System and method for high-speed suspended transportation

Abstract

A ground-based transportation system with a vehicle moves along a unison suspended track-based guideway. The ground-based transportation system includes a compounded propulsion-levitation system including a contactless propulsion system, wherein the contactless propulsion system includes a set of linear induction machines, a levitation and self-guidance system, and an electrodynamic levitation system. The electrodynamic levitation system includes passive and active elements complementing the contactless propulsion system, wherein the suspended track-based guideway includes a passive reaction plate and a magnetic flux, wherein the vehicle is activated in accordance with an operation mode.

Description

SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR HIGH-SPEED SUSPENDED TRANSPORTATIONCROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 539,637, filed September 21, 2023, and titled “SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR HIGH SPEED SUSPENDED TRANSPORTATION”, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION1. Field of the invention.

[0002] The present disclosure relates generally to ground-based high speed transportation systems and methods related to the same. In particular, but not by way of limitation, the present disclosure relates to systems, methods and apparatuses employing suspended and guided variable speed levitated transportation.2. Description of related and previous art.

[0003] Suspended transportation systems often refer to a collection of systems where the vehicles for transportation of passengers or freight are suspended from a guideway affixed above the vehicle. These systems often include an elevated fixed guideway which is built aloft ground and ground structures, where the vehicle cars can hang from and displace on such guideways.

[0004] In current systems, attainable speeds and capacity have been limited by the configuration of the trackway and mating drivetrain designs thus restricting the capacity of the systems, reaching practical limitations and feasibility for transportation at different speed ranges and in particular at very high speeds. These systems have been limited to corridors where short distances between service stops and low coasting speeds are sufficient.

[0005] Furthermore, applications of electromagnetic and electrodynamic levitated systems have been proposed to include ferromagnetic materials on the track elements, patterned track elements and electronic feedback control devices with limited applications at very high speeds.

[0006] Among the key differences to previously proposed systems, as for example in U.S. Patent Nos. 7,380,508 and 5,732,636 and references within, there is a need for an efficient operation of levitated vehicles independent of the speed, using passive track elements, enabling the inclusion of self-guiding, self-aligning techniques that increase the reliability of the system.

[0007] This background section is intended to introduce the reader to various aspects of art that may be related to various aspects of the present disclosure, which are described and / or claimed below. This discussion is believed to be helpful in providing the reader with supporting information to facilitate a better understanding of the various aspects of the present disclosure. Accordingly, it should be understood that these statements are to be read in this light, and not as admissions of prior art.SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0008] The present disclosure relates to a guided transportation system and more specifically, to a system where vehicles for transportation of passengers or freight can move at variable speeds levitating aloft a unison suspended track-based guideway.

[0009] Specifically, the proposed system introduces a novel compounded magnetic suspension and propulsion technology, where vehicles for transportation of passengers or freight can move aloft, in a contactless mode with very reducedresistance and very low power consumption to attain such contactless displacement.

[0010] Moreover, the compounded magnetic suspension and propulsion system can be operated in this contactless mode independent of the targeted vehicle speed and using an elevated guideway featuring only passive track components and elements.

[0011] Additionally, the operation in said system is greatly simplified by the inclusion of self-guiding, self-aligning techniques that increase the reliability and efficiency of the system when operating at high speeds.

[0012] Further, the combination of electrodynamic and electromagnetic levitation systems, with said self-aligning and self-guiding techniques reduce substantially the energy requirements and control complexities necessary to operate vehicles at high speeds. In contrast to dissimilar approaches, the same propulsion system employed to propel the levitated vehicles as an electrodynamic levitation system. The electrodynamic system works in conjunction with the electromagnetic levitation system to create a compounded system that allows for efficient vehicle operation at a wide range of payloads and speeds.

[0013] Furthermore, but not by way of limitation, the suspended track can be placed inside an evacuated environment to further reduce the aerodynamic resistance when the vehicles are moving at high speeds.

[0014] In one aspect, a ground-based transportation system wherein a vehicle moves along a unison suspended track-based guideway is described. The ground- based transportation system includes a compounded propulsion-levitation system including a contactless propulsion system, wherein the contactless propulsion system includes a set of linear induction machines, a levitation and self-guidancesystem, and an electrodynamic levitation system. The electrodynamic levitation system includes passive and active elements complementing the contactless propulsion system, wherein the suspended track-based guideway includes a passive reaction plate and a magnetic flux, wherein the vehicle is activated in accordance with an operation mode.

