or multiple (e.g., opposing sides) of those magnets.

A method of monitoring tube integrity of a high-speed transportation system. The high-speed transportation system includes at least one tube structure having at least one track, at least one capsule configured for travel through the at least one tube structure between a plurality of stations, a propulsion system adapted to propel the at least one capsule through the structure, and a levitation system adapted to levitate the capsule within the structure. The tube structure is maintained as a low-pressure environment. The method includes directing a vehicle having at least one sensor along a tube path; and detecting a plume of air leaked from the low-pressure environment using the at least one sensor.