The article transport vehicle travels with its wheel rolling on the travel surface provided on the upper surface of the travel rail. The travel rail has a peripheral wall that includes a surface on which the travel surface is formed, and an internal space that is enclosed by the peripheral wall, and extends along the travel path. The travel surface has a through hole that passes through the peripheral wall, and brings the internal space into communication with an external space. The travel rail is provided with a suction device that is in communication with the internal space, and is configured to suck air in the internal space. The internal space is closed except for the through hole, and a connection portion for the suction device.

The present invention generally relates to a rail transport system having no internal drive, and in particular to an improved rail transport system for conveying bulk materials. The rail transport system includes horizontal and vertical drive stations that include a drive tire that rotates on a plane parallel to the track. In this arrangement, force is applied on a different plane than earlier systems, and the reaction force is separated out of the tensioning device. The improvements of the drive stations provide for a reduction of steel used in the system, improved manufacturability and, therefore, reduction in system component costs as compared to previous drive stations. Moreover, the drive stations allow for improved maintainability and access to the drive tires.

A vacuum transport tube vehicle, system, and method for evacuating a vacuum transport tube are provided. The vehicle has a first end having a first end outer surface. An annular gap is formed between the first end outer surface and an inner surface of the vacuum transport tube. The vehicle has a second end having a second end outer diameter, and a body in the form of a piston with a structural framework. The vehicle has an orifice extending from a first inlet portion in the first end to a second outlet portion of the vehicle. The vehicle has a drive assembly coupled to the body, and a power system. The vehicle evacuates the vacuum transport tube by reducing pressure within the tube with each successive vehicle pass through the tube, until a desired pressure is obtained and a vacuum is created in the interior of the tube.

A linear transport system for conveying an object, wherein the linear transport system comprises at least one stationary guide rail and at least one movable conveying device, wherein the conveying device comprises a first guide unit having a first track roller, a second track roller and a first turntable, wherein the first track roller and the second track roller are mounted in a rotatable manner at the first turntable and lie against the guide rail, wherein the guide rail comprises a longitudinal rail axis extending in the longitudinal direction, wherein the first turntable is mounted about a turntable axis in a rotatable manner, wherein the turntable axis is arranged in an inclined manner, in particular perpendicular, to the longitudinal rail axis.

A linear transport system for conveying an object, wherein the linear transport system comprises at least one stationary guide rail and at least one movable conveying device, wherein the conveying device comprises a first guide unit having a first track roller, a second track roller and a first turntable, wherein the first track roller and the second track roller are mounted in a rotatable manner at the first turntable and lie against the guide rail, wherein the guide rail comprises a longitudinal rail axis extending in the longitudinal direction, wherein the first turntable is mounted about a turntable axis in a rotatable manner, wherein the turntable axis is arranged in an inclined manner, in particular perpendicular, to the longitudinal rail axis.

A dynamic simulation test platform for ultra-high-speed evacuated tube magnetic levitation (maglev) transportation includes an evacuated tube having a transition section and a vacuum section, a vacuum maintaining system, a motor supporting platform, and a model train. One end of the evacuated tube is provided with a first isolation door, and the other end is closed. A second isolation door is provided inside the evacuated tube. The vacuum maintaining system is connected to the transition section and the vacuum section. The motor supporting platform is provided in the evacuated tube and extends outside the transition section. The motor supporting platform is provided with a stator winding and a permanent-magnet track. A mover and a cryogenic dewar are provided at a bottom of the model train. The cryogenic dewar is provided with a superconducting bulk. A test method using the test platform is further provided.

A linear transport apparatus includes a transport cart, a first roller that rotates about a first rotation shaft extending from the transport cart along a first direction, a second roller that rotates about a second rotation shaft extending from the transport cart and forming an acute angle with the first rotation shaft, and a rail sandwiched between the first and second rollers to extend along a track on which the transport cart moves. The rail includes a first contact portion coming contact with the first roller and restricting movement of the transport cart in a second direction perpendicular to a direction in which the rail extends and the first direction, and a second contact portion that comes into contact with the second roller and is parallel to the second rotation shaft, and the rail includes a portion in which curvature of the track moves is different from another portion.

A linear transport apparatus includes a transport cart, a first roller that rotates about a first rotation shaft extending from the transport cart along a first direction, a second roller that rotates about a second rotation shaft extending from the transport cart and forming an acute angle with the first rotation shaft, and a rail sandwiched between the first and second rollers to extend along a track on which the transport cart moves. The rail includes a first contact portion coming contact with the first roller and restricting movement of the transport cart in a second direction perpendicular to a direction in which the rail extends and the first direction, and a second contact portion that comes into contact with the second roller and is parallel to the second rotation shaft, and the rail includes a portion in which curvature of the track moves is different from another portion.

A system for transporting one or more items is provided. The system includes: a transportation tube disposed at least partially underground or at least partially above ground; a transportation pod to secure items therein for transport; a transportation actuator to propel the transportation pod through the transportation tube, the transportation actuator including one or more pumps coupled to the transportation tube and configured to pressurize a fluid medium through the transportation tube such that the pressurized fluid medium propels the transportation pod through the transportation tube; a first access point located proximate a first end of the transportation tube; and a second access point located proximate a second end of the transportation tube. Each of the first and second access points includes an opening configured to allow the transportation pod to be received into or removed from the transportation tube.

A system for transporting one or more items is provided. The system includes: a transportation tube disposed at least partially underground or at least partially above ground; a transportation pod to secure items therein for transport; a transportation actuator to propel the transportation pod through the transportation tube, the transportation actuator including one or more pumps coupled to the transportation tube and configured to pressurize a fluid medium through the transportation tube such that the pressurized fluid medium propels the transportation pod through the transportation tube; a first access point located proximate a first end of the transportation tube; and a second access point located proximate a second end of the transportation tube. Each of the first and second access points includes an opening configured to allow the transportation pod to be received into or removed from the transportation tube.