[0015] In another aspect, a vehicle bogie including a compounded propulsionlevitation system is described. The compounded propulsion levitation system includes a contactless propulsion system, wherein the contactless propulsion system includes a set of linear induction machines, a levitation and self-guidance system, and an electrodynamic levitation system, wherein the vehicle bogie is configured to transport a passenger and / or cargo pod along a suspended trackbased guideway.

[0016] As used herein, “a”, “an”, and “the” refer to both singular and plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

[0017] As used herein, the term “about” refers to a measurable value such as a parameter, an amount, a temporal duration, and the like and is meant to include variations of + / - 15% or less, preferably variations of + / - 10% or less, more preferably variations of + / - 5% or less, even more preferably variations of + / - 1% or less, and still more preferably variations of + / - 0.1% or less of and from the particularly recited value, in so far as such variations are appropriate to perform in the one or more embodiments of the disclosure described herein. Furthermore, it is also to be understood that the value to which the modifier “about” refers is itself specifically disclosed herein.

[0018] As used herein, spatially relative terms, such as “beneath”, “below”, “lower”, “above”, “upper”, “front”, “back”, “side”, “left”, “right”, “rear”, “top”,“bottom”, and the like, are used for ease of description to describe one element or feature’s relationship to another element(s) or feature(s). It is further understood that the terms “front”, “back”, “left”, and “right” are not intended to be limiting and are intended to be interchangeable, where appropriate. Further, it should be noted that the terms “first,” “second,” and the like herein do not denote any order, quantity, or relative importance, but rather are used to distinguish one element from another.

[0019] As used herein, the terms “comprise(s)”, “comprising”, and the like, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and / or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and / or groups thereof.

[0020] As used herein, the terms “configure(s)”, “configuring”, and the like, refer to the capability of a component and / or assembly, but do not preclude the presence or addition of other capabilities, features, components, elements, operations, and any combinations thereof.

[0021] All ranges disclosed herein are inclusive of the endpoints, and the endpoints are independently combinable with each other. Each range disclosed herein constitutes a disclosure of any point or sub-range lying within the disclosed range.

[0022] All methods described herein can be performed in any suitable order unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context.The use of any and all examples, or exemplary language (e.g., “such as”), is intended merely to better illustrate the present disclosure and does not pose alimitation on the scope of the present disclosure or any embodiments unless otherwise claimed.

[0023] Any combination or permutation of features, functions and / or embodiments as disclosed herein is envisioned. Additional advantageous features, functions and applications of the disclosed systems, methods and assemblies of the present disclosure will be apparent from the description which follows, particularly when read in conjunction with the appended figures. All references listed in this disclosure are hereby incorporated by reference in their entireties.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0024] The following detailed description of embodiments of the application will be better understood when read in conjunction with the appended drawings wherein like reference numerals refer to like components. For the purposes of illustrating the system and method of the present application, there is shown in the drawings preferred embodiments. It should be understood, however, that the application is not limited to the precise arrangement, structures, features, embodiments, aspects, and systems shown, and the arrangements, structures, features, embodiments, aspects and systems shown may be used singularly or in combination with other arrangements, structures, features, embodiments, aspects and systems.

[0025] FIG. 1 shows a cross-sectional schematic representation of a track, drivetrain bogie and vehicle assembly.

[0026] FIG. 2 shows a cross-sectional schematic representation of the track components and assembly.

[0027] FIG. 3 shows a cross-sectional front view schematic representation of the elements of the vehicle bogie system and assembly.

[0028] FIG. 4 shows a cross-sectional side view of the track-vehicle elements and the vehicle bogie systems and assembly.

[0029] FIG. 5 shows a cross-sectional exemplary representation of the vehicle for the suspended elevated configuration.

[0030] FIG. 6 shows an exemplary propulsion and levitation performance curves for the compounded system, where the y-axis depicts force and the x-axis depicts speed.

[0031] FIG. 7 shows an exemplary operation state for the propulsion and each levitation system during a vehicle run, where the y-axis depicts force and the x- axis depicts speed.DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

[0032] Various embodiments of the invention are described in more detail hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings. The invention may be embodied in many forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided so this disclosure satisfies applicable requirements.

