Altitude control along segmented track

Abstract

Method for controlling altitude of a vehicle moving along a segmented track. The method including receiving, at a controller, data generated by one or more sensors and determining, at the controller, an altitude of the vehicle relative to the segmented track. The method then receives, at the controller, data relating to the length of a track segment between two or more supports and the weight of the vehicle and determining, at the controller, a speed of the vehicle relative to the length of the track segment. The method also calculating, at the controller, the deflection of the segmented track between two supports based on the length of the track segment, the weight of the vehicle, and the speed of the vehicle. The controller adjusts the altitude of the vehicle relative to the segmented track by an offset equivalent to the deflection of the segmented track thereby maintaining a constant altitude.

1 . (canceled) 
     
     
         2 . A method controlling altitude of a vehicle moving along a segmented track, the method comprising:
 determining, at a controller, an altitude of the vehicle relative to a length of the segmented track;   receiving, at the controller, data relating to a weight of the vehicle;   determining, at the controller, a speed of the vehicle relative to the length of the segmented track; and   calculating, at the controller, the deflection of the length of the segmented track between two supports based on the length, the weight of the vehicle, and the speed of the vehicle,   wherein the controller adjusts the altitude of the vehicle relative to the length of the segmented track by an offset equivalent to the deflection of the length of the segmented track thereby maintaining a constant altitude of the vehicle relative to a travel plane.   
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the deflection of the segmented track is calculated using a static finite element analysis (FEA) model. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 2 , further comprising calculating the offset by subtracting the deflection from the altitude. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the altitude of the vehicle relative to the segmented track is adjusted by changing the angle of a levitation generator configured to generate lift as it passes within the segmented track. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the altitude of the vehicle relative to the segmented track is adjusted by changing the speed of the vehicle, thereby altering the levitation generated. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein increasing the speed of the vehicle increases a levitation force generated by the levitation generator and decreasing the speed of the vehicle decreases the levitation force. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the vehicle includes a levitation generator having one or more altitude sensors disposed thereon and the levitation generator configured to be received within the segmented track. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the one or more altitude sensors are ultrasonic sensors configured to interact with the segmented track. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the one or more altitude sensors are laser sensors configured to interact with the segmented track. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the data received includes the distance of two or more track segments. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein data relating to the distance between supports further comprises scanning an RFID tag disposed in each support. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein data relating to the distance between two or more poles further comprises scanning a barcode disposed on each pole. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein data relating to the distance between two or more poles further comprises getting position from GPS and looking up the distance stored in a database. 
     
     
         15 . An altitude control system comprising:
 a vehicle having a controller, the controller having a processor configured to store instructions that when executed cause the processor to:
 determine an altitude of the vehicle relative to a length of the segmented track; 
 receive data relating to a weight of the vehicle; 
 determine a speed of the vehicle relative to the length of the segmented track; 
 calculate the deflection of the length of the segmented track between two supports based on the length, the weight of the vehicle, and the speed of the vehicle; 
 adjust the altitude of the vehicle relative to the length of the segmented track by an offset equivalent to the deflection of the length of segmented track thereby maintaining a constant altitude of the vehicle relative to a travel plane.