Provided are embodiments of a suspension train comprising a shell body, wheels and a flow disturbing plate connected with the wheels, a suspension train operating system comprising a non-vacuum cover body and the suspension train traveling in the cover body in an ideal vacuum state at high speeds, and first and second propelling force sources converted from fluid resistance for multiplying propelling force of the train. A fluid channel communicating with the outside is formed between the upper surface of the flow disturbing plate with the lower surface being a concave-convex flow disturbing surface and the bottom of the shell body. The high-speed suspension train is completely driven by solar energy.

Provided are embodiments of a suspension train comprising a shell body, wheels and a flow disturbing plate connected with the wheels, a suspension train operating system comprising a non-vacuum cover body and the suspension train traveling in the cover body in an ideal vacuum state at high speeds, and first and second propelling force sources converted from fluid resistance for multiplying propelling force of the train. A fluid channel communicating with the outside is formed between the upper surface of the flow disturbing plate with the lower surface being a concave-convex flow disturbing surface and the bottom of the shell body. The high-speed suspension train is completely driven by solar energy.

A fluid bearing includes a housing including an internal plenum disposed in the housing and an inlet in fluid communication with the plenum, wherein the inlet is configured to provide fluid to the plenum from an external source, a cushion surface facing away from the housing and the plenum, one or more nozzles positioned between the cushion surface and the housing, wherein the one or more nozzles extend from the plenum to the surrounding environment, wherein the one or more nozzles are configured to produce an annular curtain of fluid flowing at a velocity of at least Mach 1 and disposed about the cushion surface in response to a fluid flow entering the plenum from the inlet.

A transportation system is disclosed that includes a monorail (or other vehicle) along a column-supported rail and a movable weight system that repositions and/or accelerates a movable weight with respect to the movable weight's rail to counterbalance a moment associated with the weight and/or a centrifugal force of the monorail relative to the column, where some embodiments also mitigate resonance. Also disclosed is a linear induction motor (LIM) system that enables the LIM to tilt and thereby remain close to the rail, which mitigates potential thrust losses and/or air losses. Further disclosed is an air bearing system where the air bearing has a compliance and a resilience that minimizes air loss between the rail and the bearing. Additionally disclosed is a rotatable wedge system that essentially expands and/or contracts automatically to maintain an adjacency between two rail portions, where some embodiments also mitigate resonance.

A transportation system is disclosed that includes a monorail (or other vehicle) along a column-supported rail and a movable weight system that repositions and/or accelerates a movable weight with respect to the movable weight's rail to counterbalance a moment associated with the weight and/or a centrifugal force of the monorail relative to the column, where some embodiments also mitigate resonance. Also disclosed is a linear induction motor (LIM) system that enables the LIM to tilt and thereby remain close to the rail, which mitigates potential thrust losses and/or air losses. Further disclosed is an air bearing system where the air bearing has a compliance and a resilience that minimizes air loss between the rail and the bearing. Additionally disclosed is a rotatable wedge system that essentially expands and/or contracts automatically to maintain an adjacency between two rail portions, where some embodiments also mitigate resonance.

The present invention relates to a fender, bogie, train, track and methods. The fender according to the invention comprises: a support surface provided on the underside during use; an inner pressure chamber provided in or on the support surface; a feed arranged in the pressure chamber for feeding a fluid; a first rim present round the inner pressure chamber, wherein at least a part of the rim is flexible; and a second rim arranged round the first rim such that a pressure chamber is created between two adjacent rims.

The present invention relates to a fender, bogie, train, track and methods. The fender according to the invention comprises: a support surface provided on the underside during use; an inner pressure chamber provided in or on the support surface; a feed arranged in the pressure chamber for feeding a fluid; a first rim present round the inner pressure chamber, wherein at least a part of the rim is flexible; and a second rim arranged round the first rim such that a pressure chamber is created between two adjacent rims.

The performance of a passive-levitation vehicle is improved for moving over a path, wherein the vehicle has a levitation skid slidable on the path and capable of developing a levitation force to support a compartment at a certain distance from the path. For this aim, there is a suspension, connected between the compartment and the skid, comprising a kinematic structure to confer degrees of freedom and relative constraints between the skid and the compartment; a passive elastic element connected between the skid and the compartment; and a controlled-dynamic element able to exert a force having controlled dynamics between the skid and the compartment; wherein the passive elastic element and the controlled-dynamic element being mounted in parallel to each other and connected, e.g. at their ends, respectively to the skid and the compartment. By means of a sensor the distance is detected between the skid and the path, and an electronic circuit, connected to the sensor and to the controlled-dynamics element, carries out a feedback control in order to adjust said distance.

The performance of a passive-levitation vehicle is improved for moving over a path, wherein the vehicle has a levitation skid slidable on the path and capable of developing a levitation force to support a compartment at a certain distance from the path. For this aim, there is a suspension, connected between the compartment and the skid, comprising a kinematic structure to confer degrees of freedom and relative constraints between the skid and the compartment; a passive elastic element connected between the skid and the compartment; and a controlled-dynamic element able to exert a force having controlled dynamics between the skid and the compartment; wherein the passive elastic element and the controlled-dynamic element being mounted in parallel to each other and connected, e.g. at their ends, respectively to the skid and the compartment. By means of a sensor the distance is detected between the skid and the path, and an electronic circuit, connected to the sensor and to the controlled-dynamics element, carries out a feedback control in order to adjust said distance.

A transportation system is disclosed that includes a monorail (or other vehicle) along a column-supported rail and a movable weight system that repositions and/or accelerates a movable weight with respect to the movable weight's rail to counterbalance a moment associated with the weight and/or a centrifugal force of the monorail relative to the column, where some embodiments also mitigate resonance. Also disclosed is a linear induction motor (LIM) system that enables the LIM to tilt and thereby remain close to the rail, which mitigates potential thrust losses and/or air losses. Further disclosed is an air bearing system where the air bearing has a compliance and a resilience that minimizes air loss between the rail and the bearing. Additionally disclosed is a rotatable wedge system that essentially expands and/or contracts automatically to maintain an adjacency between two rail portions, where some embodiments also mitigate resonance.