A hybrid electrodynamic levitation system that utilizes both superconducting and conductive tracks. The hybrid system reduces the overall drag induced upon the system and reduces the amount of power required to achieve operating speeds, while resolving the issue of requiring velocity relative to the track for levitation. The total initial and operating costs of the hybrid system can be lower than utilizing a superconductive or conductive track alone, while still enabling a fail-safe levitation system for high speed transportation.

A hybrid electrodynamic levitation system that utilizes both superconducting and conductive tracks. The hybrid system reduces the overall drag induced upon the system and reduces the amount of power required to achieve operating speeds, while resolving the issue of requiring velocity relative to the track for levitation. The total initial and operating costs of the hybrid system can be lower than utilizing a superconductive or conductive track alone, while still enabling a fail-safe levitation system for high speed transportation.

A transport system including at least one guideway, at least one levitation generator, at least one lifting member, at least one drive generator, and at least one drive member is presented. The at least one guideway, at least one levitation generator, at least one lifting member, at least one drive generator, and at least one drive member can each be implemented with other systems. The at least one drive generator is configured to: generate a driving magnetic flux; move with a corresponding at least one drive member; and be driven relative to the at least one drive member by the driving magnetic flux. The at least one levitation generator can be 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.

A transport system including at least one guideway, at least one levitation generator, at least one lifting member, at least one drive generator, and at least one drive member is presented. The at least one guideway, at least one levitation generator, at least one lifting member, at least one drive generator, and at least one drive member can each be implemented with other systems. The at least one drive generator is configured to: generate a driving magnetic flux; move with a corresponding at least one drive member; and be driven relative to the at least one drive member by the driving magnetic flux. The at least one levitation generator can be 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.

A vehicle guidance system and method of forming the same. The vehicle guidance system includes a transport guideway having an at least partial tube structure; vehicle tracks; a vehicle, having a fuselage with an uppermost surface and a lowermost surface, that travels over the vehicle tracks; and at least one track channel assembly arranged on an inside of the at least partial tube structure. The at least one track channel assembly is arranged so that, as the vehicle travels over the vehicle track, the at least one track channel assembly is located between the uppermost surface and the lowermost surface of the fuselage.

A vehicle guidance system and method of forming the same. The vehicle guidance system includes a transport guideway having an at least partial tube structure; vehicle tracks; a vehicle, having a fuselage with an uppermost surface and a lowermost surface, that travels over the vehicle tracks; and at least one track channel assembly arranged on an inside of the at least partial tube structure. The at least one track channel assembly is arranged so that, as the vehicle travels over the vehicle track, the at least one track channel assembly is located between the uppermost surface and the lowermost surface of the fuselage.

A semiautomatic (1) sensorized apparatus for the execution of inspections of the railway pantograph (P) is detachably associated to a railway pantograph and allows the execution of two distinct tests in succession: i) the first one, which monitors the functional properties of the pantograph, based on the characterization of the thrust force generated by the main suspension; ii) the second, which aims to identify global and local defects, adopting the principle of inspection by means of vibration analysis.

A semiautomatic (1) sensorized apparatus for the execution of inspections of the railway pantograph (P) is detachably associated to a railway pantograph and allows the execution of two distinct tests in succession: i) the first one, which monitors the functional properties of the pantograph, based on the characterization of the thrust force generated by the main suspension; ii) the second, which aims to identify global and local defects, adopting the principle of inspection by means of vibration analysis.

A cargo container loading and unloading system for a transportation system, the cargo container loading and unloading system including a loading zone; and at least one opening connecting the loading zone to a transportation tube of the transportation system.

A cargo container loading and unloading system for a transportation system, the cargo container loading and unloading system including a loading zone; and at least one opening connecting the loading zone to a transportation tube of the transportation system.