NATIONAL INDIVIDUAL FLOATING TRANSPORT INFRASTRUCTURE

Abstract

The present invention is in the field of a National Individual Floating Transportation Infrastructure (NIfTI) wherein floating vehicles can travel by magnetic levitation and propagation. The vehicles can travel at a controllable height above the existing, albeit modified, road infrastructure and at relatively high speeds.

Claims

1. A method of transferring a vehicle module over an infrastructure, comprising providing said infrastructure, wherein the infrastructure comprises at least one individual track, wherein each track comprises at least one series of coils, wherein series of coils extend in the direction of the width of the track, wherein each series of coils is adapted to provide a levitational magnetic force and a horizontal magnetic force, wherein the horizontal magnetic force is directed along a length direction of the track, wherein coils are placed at a distance from one another, at least one switch per series of coils, wherein each coil individually can be energized by an electrical current and de-energized, wherein each coil can be energized in a pulsed mode, wherein on at least one side of the track guiders are provided, wherein a guider comprises at least one section, wherein each individual section of the guider can be energized, wherein a guider is adapted to control the motion of the vehicle module, a controller for energizing individual coils, an electrical power supply for providing an electrical current, providing said vehicle module, wherein said vehicle module comprises an array of permanent magnets, at least one seat, and an identifier, providing a vertical magnetic field in the track at a location of the vehicle module, thereby lifting the module, providing a horizontal magnetic field in the track at a changing location of the vehicle module, thereby hovering the module at a certain speed in a horizontal direction over the track, cancelling the horizontal magnetic field and providing an opposite magnetic field in the track, thereby decelerating the module, and cancelling the vertical magnetic field in the track thereby letting the module down to the track.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein at least once two series of coils are interrupted by at least one of an electrically conducting plate and permanent magnet plate, wherein the plate extends in a longitudinal direction and width direction of the track.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein each series of coils comprises, each individually, at least one coil and part thereof which is slightly tilted.

4. The method according to claim 1, comprising a feature selected from series of coils are separated by a mutual distance of 5-50 cm, a track has a width of 0.6-3 m, a vehicle module has a width of 0.6-3 m, a vehicle module has a length of 0.6-3 m, an empty vehicle module has a weight of 200-600 kg, at least two vehicle modules are connectable, a coil, each individually, has a length 1-60 cm, a coil, each individually, has a radius of 1-20 cm, a coil, each individually, has a thickness of 0.1-10 cm, a coil, each individually, has a number of windings n.sub.c∈[1,10000]/m, a coil, each individually, comprises an electrically conducting material, a series of coils is adapted to provide a magnetic field Bz of 10.sup.−3-10.sup.1 [T], over a width of a track 1-100/m coils in series are provided, two series of coils are separated by a distance of 1-20 cm, a magnet comprises high magnetic density materials, a magnet comprises at least one magnetic material selected from Group 3-12, Period 4-6 elements, each coil individually is adapted to receive a current of 0.5-200 [A], wherein a switch is adapted to switch within 1000 μsec, at least one switch per individual coil or per row of coils, and wherein each coil is adapted to be energized within 1-10.sup.5 μsec, and combinations thereof.

5. The method according to claim 1, wherein each coil or row of coils is energized in pulses with a duration of 1-100 msec.

6. The method according to claim 1, wherein the speed of the vehicle module is from 0-150 m/sec.

7. The method according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the vehicle modules comprises an array of i∈[1,p] magnets with a spatially rotating pattern of magnetisation, wherein a first magnet has a first magnetization, an i.sup.th magnet, adjacent to (i−1).sup.th, has a magnetization rotated over i*π/n along a horizontal axis, and an n.sup.th magnet has a magnetization parallel to the first magnetization, such that below the array and bottom of the vehicle module an amplified magnetic flux remains and above the array a net magnetic flux is substantially cancelled, 50-100% of the bottom of the vehicle is provided with magnets, magnets have a height of 1-25 cm, a length of all magnets is 20-200 cm, wherein magnets are provided above or below the bottom of the vehicle, preferably below the bottom, wherein a total volume of magnets is 0.1*10.sup.−3-100*10.sup.−3 m.sup.3, wherein a magnetic moment is 0.1-2000 Am.sup.2, wherein coils provide an acceleration of 0.01-10 m/sec.sup.2, and wherein guides provide a deceleration of 1-20 m/sec.sup.2.

8. The method according to claim 1, wherein the vehicle module comprises an array of i∈[1,p]*j∈[1,o] magnets, wherein at least one series of j∈[1,o] magnets comprises a spatially rotating pattern of magnetisation, and wherein a magnet has a volumetric susceptibility of 10.sup.3−10.sup.6.

9. The method according to claim 1, wherein the controller is adapted to control hovering and propagation of the vehicle module.

10. The method according to claim 1, wherein a multitude of vehicle modules is transferred.

11. The method according to claim 1, wherein the infrastructure is partly or fully incorporated in an existing infrastructure, wherein at least one track, each individually, is covered by a protecting layer.

