An electronic parachute deployment system including an electronic actuator, a control module, a deployment actuator, and a release mechanism. A parachute is positioned on a payload device, such as a racecar, to slow or stop the payload upon receipt of an electronic deployment activation signal. The electronic deployment signal is verified, including determining proper voltage and source. The deployment system includes multiple redundancies including mechanical deployment redundancy, remote deployment redundancy, and power supply redundancy. The control module responsible for monitoring deployment includes indicators and sensors to indicate a status, operation, or mode relative to the operability of the payload device, relative to components of the release mechanism, and relative to the parachute deployment.

An electronic parachute deployment system including an electronic actuator, a control module, a deployment actuator, and a release mechanism. A parachute is positioned on a payload device, such as a racecar, to slow or stop the payload upon receipt of an electronic deployment activation signal. The electronic deployment signal is verified, including determining proper voltage and source. The deployment system includes multiple redundancies including mechanical deployment redundancy, remote deployment redundancy, and power supply redundancy. The control module responsible for monitoring deployment includes indicators and sensors to indicate a status, operation, or mode relative to the operability of the payload device, relative to components of the release mechanism, and relative to the parachute deployment.

Provided is a hypertube transport system. Specifically, provided are a magnetically-levitated train and an infrastructure-system in which same travels, comprising: refrigerant for cooling compressed air of a hypertube train, and a compressed air cooling system utilizing the refrigerant; an apparatus and method for controlling trains operating in a vacuum tube; superconducting switches for superconducting magnets for magnetic levitation; a driving stability apparatus for the hypertube transport system; a control apparatus for trains of the hypertube transport system; and an energy harvester.

Provided is a hypertube transport system. Specifically, provided are a magnetically-levitated train and an infrastructure-system in which same travels, comprising: refrigerant for cooling compressed air of a hypertube train, and a compressed air cooling system utilizing the refrigerant; an apparatus and method for controlling trains operating in a vacuum tube; superconducting switches for superconducting magnets for magnetic levitation; a driving stability apparatus for the hypertube transport system; a control apparatus for trains of the hypertube transport system; and an energy harvester.

A system for controlling centralized brake of vehicles, comprising: a pressure collection device for collecting the pressure of a main blast pipe and a train pipe control device. The pressure signal output end of the pressure collection device is connected to the pressure signal input end of the train pipe control device; the brake signal input end of the train pipe control device is connected to the brake signal output end of a brake controller; the train pipe control device is pneumatically connected to the main blast pipe and a train pipe separately by means of an air channel. By means of the solution, the installation space of a trailer is reduced, and the costs are lowered. In addition, the change in the pressure of the train pipe is controlled by an automatic brake control system, the train can operate after being connected to an automatically air-braked coach, according to a brake request output by the brake controller and the detection of the real-time pressure of the train pipe, the change in the pressure of the train pipe is controlled, and a five-line control signal is used, so that flexible marshalling can be implemented.

A flywheel device includes an enclosure that surrounds an interior chamber that includes a rotor, which during normal operation is maintained in a vacuum state and spinning, the enclosure includes a first opening, and a valve that attaches to the enclosure, configured to enable, when actuated, ambient air to flow from the exterior of the enclosure into the chamber through the first opening, thus allowing the internal air pressure to rapidly approach ambient air pressure and thereby increase the air drag which acts as a brake on the spinning rotor.

A method of controlling drivability of a vehicle detects an overall load acting on the vehicle. A mass of the vehicle or an estimate thereof is obtained. A controller determines whether the vehicle is negotiating a curve during a driving situation. If the vehicle is negotiating a curve during the driving situation, the controller determines whether the vehicle has a tendency to oversteer or to understeer. The load acting on the vehicle is dynamically changed or a suspension stiffness of the vehicle is dynamically adjusted to reduce the tendency of the vehicle to oversteer or to understeer.