A FEASIBILITY STUDY OF THE CRYOPUMPED TUBE TRAIN CONCEPT

The thermodynamic and gasdynamic characteristics of a saturated vapor in a tube enclosing a high speed train have been analyzed to assess the aerodynamic resistance to motion and possible means of propulsion using the same vapor. It is found that the piston action of the train causes condensation of the vapor ahead of and re-evaporation behind the train, these mechanisms thus providing the equivalent of by-passing the atmosphere in the tube around the train without any significant gap between the train and the tube. The term Cryopumped Tube Train is applied to the concept, since it is the heat sink capacity of the earth which effects the pumping of the vapor in the tube by condensation. The results of the analysis indicate that the total aerodynamic resistance to motion of a train at speeds around 400 mph in a close-fitting subterranean tube, evacuated free of air but filled with saturated water vapor at 13 mm pressure, is about two orders of magnitude below the resistance of a conventional flanged wheel-rail suspension system. Use of the same vapor for cruise mode jet propulsion is found to be feasible, though with very low efficiency. An effective and economical acceleration system to bring a train rapidly to cruising speed by means of low pressure steam catapult is found to be feasible and compatible with the cryopumped tube concept. These theoretical results have yet to be verified experimentally. (Author)

• Corporate Authors:

  Celestial Research Corporation

  South Pasadena, CA  United States 
• Authors:
  • Chuan, R L
  • Rogers, K W
  • Wilbur, P C
  • Choudhury, P R
  • Peterson, N V
• Publication Date: 1966-10-11

Media Info

• Pagination: 136 p.

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Aerodynamics; Intelligent transportation systems; Pneumatic conveyors; Propulsion; Tubing; Vehicle power plants
• Uncontrolled Terms: Propulsion systems
• Old TRIS Terms: Advanced systems; Tube systems; Tube vehicles
• Subject Areas: Operations and Traffic Management; Railroads; Vehicles and Equipment;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00039024
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: National Technical Information Service
• Report/Paper Numbers: Celesco-388-101
• Contract Numbers: C279-66t
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Nov 24 1973 12:00AM