Non-contact bearing system, such as a magnetic levitation system, having a geometry. The geometry includes a plurality of track elements arranged to nest together in a length direction. The plurality of track elements are shaped to define at least an upper and a lower null flux crossing and the plurality of nested track elements form a conductive metamaterial. Method for constructing a metamaterial null flux magnetic levitation track with tessellating elements of stamped conductors.

Vacuum tube railway system comprising a vacuum tube mounted on a ground support, a magnetic levitation railway track mounted inside a wall forming the vacuum tube for guiding a magnetic levitation railway vehicle, the vacuum tube assembled in sections along the ground support, at least some of a plurality of sections of vacuum tube being coupled together by a dilatation joint configured for hermetically sealing a dilatation gap between said sections of tube. The dilatation joint comprises at least first and second support plates mounted on an outer surface of the tube wall, a first support plate fixed to a first section of vacuum tube and a second support plate being fixed to a second section of vacuum tube, the support plates extending longitudinally over the dilatation gap over a length (L1) greater than a maximum dilatation gap (G).

Vacuum tube railway system comprising a vacuum tube mounted on a ground support, a magnetic levitation railway track mounted inside a wall forming the vacuum tube for guiding a magnetic levitation railway vehicle, the vacuum tube assembled in sections along the ground support, at least some of a plurality of sections of vacuum tube being coupled together by a dilatation joint configured for hermetically sealing a dilatation gap between said sections of tube. The dilatation joint comprises at least first and second support plates mounted on an outer surface of the tube wall, a first support plate fixed to a first section of vacuum tube and a second support plate being fixed to a second section of vacuum tube, the support plates extending longitudinally over the dilatation gap over a length (L1) greater than a maximum dilatation gap (G).

A maglev vehicle and a suspension frame assembly thereof. The suspension frame assembly includes multiple suspension frames sequentially connected to each other. Each suspension frame comprises two motor beams, four support arms, and four air springs. An air spring mounting seat is disposed at a top portion of each support arm. The air spring mounting seats are cavities having openings. The air springs are accommodated in the respective cavities.

A maglev vehicle and a suspension frame assembly thereof. The suspension frame assembly includes multiple suspension frames sequentially connected to each other. Each suspension frame comprises two motor beams, four support arms, and four air springs. An air spring mounting seat is disposed at a top portion of each support arm. The air spring mounting seats are cavities having openings. The air springs are accommodated in the respective cavities.

Railway system includes a railway vehicle movable along a railway guide system, the railway vehicle including a chassis and a carriage rotatably supported on the chassis via a pivot coupling. The railway vehicle further includes a pivot actuation system including an actuator and a control system connected to the actuator and to sensors for actuation and control of the rotation of the carriage relative to the chassis. The carriage is rotationally supported relative to the chassis about a pivot axis (P) that remains in a static position with respect to the chassis, the carriage having a mass distribution forming a centre of gravity (CG) positioned below the pivot axis (P), the pivot actuation system serving to assist and dampen passive rotation of the carriage relative to the chassis due to the torque generated by centrifugal force acting upon the centre of gravity about the pivot axis (P).

Railway system includes a railway vehicle movable along a railway guide system, the railway vehicle including a chassis and a carriage rotatably supported on the chassis via a pivot coupling. The railway vehicle further includes a pivot actuation system including an actuator and a control system connected to the actuator and to sensors for actuation and control of the rotation of the carriage relative to the chassis. The carriage is rotationally supported relative to the chassis about a pivot axis (P) that remains in a static position with respect to the chassis, the carriage having a mass distribution forming a centre of gravity (CG) positioned below the pivot axis (P), the pivot actuation system serving to assist and dampen passive rotation of the carriage relative to the chassis due to the torque generated by centrifugal force acting upon the centre of gravity about the pivot axis (P).

Vacuum tube railway system comprising a vacuum tube mounted on a ground support, a magnetic levitation railway track mounted inside a wall forming the vacuum tube for guiding a magnetic levitation railway vehicle, the vacuum tube assembled in sections along the ground support, at least some of a plurality of sections of vacuum tube being coupled together by a dilatation joint configured for hermetically sealing a dilatation gap between said sections of tube. The dilatation joint comprises at least first and second support plates mounted on an outer surface of the tube wall, a first support plate fixed to a first section of vacuum tube and a second support plate being fixed to a second section of vacuum tube, the support plates extending longitudinally over the dilatation gap over a length (L1) greater than a maximum dilatation gap (G).

Vacuum tube railway system comprising a vacuum tube mounted on a ground support, a magnetic levitation railway track mounted inside a wall forming the vacuum tube for guiding a magnetic levitation railway vehicle, the vacuum tube assembled in sections along the ground support, at least some of a plurality of sections of vacuum tube being coupled together by a dilatation joint configured for hermetically sealing a dilatation gap between said sections of tube. The dilatation joint comprises at least first and second support plates mounted on an outer surface of the tube wall, a first support plate fixed to a first section of vacuum tube and a second support plate being fixed to a second section of vacuum tube, the support plates extending longitudinally over the dilatation gap over a length (L1) greater than a maximum dilatation gap (G).

A vehicle includes a body configured to contain at least one passenger and/or cargo, and an engine, a drivetrain, and a plurality of wheels in mechanical communication with the body and configured to propel the body along road surfaces. The vehicle further includes at least one coupler or magnetic levitation interface in mechanical communication with the body. The at least one coupler or magnetic levitation interface is configured to controllably and repeatedly engage with and be propelled along a portion of a magnetic rail system or magnetic track and to controllably and repeatedly disengage from the portion of the magnetic rail system or magnetic track.