12. The method according to claim 1, wherein the infrastructure comprises physical and controllable guiders comprising a rail, and guidance coils, wherein guidance coils may be oriented accordingly.

13. The method according to claim 1, wherein the vehicle module is a monocoque, and wherein a drag coefficient of the vehicle C.sub.D<0.3, and wherein the vertical magnetic field is applied to the centre of mass of the magnetic base, and wherein the horizontal magnetic field is applied to the same centre of mass, and wherein a vehicle module impact on collision is minimized.

14. The method according to claim 1, wherein at a junction of tracks at least one rotatable coil is provided, wherein rotation along a vertical axis is provided, and wherein tracks at a junction are split, and wherein at a junction intersect no guiders are provided.

15. An infrastructure for a method according to claim 1, comprising at least one individual track, wherein each track comprises at least one series of coils, wherein series of coils extend in the direction of the width of the track, wherein each series of coils is adapted to provide a levitational magnetic force and a horizontal magnetic force, wherein the horizontal magnetic force is directed along the length direction of the track, wherein coils are placed at a distance from one another, at least one switch per series of coils, wherein each coil individually can be energized by an electrical current and de-energized, wherein on at least one side of the track guiders are provided, wherein a guider comprises at least one section, wherein each individual section of the guider can be energized, wherein a guider is adapted to control motion of the vehicle module, a controller for energizing individual coils, an electrical power supply for providing an electrical current.

16. The infrastructure according to claim 15, further comprising at least one infrastructural element as mentioned in claims 2.

17. The infrastructure according to claims 15, comprising a hollow tube-like structure under the road, wherein a surface of the tube-like structure comprises a polymeric material, wherein in the tube-like structure coil receiving elements are provided.

18. A vehicle module for a method according to claim 1, wherein said vehicle module comprises an array of permanent magnets, at least one seat, and an identifier.

19. The vehicle module according to claim 18, further comprising at least one vehicle element as mentioned in claims 2.

20. (canceled)

Description

SUMMARY OF FIGURES

[0073] FIGS. 1a,b, 2-4, 5a-c, and 6-8 show details of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES

[0074] FIG. 1: A raw sketch of NIfTI. The left panel la shows the vehicle 20 at rest comprising magnets 21 in a bottom side 22 thereof, levitating above its track 11 with coils 12. The right panel 1b shows the vehicle moving to the left, with a general sketch of the propulsion system. A rack 18 is provided for receiving the coils in a tilted position. FIG. 2: A sketch of the cross section of the pod 20. In the middle is the table 25, on the sides there are two passengers. For clarity of the sketch, persons 2 and 4 are not included. In the picture, M is the centre of mass of the magnet, T is the centre of mass of the table, P is the net centre of mass of the people, C is the net centre of mass of the chairs and S is the centre of mass of the pod itself. The

[0075] point z=0 is at the top of the coils, h.sub.f below the middle of the magnet. A typical mass of a vehicle, including four passengers is calculated to be some 500-600 kg. Seats 23, bottom 22, and identifier 24 are also indicated.

[0076] FIG. 4 shows an enlargement of a part of the magnet array 21 provided in the vehicle module, with a spatially rotating pattern of magnetization, wherein rotation is over 90°.

[0077] FIG. 4: A sketch of the vehicle 20 with a base of magnetic strips instead of an entire magnet. This view can be seen as a front of behind view on the pod, since the strips are in the direction of motion.

[0078] FIGS. 5a-b show a part of track 11 with series of coils 12 provided underneath the track. FIG. 5c further shows conducting plate 14, and permanent magnets 15 provided in the track.

[0079] FIG. 6 shows an artist impression of the present vehicle module 20 moving over track 11, with guiders 13 provided at sides thereof, which guiders are sub-divided in sections 13a.

[0080] FIG. 7 shows an artist impression of the present track 11, projected over a bicycle lane, with hollow tube 17 and protective layer 16.

[0081] FIG. 8 shows an array of coils.

[0082] The figures are further detailed in the description.

EXAMPLES/EXPERIMENTS

[0083] The invention although described in detailed explanatory context may be best understood in conjunction with the accompanying examples of present small-scale prototypes and figures as detailed above.

[0084] In simulating a track with an array of eight rows of eight coils, for non-tilted and tilted (30°) variants, it is found that contributions of the neighbouring coils in the array tend to “dampen” the intensities of the fields in the middle of the array. Stronger edge effects are observed, which give the higher contributions to the lift and x -propulsion forces. Switching a single coil row at a time results in higher field contributions due to edge effects, when compared to a fully-powered coil array, along with a lower overall power consumption. Then, in order to pulse each coil as the pod travels above the coil track, a switching mechanism is developed.