[0033] The word “exemplary” is used herein to mean “serving as an example, illustration, or instance.” Any embodiment described herein as “exemplary” is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other embodiments.

[0034] The present invention relates to a novel propulsion and levitation system for variable speed transportation systems that enables efficient point to point transportation in corridors where high demand, high capacity, adaptable speed, payload, demand and long service distances are required, hitherto impossible to realize using systems of the prior art.

[0035] Moreover, the system incorporates all the required components for the altitude control of the vehicle cars in a contactless high-speed operation mode, providing the means to prevent any capsizing upon the influence of external forces. The track design specifically reduces the possibility of a derailment in the system, thereby providing an inherently safe operation in an independent way of the attainability of high speeds.

[0036] Furthermore, the track infrastructure, but not by way of limitation, enables the operation inside an evacuated environment to further reduce the aerodynamic resistance, hereby increasing the operational efficiency at high speeds.

[0037] Vehicle cars are suspended from the track infrastructure by the use of bogies that contain all the drivetrain, contact and contact-less suspension systems, components, and elements, which together with the track infrastructure and its placement in an operational environment are objects of the present disclosure.System architecture

[0038] Certain objects of this disclosure as shown in the embodiments in FIGS. 1 to 5, largely include a track infrastructure 500, suspension systems 130, 150 and a bogie structure 320. The overall integration of the track infrastructure 500, the bogie structure 320, and the vehicle 400 is shown in the embodiment depicted in FIG. 1. The bogie structure 320 includes a drivetrain component 40 and the suspension component 130, 150.

[0039] The track infrastructure 500 is assembled, by no way of limitation, upon structural elements 200, 210 to which other components and elements may be attached. As such, the track infrastructure 500 includes a propulsion secondary 155, which may be formed by a high magnetic permeability mirror and guidewayplate 10, a high electrical conductivity reaction plate 20, and an electromagnetic suspension reaction plate 60.

[0040] The track infrastructure 500 also includes a set of structure elements 200, 210. The structural elements 200 and 210 are otherwise attached to a support structure that, by no way of limitation, may be a tubular structure 600.

[0041] Referring to FIG. 2, the propulsion mirror plate 10 and reaction plate 20 and are positioned at an angle A relative to the horizontal direction, as defined as the perpendicular direction to the mid plane along the longitudinal direction of the track infrastructure 500. The propulsion mirror plate 10 and the reaction plate 20 are collectively referred to as the propulsion secondary 155. The positioning of the propulsion mirror plate 10 and the reaction plate 20 at the angle A provides unison support for the bogie structure 320 and guidance during operation. The angle A may be adjusted to the desired operation requirements of a given route, which said angle value is represented in the figure as an example. In a nonlimiting example, the angle A may be between about 2 degrees to about 60 degrees. The placement of the propulsion mirror plate 10 and the reaction plate 20 at angle A provides, among other benefits, self-alignment and self-guidance during the vehicle 400 operation.

[0042] An electromagnetic suspension system 150 includes elements 50, 60 and 100 as presented in the embodiments in FIGs 3 and 4. The elements 50, 60, and 100 provide controlled active upward and downward forces to keep the bogie structure 320 in place, independent of the speed, as will be discussed in more detail below. The prescribed angle A for the placement of the propulsion secondary 155 is factored in the design of the electromagnetic suspension system150 as per the requirements of the production solution. Said angle A can be adjusted along the guideway for an optimal operation mode of the vehicle.

[0043] The propulsion mirror plate 10 and the reaction plate 20 represent on- track components for the propulsion secondary 155. The representation is intended to be exemplary for a propulsion secondary 155 based in a single sided linear induction machine, where 10 represents a backing secondary high magnetic permeability plate and 20 represents a high electrical conductivity reaction plate but does not hereby prescribe the use of other non-contact propulsion system or configuration. For example, linear synchronous machines, or double-sided linear induction machines, or variable reluctance linear machines.

[0044] A bogie structure 320, to which a primary propulsion element 40 and a levitation element 50, 100 are attached as represented in the embodiments in FIGs 3 and 4 is intended to run in the previously described track infrastructure 500. The primary propulsion element 40 and the propulsion secondary 155 may be collectively referred to as the propulsion system 160.

