A HYBRID PROPULSION SYSTEM FOR CONTAINER TUBE TRANSPORT

An economical and technically feasible method for the transport of containerized cargo by means of an evacuated tubular system using hybrid propulsion drives is presented. A brief history is given of one of the propulsion drives, that of pneumatic thrust. The second drive component, that of electric motors, is discussed in the portion that describes the general operation of the hybrid propulsion evacuated tube system. The system utilizes the pneumatic thrust for the acceleration of the train to a selected cruising velocity, whereupon the electric motors take over to maintain the cruising velocity throughout the main guideway section of the route to the train's destination. An illustrative example of a specific train operation is developed that considers the tube dimensions, degrees of evacuation, train weight, acceleration phase and cruising speed. In conclusion, approximate costs for the system are estimated and extended mobility of the container-vehicle train units beyond the tubular terminals is mentioned.

• Corporate Authors:

  International Society for Terrain-Vehicle Systems

  Box 4824, Duke Station
  Durham, NC  United States  27706
• Authors:
  • Murray, J J
• Publication Date: 1972-10

Media Info

• Pagination: p. 415-431
• Serial:
  • High Speed Ground Transportation Journal
  • Volume: 6
  • Issue Number: 3

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Economics; Freight transportation; Intelligent transportation systems; Propulsion; Vehicle power plants
• Uncontrolled Terms: Propulsion systems
• Old TRIS Terms: Advanced systems; Cargo transportation
• Subject Areas: Economics; Freight Transportation; Operations and Traffic Management; Railroads; Vehicles and Equipment;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00046084
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: British Railways
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Jul 31 1974 12:00AM