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 tubular transportation system is disclosed for transporting one or more passengers or one or more cargos via a capsule along a predetermined route. A method and an algorithm are described for determining optimum operating points for power/cost and helium-air ratios in a plurality of substantially evacuated tubes in a tubular transportation system for transporting one or more passengers or one or more cargos via a capsule along a predetermined route.

A tubular transportation system is disclosed for transporting one or more passengers or one or more cargos via a capsule along a predetermined route. A method and an algorithm are described for determining optimum operating points for power/cost and helium-air ratios in a plurality of substantially evacuated tubes in a tubular transportation system for transporting one or more passengers or one or more cargos via a capsule along a predetermined route.

A method is described for maintaining a gaseous composition within a tube (that is part of tubular transportation system for transporting passengers or cargos via a capsule), where the tube is arranged along a predetermined route. The method comprises: (a) pumping the tube to a pressure that is below atmospheric pressure until the tube is substantially evacuated; (b) identifying a predetermined power value; (c) identifying a first percentage, x, of hydrogen based on the predetermined power value identified in (b) and a leak rate associated with the tube; (d) maintaining within each tube in the plurality of substantially evacuated tubes, a gaseous composition comprising a mixture of a first percentage, x, of hydrogen and a second percentage, (100-x), of air.

A method is described for maintaining a gaseous composition within a tube (that is part of tubular transportation system for transporting passengers or cargos via a capsule), where the tube is arranged along a predetermined route. The method comprises: (a) pumping the tube to a pressure that is below atmospheric pressure until the tube is substantially evacuated; (b) identifying a predetermined power value; (c) identifying a first percentage, x, of hydrogen based on the predetermined power value identified in (b) and a leak rate associated with the tube; (d) maintaining within each tube in the plurality of substantially evacuated tubes, a gaseous composition comprising a mixture of a first percentage, x, of hydrogen and a second percentage, (100-x), of air.

An automatic reloading and transport system for solid targets for a particle accelerator using a pneumatic tube transport system from the point of target activation by a particle accelerator to a target processing point and back, comprising a pneumatic tube transport system with end stations for receipt and dispatch of a capsule accommodating the target, a handling mechanism for both manipulating the solid target and handling the capsule and a target positioning system.

An automatic reloading and transport system for solid targets for a particle accelerator using a pneumatic tube transport system from the point of target activation by a particle accelerator to a target processing point and back, comprising a pneumatic tube transport system with end stations for receipt and dispatch of a capsule accommodating the target, a handling mechanism for both manipulating the solid target and handling the capsule and a target positioning system.

An aquatic transportation, storage, and distribution system, including one or more storage containers and a guide structure. The storage container is capable of retaining one or more items therein and is configured to selectively vary the buoyancy thereof to urge the storage container to float up or sink down within an aquatic environment. The guide structure is supported at least partially within the aquatic environment and includes at least one non-horizontal segment. The storage container is configured to interact with the at least one segment as the storage container is urged to float up or sink within the aquatic environment such that the storage container is moved along the guide structure and is routed to a specified extraction point for retrieval from the aquatic environment.

A battery swapping system includes a battery shell installed in the electric vehicle. The battery shell includes a plurality of slots. A plurality of battery modules are installed in the plurality of slots of the battery shell. A battery pump includes a suction system, a propulsion system, and a hose for connecting the battery pump to the electric vehicle. The suction system is configured to remove a plurality of discharged battery modules from the battery shell and the propulsion system is configured to provide a plurality of charged battery modules into the battery shell. In some embodiments, the battery modules include a spherical body housing a plurality of battery cells therein. The spherical body includes bottom air vents for air cooling the battery cells, and top alignment holes for aligning the battery module with adjacent battery modules in series within a slot of the battery shell.

A battery swapping system includes a battery shell installed in the electric vehicle. The battery shell includes a plurality of slots. A plurality of battery modules are installed in the plurality of slots of the battery shell. A battery pump includes a suction system, a propulsion system, and a hose for connecting the battery pump to the electric vehicle. The suction system is configured to remove a plurality of discharged battery modules from the battery shell and the propulsion system is configured to provide a plurality of charged battery modules into the battery shell. In some embodiments, the battery modules include a spherical body housing a plurality of battery cells therein. The spherical body includes bottom air vents for air cooling the battery cells, and top alignment holes for aligning the battery module with adjacent battery modules in series within a slot of the battery shell.