[0085] For s small scale pod eight Halbach arrays of 12×1 with 3 mm×3 mm×3 mm NdFeB cube magnets is used. In addition an array of 41 NdFeB cube magnets of 4 mm×4 mm×4 mm was used, wherein magnets in odd rows were rotated 45°. For the road track an assembly of multiple coil arrays had to be made. Thereto a winding machine was used. The ferromagnets assembled were made of 120 wire turns, arranged in two layers, with 60 turns per layer. The number of coils per layer is kept as precise as possible by using the turn counter in the winding machine. Then the polarity of the coils has been determined. For a test current of 530 mA a levitation height of the order of few mm is observed. This shows that overcoming of gravitational forces by means of magnetic repulsion is thus possible.

[0086] In a further stage a 3-D printed type-B washboard (FIG. 8) was used with 16 coil arrays, consisting of 8 coils per array. In order to achieve controllable motion of the pod along the horizontal x-axis, and to limit the intrinsic magnetic field instability effects, a glider frame is used. The glider frame has a binary height of 6 mm. This height is found to limit friction between binary and pod, while at the same time ensuring that the travelling pod does not deviate from the binary track. The switching profile mechanism employed for the NIFTI assembly is based on an Arduino 2×8 Relay Board, which is controlled by an Arduino Motherboard. Once a switching program is loaded into the Motherboard, time-switching commands are given to the relays through pin connections. Further a voltage generator combo is connected to a common ground terminal and to high-voltage terminals of the prototype. The high-voltage common terminal connects the power generator combo to each of the 16 Relays high current circuit inputs. The state of the relay, which can be in either of these deactivated/activated configurations is determined by the switching time profile inputs, sent through connection pins by the Arduino Motherboard: when the relay system is not turned on the activated configuration there is no current flowing through the relay high current circuit output. The output terminal for each relay is connected to the positive ends of each coil array. Current is then ready to be pulsed by the switching mechanism through the coil array assembly at specific times, transmitted to the relay hardware through the motherboard.

[0087] For simulating currents of 0.5-10 A were used, giving an acceleration of 0.86-5.78 m/s.sup.2, and a levitation of 7.3-23.2 mm, with a voltage of 72V. For switching of the coils an acceleration of 5.5 m/s.sup.2 was used. The coils were tilted at 30°. A simulated switching time during which each coil array, or part thereof, is provided with a supplied current was 50 ms, whereas an experimental value was 100 ms. A time interval, allowing the pod to travel from a first row of coils to a next row of coils was used to determine a switching sequence of subsequent rows of coils.

[0088] Returning to a full-scale infrastructure, some exemplary qualifications and quantifications are given below.

[0089] 1. The mass of the entire vehicle with passengers is about 600 kg, and without passengers it is about 300 kg. This is much less mass than an electric car. The transport module optimally has the form of a flattened sphere or of an ellipsoid.

[0090] 2. The magnet is a square plate magnet with height 0.05 m and sides 0.8 m. The mass of the magnet is 160 kg. For the purposes of calculating the magnetic force necessary for levitation, only the centre of mass of the magnet array is required.

[0091] 3. With these parameters, the necessary current turns out to be between 10 A and 30 A. This is the most important parameter for determining the total energy consumption. 4. The diameter of the coils is 10 cm, their height is 25 cm and they have 125 windings. The wire is made of copper with resistivity ρ=2.10.sup.−6 Ωm and diameter of 2 mm. There are a total of 10 coils in each series.

[0092] 5. The effective magnetization of the magnet is μ.sub.0M=2 T.

[0093] 6. The density is ρ=5000 kg/m.sup.3.

[0094] To compare NIfTI with an electric car, motion along a track of 10km is discussed. An electric car uses about 34 kWh per 100 miles, which is about 7.606.Math.10.sup.6 J per 10 km. It is assumed that the entirety of the 10km track contains rows of coils. There are then 10.sup.4/d rows of coils. I=20 A, N=125, ρ=2.10.sup.−8 Ωm and d=0.1 m. The typical diameter of a copper wire is r=1 mm. It remains to determine Δt. Assuming the pod moves at a velocity of 16 m/s results in Δt=0.06 s. When part of the track is void of coils, such as 20-60% thereof, and small permanent magnets are inserted into the cores of all or some of the coils, an according reduction of energy use is obtained (factor of 1.5-5, such as 2). An energy consumption would then be about 20-50% of that of an electric car. In addition, costs of operation, including maintenance, depreciation, and so one, are a factor lower as well; in an estimate a factor 3 lower.

[0095] In conclusion the present system of human transport is a self-driving module which is propelled by a system of coils interacting with an on-board magnet. The vehicle can run on 10-30 A and can reach the usual velocities of a car. Furthermore, it possesses some major benefits with respect to either traditional cars or electric cars. It uses

[0096] about 20-50% of the energy of an electric car and costs about 30% of the amount of money that goes into an electric car. Furthermore, it provides environmental and ethical benefits with respect to the traditional ways of human transport.