Vehicle guidance system that includes a first guidance bogie selectively positionable in a first position for travel and a second position for direction change and a second guidance bogie selectively positionable in a third position for travel and a fourth position for direction change. At a common crossing, one of: the first guidance bogie is selectively positioned into the second position, or the second guidance bogie is selectively positioned into the fourth position.

Vehicle guidance system that includes a first guidance bogie selectively positionable in a first position for travel and a second position for direction change and a second guidance bogie selectively positionable in a third position for travel and a fourth position for direction change. At a common crossing, one of: the first guidance bogie is selectively positioned into the second position, or the second guidance bogie is selectively positioned into the fourth position.

Magnetic levitation railway system for integration in a wheel railway track, comprising a magnetic levitation railway track including a linear motor and magnetic levitation rails arranged on outer sides of the wheel railway track, said magnetic levitation rail comprising a conductive guide rail having at least a horizontal portion configured for a magnetic levitation railway vehicle having a levitation device with magnets. The guide rail is configured for passive levitation of the magnetic levitation railway vehicle due to the electromotive force generated by the moving magnets of the magnetic levitation railway vehicle.

Magnetic levitation railway system for integration in a wheel railway track, comprising a magnetic levitation railway track including a linear motor and magnetic levitation rails arranged on outer sides of the wheel railway track, said magnetic levitation rail comprising a conductive guide rail having at least a horizontal portion configured for a magnetic levitation railway vehicle having a levitation device with magnets. The guide rail is configured for passive levitation of the magnetic levitation railway vehicle due to the electromotive force generated by the moving magnets of the magnetic levitation railway vehicle.

Aspects of the invention provide a transport system powered by short block Linear Synchronous Motors (LSMs). The use of short blocks allows vehicles to move under precise control even when they are in close proximity to each other. The design allows the vehicles to be propelled and guided while negotiating sharp turns and negotiating merge and diverge switches. A coreless LSM can be used to create propulsive force without attractive force so as to allow a relatively high drag vehicle suspension, such as a vehicle sliding on a smooth surface.

Aspects of the invention provide a transport system powered by short block Linear Synchronous Motors (LSMs). The use of short blocks allows vehicles to move under precise control even when they are in close proximity to each other. The design allows the vehicles to be propelled and guided while negotiating sharp turns and negotiating merge and diverge switches. A coreless LSM can be used to create propulsive force without attractive force so as to allow a relatively high drag vehicle suspension, such as a vehicle sliding on a smooth surface.

A high-speed transportation system, the system including at least one transportation path having at least one track, at least one transportation vehicle configured for travel along the at least one transportation path, a propulsion system adapted to propel the at least one transportation vehicle along the at least one transportation path; and a levitation system adapted to levitate the transportation vehicle along the at least one transportation path. The at least one transportation vehicle additionally comprises wheels for at least intermittently supporting the transportation vehicle on the at least one track.

A high-speed transportation system, the system including at least one transportation path having at least one track, at least one transportation vehicle configured for travel along the at least one transportation path, a propulsion system adapted to propel the at least one transportation vehicle along the at least one transportation path; and a levitation system adapted to levitate the transportation vehicle along the at least one transportation path. The at least one transportation vehicle additionally comprises wheels for at least intermittently supporting the transportation vehicle on the at least one track.

A vacuum transport tube vehicle for evacuating a vacuum transport tube has a first end, a second end, and a body comprising a piston head. The vehicle has a blade-actuator assembly, comprising a circumferential blade member sealed to the piston head and having a blade perimeter portion defining a first end outer surface forming an annular gap with an inner surface of the vacuum transport tube. The vehicle further includes a plurality of blade segment actuators arranged circumferentially around the piston perimeter portion and configured to actively adjust a radial position of the blade member at the corresponding blade circumferential locations in a manner accommodating non-uniformities in an inner surface profile of the vacuum transport tube, and maintaining the annular gap at a substantially constant and relatively short gap distance during movement of the vehicle through the vacuum transport tube.

The disclosure relates to a method for operating a movement apparatus having a first assembly and a second assembly. The first assembly includes a base and several permanent-magnet arrangements that are connected to the base via actuators such that they move as a whole relative to the base in at least one degree of freedom by the assigned actuator, the second assembly including a base and a permanent-magnet arrangement arranged firmly relative to the base. Position controllers are provided, each with a controlled variable and with a correcting variable. The controlled variable is one of six possible degrees of freedom with regard to a relative position between the first and second assembly. The correcting variable represents a force or a torque that has been assigned to the degree of freedom. Desired positions of the actuators are computed from the correcting variables and the actuators are set accordingly.