[0045] Vehicle cars 400 are attached to the bogie structure 320 by a plurality of exemplary structural elements 300 which are part of the frame / chassis / body 330 of the bogie structure 320 as depicted in the embodiment in FIGs 3, 4 and 5. The representation in the embodiment is intended to be exemplary and hereby does not prescribe the use of different types or arrangement of structural elements to fix the vehicle cars to the propulsion, levitation, suspension and related ancillary systems.

[0046] The bogie structure 320 includes four primary contact mode suspension exemplary assemblies 130 which include wheels 30 for contact mode and low-speed vehicle displacement. The contact mode suspension systems 130are attached to the bogie body 330. The bogie body 330 includes, by no way of limitation, mechanisms 90 to dampen the vibrations and other movements from the guideway plates 10. This representation is intended to be exemplary and does not prescribe the use of different arrangements to roll the vehicle on the track and for the suspension and dampening mechanisms.

[0047] Propulsion of the vehicle 400 is achieved by elements 40 that represent the linear induction machine assemblies but do no not hereby prescribe the use of other non-contact propulsion systems in combination to the corresponding reaction plates as described before. Linear induction machines 160 provide in addition to thrust to propel the vehicle lift in a form of electrodynamic levitation. An exemplary representation of the change in the thrust and lift forces with the speed of the vehicle is provided in the embodiment in FIG. 6.

[0048] Elements 70, as shown in FIG. 1, represent on-track components, which are mounted to track infrastructure 500, by no way of limitation, an exemplary arrangement of components for a form of wireless power transfer system which correspond to elements 80 that are positioned relative to the bogie structure 400. Hereby, the representation of the elements does not prescribe the use of onboard energy storage systems or otherwise inductive, capacitive or any other type of coupling within the power transfer system. The elements 70 and the corresponding elements 80 may be positioned such that a gap is formed therebetween.

[0049] System operation

[0050] In contact mode and low speed operation, propulsion is realized by driving the primary propulsion elements 40 of propulsion system 160 while the bogie structure 320 moves guided on the track by contact mode suspensionexemplary assemblies 130. The exemplary representation of the propulsion system 160 as linear induction machines does not hereby prescribe the use of other noncontact propulsion systems in combination with the corresponding reaction plates as attested before.

[0051] Operation in a contact-less mode is achieved through the magnetic levitation suspension produced by the propulsion system 160 and the electromagnetic suspension system 150. The effective gap distance between elements 40 and the reaction plate 20 can be adjusted as required during the system operation by means of the elements 100 and when transitioning from contact to contact less mode displacement.

[0052] Elements 100 of the electromagnetic levitation system 150 are intended to provide fine and fast adjustments while elements 50 are intended to provide the necessary bulk support to complement the electrodynamic lift forces provided by the induction machines 160.

[0053] The primary propulsion elements 40 and secondary elements 10 and 20 of the induction machine 160 are arranged and relatively positioned as to provide low reluctance paths, in which the magnetic flux linking the primary propulsion elements 40 and propulsion secondary 155 passes through an electrically conductive plate 20. During operation, the flux driven by the energized primary windings of the induction machine 160 induces electrical currents in the conductive plate 20 of the primary secondary 155, which react with the flux to create propulsive and levitation forces between the primary 40 and the secondary elements 10, 20 of the machine 160. This flux is denoted as working magnetic flux.

[0054] The propulsion system 160 includes two or more primary propulsion elements 40, wherein at least one induction machine 40 is placed on each side of the track at angles B, as shown in FIG.1 and FIG. 3. The angle B may be about the same angle as angle A. The levitation force with the angular placement B of the primaries and secondary of the system provides in addition guidance to the bogie and thus the vehicle. The primary propulsion elements 40 are driven in unison to provide equal propulsion and levitation forces on each side of the bogie.

[0055] During contactless operation, the vehicle is levitated with a combination of the magnetic levitation produced by the propulsion system 160 and the electromagnetic suspension provided by elements 50 and 100. Elements 50 and 100 could include, by no way of limitation, a combination of passive magnetic arrays 50 and electromagnets 100. The magnitude of the additional levitation force provided by these electromagnetic suspension elements is adjusted by driving the active electromagnets included within elements 50 and 100.

[0056] The levitation force provided by the propulsion system 160 changes with the operational speed of the vehicle 400. While at low speeds, most of the propulsion system 160 provides more thrust than levitation and guidance. Whereas, at high speed, the levitation force is in general higher than the thrust. The electromagnetic suspension provided by elements 50, 100 and 60 compensates for the real time changes in the levitation force provided by the propulsion system 160.

