Clean Energy Integrated Transportation System Using A Hydro System

Abstract

A system for transporting one or more items is provided. The system includes: a transportation tube disposed at least partially underground or at least partially above ground; a transportation pod to secure items therein for transport; a transportation actuator to propel the transportation pod through the transportation tube, the transportation actuator including one or more pumps coupled to the transportation tube and configured to pressurize a fluid medium through the transportation tube such that the pressurized fluid medium propels the transportation pod through the transportation tube; a first access point located proximate a first end of the transportation tube; and a second access point located proximate a second end of the transportation tube. Each of the first and second access points includes an opening configured to allow the transportation pod to be received into or removed from the transportation tube.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A system for transporting one or more items between a first location and a second location, the system comprising:
 a transportation tube disposed at least partially underground or at least partially above ground;   a transportation pod configured to secure items therein for transport;   a transportation actuator configured to propel the transportation pod through the transportation tube, wherein the transportation actuator comprises one or more pumps coupled to the transportation tube and configured to pressurize a fluid medium through the transportation tube such that the pressurized fluid medium propels the transportation pod through the transportation tube;   a first access point located proximate a first end of the transportation tube, wherein the first access point comprises a first opening configured to allow the transportation pod to be received into or removed from the transportation tube; and   a second access point located proximate a second end of the transportation tube, wherein the second access point comprises a second opening configured to allow the transportation pod to be received into or removed from the transportation tube.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the fluid medium comprises filtered water, unfiltered water, storm water, a gel, or a combination thereof. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the fluid medium being pumped through the transportation tube is also an item being transported from the first location to the second location. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 3 , wherein the first access point is located at a region prone to excess rainfall and the second access point is located at a region prone to drought. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising multiple pumping stations disposed along the length of the transportation tube, each pumping station having one or more pumps. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising sensors and control/monitoring equipment for monitoring pressure and/or fluid composition of the fluid medium flowing through the transportation tube. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the transportation pod comprises:
 one or more access points for receiving the items for transport; and   one or more fluid tight seals formed at the access points to prevent ingress of the fluid medium into the transportation pod.   
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein one or both of the first opening and the second opening comprises a gate configured to be selectively closed to create a fluid tight seal between the transportation tube and the corresponding access point. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a drying station located proximate the second end of the transportation tube. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein the drying station comprises a portion of the transportation tube in which the fluid medium is diverted or drained from the transportation tube. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein the drying station comprises one or more fans configured to dry an outside of the transportation pod. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the transportation actuator is capable of propelling the transportation pod through the transportation tube at a speed of 50-250 mph. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the transportation pod comprises wings that may be operated as propellers for underwater movement of the transportation pod. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the transportation actuator is coupled to one or more power generation systems using wind energy, solar energy, natural gas hydrogen, and/or hydro-power to provide energy for operating the transportation actuator. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a second transportation tube extending between the first access point and the second access point; and   a third transportation tube extending between the first access point and the second access point.   
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising at least one additional transportation actuator configured to propel the transportation pod through the transportation tube if the one or more pumps malfunction, the at least one additional transportation actuator comprising: a motorized cable, a track, a pad, a pneumatic actuator, one or more electromagnets, an on-board motor of the transportation pod, or a combination thereof. 
     
     
         17 . A system for transporting one or more items, the system comprising:
 a first transportation tube disposed between a first location and a second location;   a second transportation tube disposed between the second location and a third location;   wherein the first transportation tube comprises a first transportation actuator configured to propel a transportation pod containing items through the first transportation tube between the first location and the second location;   wherein the second transportation tube comprises a second transportation actuator configured to propel a transportation pod holding items through the second transportation tube between the second location and the third location;   a first access point at the first location, the first access point comprising a first opening configured to allow a transportation pod to be received into or removed from the first transportation tube;   a second access point at the second location, the second access point comprising a second opening configured to allow a transportation pod to be received into or removed from the first transportation tube, the second transportation tube, or both; and   a third access point at the third location, the third access point comprising a third opening configured to allow a transportation pod to be received into or removed from the second transportation tube,   wherein at least one of the first transportation actuator and the second transportation actuator comprises one or more pumps coupled to the corresponding transportation tube and configured to pressurize a fluid medium through the transportation tube such that the pressurized fluid medium propels the transportation pod through the transportation tube.   
     
     
         18 . A method, comprising:
 receiving a transportation pod having one or more items secured therein into a transportation tube via a first opening at a first access point located proximate a first end of the transportation tube;   propelling the transportation pod with the items secured therein through the transportation tube via a transportation actuator, wherein the transportation actuator comprises one or more pumps coupled to the transportation tube and configured to pressurize a fluid medium through the transportation tube such that the pressurized fluid medium propels the transportation pod through the transportation tube; and   allowing the transportation pod to be retrieved from the transportation tube via a second opening at a second access point located proximate a second end of the transportation tube.   
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the fluid medium being pumped through the transportation tube is being transported from a first location proximate the first access point to a second location proximate the second access point, the method further comprising:
 outputting the fluid medium from the transportation tube at the second access point.   
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 18 , further comprising drying the transportation pod at a drying station located proximate the second end of the transportation tube.