A method for manufacturing at least one transportation tube having a plurality of transportation tube sections for a high-speed transportation system. The method includes manufacturing the tube sections in-situ adjacent to an approximate path of the transportation system where the tube sections are to be positioned.

A system includes at least one tube forming a portion of a transportation path, wherein the tube is maintained as a low-pressure environment, a propulsion system configured to propel at least one capsule through the tube, a levitation system configured to levitate the capsule within the tube, and at least one tube sealer arranged along the at least one tube and configured to selectively create an airlock in the at least one tube.

A pneumatic regenerative system for a railway vehicle equipped with a plurality of axles includes a plurality of pneumatic drive mechanisms coupled to each of the plurality of axles. Each pneumatic drive mechanism includes an accumulator and a pneumatic device. The pneumatic device may in some examples be a reversible air motor device. The accumulator is operable to receive and store pressurized air. The reversible air motor device is coupled to the accumulator and one of the plurality of axles of the vehicle. The reversible air motor device is operable in a first configuration and a second configuration. During a braking operation of the railway vehicle, the reversible air motor device in the first configuration is driven by rotation of the one of the plurality of axles to generate and store pressurized air in the accumulator. During an acceleration operation, of the railway vehicle the reversible air motor device receives pressurized air from the accumulator to drive rotation of the one of the plurality of axles.

A pneumatic regenerative system for a railway vehicle equipped with a plurality of axles includes a plurality of pneumatic drive mechanisms coupled to each of the plurality of axles. Each pneumatic drive mechanism includes an accumulator and a pneumatic device. The pneumatic device may in some examples be a reversible air motor device. The accumulator is operable to receive and store pressurized air. The reversible air motor device is coupled to the accumulator and one of the plurality of axles of the vehicle. The reversible air motor device is operable in a first configuration and a second configuration. During a braking operation of the railway vehicle, the reversible air motor device in the first configuration is driven by rotation of the one of the plurality of axles to generate and store pressurized air in the accumulator. During an acceleration operation, of the railway vehicle the reversible air motor device receives pressurized air from the accumulator to drive rotation of the one of the plurality of axles.

A drive for a vehicle which is track-guided on a track section, the vehicle being supported on the track section by track rollers when at a standstill or when moving slowly. Lift-causing elements are mounted on the vehicle and lift the vehicle off the track section during fast travel, and drive rollers of the vehicle act laterally on the track section.

A drive for a vehicle which is track-guided on a track section, the vehicle being supported on the track section by track rollers when at a standstill or when moving slowly. Lift-causing elements are mounted on the vehicle and lift the vehicle off the track section during fast travel, and drive rollers of the vehicle act laterally on the track section.

A transport vehicle for traveling in a low-pressure environment structure is provided. The transport vehicle may include a deployable decelerator configured to deploy from the transport vehicle to decrease a distance between the transport vehicle and the low-pressure environment structure and a communication network that monitors and collects a plurality of operation parameters from the transport vehicle and the low-pressure environment structure to control deployment of the deployable decelerator based on a plurality of predetermined triggering events.

A transport vehicle for traveling in a low-pressure environment structure is provided. The transport vehicle may include a deployable decelerator configured to deploy from the transport vehicle to decrease a distance between the transport vehicle and the low-pressure environment structure and a communication network that monitors and collects a plurality of operation parameters from the transport vehicle and the low-pressure environment structure to control deployment of the deployable decelerator based on a plurality of predetermined triggering events.

A high-speed transportation system, the system including at least one transportation tube having at least one track, at least one capsule configured for travel through the at least one tube between stations, a propulsion system for the at least one capsule; and a levitation system for levitating the capsule in the tube.

A transportation system for supersonic travel including a conduit containing an atmosphere that exhibits high aerodynamic tunneling performance, or high gas efficacy, and a vehicle designed to operate within the conduit. The vehicle traveling within the conduit along a support and guide structure that is complementary to a support and guidance system of the vehicle. The vehicle being propelled through the conduit via a propulsion system that includes contra-rotating propellers.