VacTranS™

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10 Facts you need to know about VacTranS

THE VACTRANS …
… is not a Hyperloop, it is a VacTrans
… is the fastest conceivable terrestrial transportation system
… has been developed by our core team for more than 25 years
… operates under high vacuum, not in thin air
… has no aerodynamic speed limit unlike the HyperLoop
… has an ingenious safety concept and strong tubes
… can be built for 25% of the costs of classical trains or the Hyperloop
… capsules are weight optimized, safe and comfortable
… can operate on land, under mountains and under water
… has a zero-energy balance

Publication Number

WO/2022/090212

Publication Date

05.05.2022

International Application No.

PCT/EP2021/079655

International Filing Date

26.10.2021

IPC

26.10.2021

CPC

  • B61B 13/10
  • B61B 13/122
  • Y02T 30/00

Applicants

RUDOLF, Alexander [DE]/[CH]

Inventors

  • RUDOLF, Alexander
  • RUDOLF, Alain-Daniel

Agents

HARTZ, Nikolai F. niel

Priority Data

120420159 26.10.2020 SA

Publication Language

English (en)

Filing Language

English (en)

Designated States

US, EU, JP, CA, SA, IN

Latest bibliographic data on file with the International Bureau

Despite such a long history, distinct technical approaches, and significant efforts, it is not known that a high-speed tube transportation system has been realized. A major obstacle appears to be the aerodynamics and the economic viability.
 
So far, the common understanding is that the vehicle speed cannot exceed the “Kantrowitz Limit” (this term is used to refer to the first occurrence of choking) and that reducing the pressure level below 100 Pa is economically not viable. Also the large tube diameters of the Hyperloop concepts result in high costs.
 
The method central for this invention (the VacTranS) is suitable and required to overcome these limitations. The VacTranS suggests to reduce the pressure level to the so-called high-vacuum. Hence, a vehicle in an enclosed tunnel system moves with no aerodynamic resistance, i.e. when the Knudsen number exceeds unity.
 
While it is agreed that reducing and maintaining a high-vacuum is challenging, the aerodynamic problems of high-speed transportation in a partially evacuated tube is generally problematic, especially at higher pressure levels. It appears that these problems have so far impeded the realization of such a system, even is the pressure level is reduced as low as 100 Pa or if air is replaced with hydrogen or helium.
 
In an attempt to reduce the far field aerodynamics, Rudolf (thesis 1806, EPFL, Switzerland, 1998) suggested the use of a turbine to push the air through the vehicle rather than having it flow around it and creating pressure waves. This idea has been reiterated in the white paper of Elon Musk from 2012 and in US 9,511 ,959 from 2016.
 
If compared to other inventions in this field, the VacTranS swaps the challenge of defying the aerodynamic under cruising conditions with the challenge to create and maintain a high vacuum efficiently.
 
In return, the method rewards with the following advantages:
. no aerodynamic effects during cruising,
. reduced and well predictable loads on the tube system
. smaller tunnel diameter
. increased stability of the system
. symmetrical arrangement of the linear induction motor
. reduced number of vacuum pumps and seals (or none at all)
. no aerodynamic speed limit
. smaller propulsion power and net zero energy consumption
. reduced travel times and
. smaller vehicles.
 
Moreover, emergency exits and stations are possible with no leakages and short evacuation or exchange times.

Evolution of High Speed Transport

Intercity Express

100 m/s

Transrapid

150 m/s

Hyperloop

200-1000 m/s

Vactrans

1000-2000 m/s

Main Features

Vehicles

While light, VacTranS vehicles are safe, compact and comfortable with VR for distraction.

Exits

Emergency exit possible at all locations with no leakages during normal operation.

Barrel

Revolving Barrel principle for stations safe and fast exchange of passengers with minimal leakages.

Safety

Safety is our top priority using the paramount safety concept with real time surveillance, safety vehicle, alignment and vibration sensors.

Speed

VacTranS can reach 1-2 km/s = 3600-7200 km/h.

A TUBE TRANSPORT SYSTEM FOR VERY HIGH VEHICLE SPEEDS AND A METHOD OF OPERATING A TUBE TRANSPORT SYSTEM

A method of operating a tube transport system, the tube transport system comprising (a) tube assembly comprising (a-1) an outer tube (1); (a-2) one or more inner tubes (2) received and held in the outer tube so that annular spaces (3) are formed between adjacent tubes; and (a-3) a support structure (4) for holding the outer tube; the tube assembly having an inner wall surface defining an inner space (5) for receiving and guiding a vehicle (6) along a path extending from a first end (7) to an opposite second end (8) of the tube assembly, the tube assembly having one or more pressure valves or nozzles (9) for releasing gas particles from the inner space (5); (b) a vehicle having an outer wall surface (10) defining an annular gap (11) between the outer wall surface of the vehicle (10) and the inner wall (12) of the tube assembly; the method comprising (i) moving the vehicle along the path toward the first end (7) at a velocity above the choking limit of the flow of the gas particles in the annular gap (11), while releasing gas particles from the inner space (5) of the tube assembly in front of the vehicle; followed by (ii) reversing the direction of motion and moving the vehicle along the path toward the second end (8) at a velocity above the choking limit of the flow of the gas particles (29) in the annular gap (11) while releasing gas particles from the inner space of the tube assembly in front of the vehicle.

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