Guideway transportation system with integrated magnetic levitation suspension, stabilization and propulsion functions

Abstract

A networked guideway transit system uses permanent magnet repulsion with induction-based repulsion within the networked guideway transport system, which can levitate passively with motion. Magnetic levitation technology is used to replace wheels as the primary means of vehicle suspension. The networked guideway transit system uses the permanent magnets to provide primary lift and uses electrodynamic repulsion to create centering forces at most operational speeds while integrating linear motor functions with the electrodynamic centering function. Further, the networked guideway transit system uses no moving parts in the guideways, which enhances reliability in the guideways.

1 - 9 . (canceled) 
   
   
       10 . A guideway structure of a networked guideway transit system, comprising:
 a guideway structure beam; and   a plurality of modular guideway blocks loaded into the guideway structure beam,   wherein each modular guideway block further comprises:
 a first permanent magnet component comprising permanent magnets arranged in a linear array on a wall of the modular guideway block, the first permanent magnet component providing lifting and vertical clamping forces; 
 a second permanent magnet component for providing propulsion forces; and 
 a first electrodynamic repulsion component including propulsion coils, the first electrodynamic repulsion component for maintaining an alignment of bogie lifting magnets. 
   
   
   
       11 . The guideway structure of  claim 10 , wherein magnets in the first permanent magnet component are arranged in homopolar linear arrays. 
   
   
       12 . The guideway structure of  claim 10 , wherein the size of the permanent magnets is determined based on a track location on the guideways. 
   
   
       13 . The guideway structure of  claim 10 , wherein the second permanent magnet component is replaced by a second electrodynamic repulsion component including a stack of planar conductive elements. 
   
   
       14 . The guideway structure of  claim 13 , wherein the second electrodynamic repulsion component is located on a lower part of the wall of the modular guideway block while the first electrodynamic repulsion component is located on an upper part of the wall of the modular guideway block. 
   
   
       15 - 26 . (canceled)