A double-walled tube section for constructing a double-walled tube segment suitable for underpressure applications such as an evacuated tube transport system.

A method is disclosed for docking and undocking a hyperloop vehicle in a station. The method includes the step of extending a support system to a first position, wherein the support system engages a surface to support the hyperloop vehicle at a first elevation. The method further includes the steps of moving the hyperloop vehicle to a predetermined docking position and engaging a coupler to fixedly position the hyperloop vehicle relative to a docking platform.

A propulsion system is composed of vehicles with four wheels having one of the axles connected to a pylon attached to the propulsion plate. The vehicles move over rails of elevated guideways supported by pillars. The top of the elevated guideways has longitudinal slots for allowing passage of pylons of propulsion plates. The elevated guideway is dual and has two power propulsion units for propulsion operation in a push and/or pull mode, one for each elevated guideway. The power propulsion units are installed inside the machine rooms under the pavement of the sob passenger stations supported on pillars. The power propulsion units are connected to the elevated guideways by means of connection ducts. Secondary propulsion ducts are disposed in parallel with the propulsion duct and integrated with its respective flow direction valve which allows that the air flow generated by the power propulsion unit is discharged in the propulsion duct in two distinct positions. The pneumatic propulsion arrangement is completed by isolation valve sets of the guideway section, atmospheric valve sets, set of four air flow control valves mounted in the connection ducts of the power propulsion units and flow direction valves.

A method of operating a tube transport system having a tube assembly with an outer tube, one or more inner tubes, and a support structure, and a vehicle having an outer wall surface defining an annular gap between the outer wall surface of the vehicle and the inner wall of the tube assembly. The method includes moving the vehicle along a path toward a first end at a velocity above a choking limit of a flow of gas particles in the annular gap, while releasing gas particles from an inner space of the tube assembly in front of the vehicle, and reversing the direction of motion and moving the vehicle along the path toward a second end at a velocity above the choking limit of the flow of the gas particles in the annular gap while releasing gas particles from the inner space of the tube assembly in front of the vehicle.

Underground distribution system for the distribution of goods in an urban environment including at least one micro-tunnel forming at least one loop, extending under the foundations of preexisting surface buildings and/or infrastructures, in which goods, the transportation of which is automated, circulate, and a plurality of exchange stations exchanging with the surface, each including a shaft allowing goods to be lowered down to the micro-tunnel and raised back up after they have been transported within the micro-tunnel.

An elevated guideway performing the function of supporting, guiding and propelling pneumatic transport vehicles for passengers and loads. The two-part elevated guideway is formed by two components, each corresponding to one side of the cross section, divided by a vertical axis passing through the center of the slot. Components are not symmetrical, the left hand component having a wider top table. Components are joined through a niche already present at the lower slabs which is filled with a structural resin. Niche for joining the two-part elevated guideway has a central type female-female fitting. The elevated guideway includes guideway guards, two additions for installing the propulsion duct slot seal, tubes for the electric power supply and telecommunication and control cables, the protective railing for protection in the side emergency gangway, the unit for securing the rail via the web thereof, rails and the third and fourth electric power supply rails of the vehicle. The two-part elevated guideway may have, combined on the same beam of the propulsion duct, a secondary propulsion duct, thereby forming a single, non-separable structure.

A method for producing a tube segment and a tube for an evacuated tube transport system and a method for producing the tube segment.

A propulsion system is composed of vehicles with four wheels having one of the axles connected to a pylon attached to the propulsion plate. The vehicles move over rails of elevated guideways supported by pillars. The top of the elevated guideways has longitudinal slots for allowing passage of pylons of propulsion plates. The elevated guideway is dual and has two power propulsion units for propulsion operation in a push and/or pull mode, one for each elevated guideway. The power propulsion units are installed inside the machine rooms under the pavement of the sob passenger stations supported on pillars. The power propulsion units are connected to the elevated guideways by means of connection ducts. Secondary propulsion ducts are disposed in parallel with the propulsion duct and integrated with its respective flow direction valve which allows that the air flow generated by the power propulsion unit is discharged in the propulsion duct in two distinct positions. The pneumatic propulsion arrangement is completed by isolation valve sets of the guideway section, atmospheric valve sets, set of four air flow control valves mounted in the connection ducts of the power propulsion units and flow direction valves.

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 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.