Magnetic Levitation of Vehicles

Abstract

Magnetic levitation can be used for transportation purposes. In various embodiments, the vehicle utilizing magnetic levitation can be enclosed within a tube or a tunnel or outside of an enclosed environment. Various cross-sections of vehicles and tubes can be utilized. In various embodiments, the vehicles can be used for personal or mass transportation use. The vehicle can travel in at least two directions with a window at each end of the vehicle.

1 . A device for transportation comprising
 one or more vehicles capable of use for transportation in a tube or over a substrate;   one or more speed controllers coupled to the one or more vehicles;   an electric power source that supplies the electric current to the one or more vehicles via the one or more speed controllers; and   a travelling surface;   
       wherein the one or more vehicles are capable of moving in at least two directions. 
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the one or more vehicles capable of use for transportation in a tube or over any conductive substrate comprise
 at least one hover engine, each hover engine having an electric motor comprising
 a winding, 
 a first set of magnets and a first structure which holds the first set of magnets wherein an electric current is applied to the winding to cause one of the winding or the first set of magnets to rotate; wherein the first set of magnets are permanent magnets, electromagnets, or a combination of permanent magnets and electromagnets; 
 a second structure, configured to receive a rotational torque from the electric motor to rotate the second structure, the second structure holding a second set of magnets wherein the second set of magnets are rotated to induce eddy currents in a substrate such that the induced eddy currents and the second set of magnets interact to generate forces which cause the vehicle to hover above and/or translate from location to location along the substrate; wherein the second set of magnets are permanent magnets, electromagnets, or a combination of permanent magnets and electromagnets; 
 
 wherein the one or more speed controllers are coupled to the at least one hover engine; and 
 wherein the electric power source supplies the electric current to the at least one hover engine via the one or more speed controllers. 
 
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the cross-section of the vehicle is a different shape than the cross-section of the tube. 
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the cross-section of the vehicle is a shape that is the same as the cross-section of the tube. 
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the vehicle is capable of moving in at least four directions. 
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the vehicle is controlled by an individual inside of the vehicle. 
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the vehicle is controlled by an external entity. 
     
     
         8 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the device transports at least one selected from the group consisting of people and cargo. 
     
     
         9 . A system of transportation comprising
 a device for transportation comprising
 one or more vehicles capable of use for transportation in a tube or over a substrate; 
 one or more speed controllers coupled to theone or more vehicles; 
 an electric power source that supplies the electric current to the one or more vehicles via the one or more speed controllers; and 
 a travelling surface; 
   wherein the one or more vehicles are capable of moving in at least two directions; and   a network of interconnected traveling surfaces.   
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 9  wherein the one or more vehicles capable of use for transportation in a tube or over any conductive substrate comprise
 at least one hover engine, each hover engine having an electric motor comprising
 a winding, 
 a first set of magnets and a first structure which holds the first set of magnets wherein an electric current is applied to the winding to cause one of the winding or the first set of magnets to rotate; wherein the first set of magnets are permanent magnets, electromagnets, or a combination of permanent magnets and electromagnets; 
 a second structure, configured to receive a rotational torque from the electric motor to rotate the second structure, the second structure holding a second set of magnets wherein the second set of magnets are rotated to induce eddy currents in a substrate such that the induced eddy currents and the second set of magnets interact to generate forces which cause the vehicle to hover above and/or translate from location to location along the substrate; wherein the second set of magnets are permanent magnets, electromagnets, or a combination of permanent magnets and electromagnets; 
 
 wherein the one or more speed controllers are coupled to the at least one hover engine; and 
 wherein the electric power source supplies the electric current to the at least one hover engine via the one or more speed controllers. 
 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 9  wherein the interconnected traveling surfaces comprise at least one selected from the group consisting of conduit, tube, tunnel, and rail. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 9  wherein the interconnected traveling surfaces are tubes or any conductive substrate. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 9  wherein the cross-section of the one or more vehicles is a different shape than the cross-section of the tube. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 9  wherein the cross-section of the one or more vehicles is a shape that is the same as the cross-section of the tube. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 9  wherein the one or more vehicles carry at least one selected from the group consisting of individuals and cargo. 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 9  wherein the one or more vehicles travel in a tube. 
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 16  wherein the tube has been pressurized. 
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 9  wherein a route of the vehicle can be changed dynamically. 
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 9  wherein the vehicle can be used with at least one selected from the group consisting of wheels, skids, standoffs, lifts, struts, superconductivity, or other means of static or dynamic support, tracking, propulsion, levitation, guidance, and influence. 
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 9  wherein at least one selected from the group consisting of suspension struts, levitation, rolling, track, or suspension components extend from the vehicle in a manner that reduces aerodynamic obstruction within the tube.