Method of using air and helium in low-pressure tube transportation systems
US10286928B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 29, 2018 |
| Grant date | May 14, 2019 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 29, 2038 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB65G51/08
- WIPO fieldHandling
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A method is described for maintaining a gaseous composition within a tube (that is part of tubular transportation system for transporting passengers or cargos via a capsule), where the tube is arranged along a predetermined route. The method comprises: (a) pumping the tube to a pressure that is below atmospheric pressure until the tube is substantially evacuated; (b) identifying a predetermined power value; (c) identifying a first percentage, x, of helium based on the predetermined power value identified in (b) and a leak rate associated with the tube; (d) maintaining, within each tube in the plurality of substantially evacuated tubes, a gaseous composition a gaseous composition comprising a mixture of a first percentage, x, of helium and a second percentage, (100−x), of air.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.