A logistics service system (10) comprising at least one tube (14,16, 43) connecting at least one terminal (11, 12, 70), at least one carrier (17) configured to hold goods (48) to be handled in the logistics service system (10), at least one switching device (51) arranged to connect at least two of said tubes (14, 16, 43), and configured to redirect said carrier (17) from one of said tubes into another of said tubes, at least one means for propulsion (15) of the at least one carrier (17) in said tube (14, 16, 43), at least one control unit (29, 50), and wherein all above being configured to produce logistics services that includes both storing and transport functions.

A logistics service system (10) comprising at least one tube (14,16, 43) connecting at least one terminal (11, 12, 70), at least one carrier (17) configured to hold goods (48) to be handled in the logistics service system (10), at least one switching device (51) arranged to connect at least two of said tubes (14, 16, 43), and configured to redirect said carrier (17) from one of said tubes into another of said tubes, at least one means for propulsion (15) of the at least one carrier (17) in said tube (14, 16, 43), at least one control unit (29, 50), and wherein all above being configured to produce logistics services that includes both storing and transport functions.

Disclosed is a combined pumping/gas source unit configured for use in a tubular transportation system for transporting one or more passengers or one or more cargos via a capsule along a predetermined route, where the tubular transportation system comprises a plurality of substantially evacuated tubes arranged along the predetermined route, each tube in the plurality of substantially evacuated tubes maintained at a pressure that is below atmospheric pressure.

Disclosed is a combined pumping/gas source unit configured for use in a tubular transportation system for transporting one or more passengers or one or more cargos via a capsule along a predetermined route, where the tubular transportation system comprises a plurality of substantially evacuated tubes arranged along the predetermined route, each tube in the plurality of substantially evacuated tubes maintained at a pressure that is below atmospheric pressure.

Disclosed within is an injection system for injecting and maintaining a gaseous composition (helium and air) within a tube (e.g., a tubular transportation system for transporting one or more passengers or one or more cargos via a capsule), where the tube is pumped to a pressure that is below atmospheric pressure until the tube is substantially evacuated and where the capsule has an outside skin layer having injection nozzles. A source of helium gas located on board the capsule releases the helium outside of the capsule via the nozzles to relieve pressure buildup in a stagnation point at the front of the capsule or to reduce effects of a choking flow around the capsule or to relieve the effects of a shockwave at the rear of the capsule.

Disclosed within is an injection system for injecting and maintaining a gaseous composition (helium and air) within a tube (e.g., a tubular transportation system for transporting one or more passengers or one or more cargos via a capsule), where the tube is pumped to a pressure that is below atmospheric pressure until the tube is substantially evacuated and where the capsule has an outside skin layer having injection nozzles. A source of helium gas located on board the capsule releases the helium outside of the capsule via the nozzles to relieve pressure buildup in a stagnation point at the front of the capsule or to reduce effects of a choking flow around the capsule or to relieve the effects of a shockwave at the rear of the capsule.

The invention is for the purpose of launching and feeding capsules in a hydraulic pipeline based on the principle of a hydraulic jet. The jet nozzle in the body of the launcher creates a low pressure zone in the launcher in which capsules can be fed from a chute or a hopper at atmospheric pressure through a vertical indexing rotor without backflow of water into the hopper, chute or conveyor. The vertical indexing rotor is operated by a Geneva wheel system connected to a geared motor, or a servomotor controlled by a computer. The water pressure for the pipeline is provided by an external pump. The capsules are supplied by a dry conveyor, a hopper and a chute at the top of the launcher.

Implementations are described for maintaining helium/air mixture within a tube in an evacuated tube transportation system. A first implementation includes a set of helium tanks uniformly fitted along the tube length, where helium is injected with controlled valves that open or close to maintain the desired level of helium. An operations control center (OCC) receives helium concentration levels in the tube and instructs a controller in the tube to release helium into the tube when detected levels of helium is lower than the desired level of helium. Another implementation is described where a capsule traversing the tube may have a source of helium gas that can be released into the tube. A hybrid approach is also described where helium can be released from a source within the tube and from another source within the capsule.

Implementations are described for maintaining helium/air mixture within a tube in an evacuated tube transportation system. A first implementation includes a set of helium tanks uniformly fitted along the tube length, where helium is injected with controlled valves that open or close to maintain the desired level of helium. An operations control center (OCC) receives helium concentration levels in the tube and instructs a controller in the tube to release helium into the tube when detected levels of helium is lower than the desired level of helium. Another implementation is described where a capsule traversing the tube may have a source of helium gas that can be released into the tube. A hybrid approach is also described where helium can be released from a source within the tube and from another source within the capsule.

A non-contact conveyance device includes a conveyance head in which a flat facing surface opposing a conveyed object is formed, a gas supply port connected to a supply source of compressed air is provided in the conveyance head, each of ejection ports of a plurality of ejection paths that communicate with the supply port and are formed in the conveyance head is provided at a position separated by an opening distance from a holding center point of the facing surface, an inclination angle of the ejection path with respect to the facing surface is set to an acute angle, and the compressed gas ejected from each of the ejection ports flows along the facing surface and holds the conveyed object without causing the convey object to contact with the facing surface.