PROJECT TUBEFLIGHT. PHASE I. FEASIBILITY STUDY

Project Tubeflight is a study of a transportation mode in which aerodynamically supported and propelled vehicles travel at high speed in non-evacuated tubes. The feasibility of a mode of propulsion is studied in which thrust is generated by a continuous transfer of air in the tube from immediately in front of the vehicle to its rear. The use of bladeless fans as thrust generators for propulsion is examined. A study is made of the feasibility of powering the vehicle by high frequency electrical energy. The problems of radiating, propagating through the tube, receiving and rectifying this energy are covered. The inherent stability of a vehicle supported by a ram wing or a jet-flapped wing operating in close proximity to the tube wall is studied. A theoretical analysis of augmented stability and control is made, particularly in relation to the vehicle's roll. A small scale test facility was constructed consisting of an instrumented 12 inch diameter tube 2000 feet long. (Author)

• Supplemental Notes:
  • High speed ground transportation project.
• Corporate Authors:

  Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute

  110 Eighth Street
  Troy, NY  United States  12180
• Publication Date: 1966-9

Media Info

• Pagination: 194 p.

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Aerodynamics; Intelligent transportation systems; Pneumatic conveyors; Tubing
• Old TRIS Terms: Advanced systems; Tube systems; Tube vehicles
• Subject Areas: Operations and Traffic Management; Railroads;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00039005
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: National Technical Information Service
• Report/Paper Numbers: Final Rpt
• Contract Numbers: C-117-66
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Nov 24 2002 12:00AM