The practicality of a plenum-type air cushion suspension for evacuated tube system (TVS) vehicles is examined from the standpoint of ideal air cushion/vehicle characteristics (power, mass flow, self-support velocity, cushion temperature), the compressor design, and the compressor efficiency under low pressure operating conditions. For a representative 100,000 lb TVS vehicle, an air cushion suspension is shown to be practical from all standpoints, providing tube pressure is no less than .015 atm, and the cushion gap is of the order of .01 ft. The method of analysis is presented graphically in a manner readily permitting analysis of other TVS configurations. (Author)
Air Cushion Support for Evacuated Tube System Vehicles
1971
30 pages
Report
No indication
English