[0057] The increase of the lift force provided by the induction machines 40 at high speeds, as depicted in graphs shown in FIG. 6 and FIG. 7, results in a reduction of the energy requirements for the electromagnetic levitation system comprised by the elements 50 and 100. The graphs shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 are arepresentation of the trends of electrodynamic lift, electromagnetic attraction, and thrust.

[0058] In some instances, the prescribed angle A of the elements 10, 20 and 40 can be slightly adjusted along the guideway to further change the ratio between the thrust, levitation and guidance provided the propulsion system.

[0059] In some instances, the distance of elements 50 to the reaction plate 60 can be adjusted to set a base trim level to the additional levitation from the electromagnetic suspension system.

[0060] The trim level adjustment of the elements 50 can achieved by no way of limitation, by mechanically adjusting the gap between these elements and the reaction plate 60. These adjustments can be done to trim the vehicle in real time according to the required the speed and payload.

[0061] Active elements 100 acting on reaction plates 60 provide small real time adjustments to provide further vehicle stability independently of the operation mode, said, rolling, low speed contactless or high speed contactless.

[0062] In operation modes at mid-to high speeds the elements of the electromagnetic levitation system provide the supplemental lift for to maintain the necessary gaps to the track elements. Furthermore, by trimming the vehicle to the payload and intended operational speed, the overall energy usage for propulsion and levitation can be highly optimized. Hereby, as example, different possible states of the propulsion, electrodynamic and electromagnetic levitation systems are shown in the graph in FIG. 7.

[0063] Furthermore, at higher speeds, where the electrodynamic levitation provides the highest contribution to the lift forces, the self-guiding and selfaligning character of the vehicle is enhanced, thus providing a highly stableoperation in a regime where previously proposed systems are more difficult to control or unstable.

[0064] Thus, at high speeds the energy consumption could be optimized such that most of it is used to propel the vehicle, while the levitation is mainly attained in a passive way, by means of the trimming of the operation by means of the positioning of the elements 50.

[0065] Furthermore, this flexibility enables the efficient operation of vehicles with a dissimilar range of payloads at high speeds. This in turns create a unique platform that can be used for passenger and cargo transportation, while keeping the same track elements, propulsion, and levitation components.

[0066] Thus, the operation in unison of the propulsion system with the electromagnetic levitation provides an efficient multi-mode vehicle operation where the overall energy usage can be optimal at any given mode and operational speed.

[0067] The system, by no way of limitation, can also incorporate an inductive or capacitive wireless energy transfer system as represented by elements 70 in FIG. 1 and 80 in FIG. 3. The addition of these elements for energy transfer can further increase the operational range of the proposed system but does not otherwise limit the efficiency of the proposed compounded propulsion and levitation system.

[0068] The following clauses further define particular aspects and embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0069] Clause 1. A ground-based transportation system wherein a vehicle moves along a unison suspended track-based guideway, the ground-based transportation system including: a compounded propulsion-levitation systemincluding a contactless propulsion system, wherein the contactless propulsion system includes a set of linear induction machines, a levitation and self-guidance system, and an electrodynamic levitation system; and the electrodynamic levitation system includes passive and active elements complementing the contactless propulsion system, wherein the suspended track-based guideway includes a passive reaction plate and a magnetic flux, wherein the vehicle is activated in accordance with an operation mode.

[0070] Clause 2. The system according to clause 1, wherein the linear induction machine further includes a set of primary and secondary elements that operate in unison to provide thrust, levitation and self-guidance for the vehicle.

[0071] Clause 3. The system according to any of the preceding clauses, wherein the set of primary and secondary elements are positioned at an angle relative to a horizontal direction of the track-based guideway.

[0072] Clause 4. The system according to any of the preceding clauses, wherein said angle is adjustable along the track-based guideway to change the ratio between the thrust, levitation and guidance forces provided by said propulsion system.

[0073] Clause 5. The system according to any of the preceding clauses, wherein the primary elements are operated in unison with said propulsion system to complement the levitation forces provided by the contactless propulsion system and wherein the magnetic flux is provided by a combination of passive and active magnetic field sources.

[0074] Clause 6. The system according to any of the preceding clauses wherein the angle is between about 2 degrees and about 60 degrees.

[0075] Clause 7. The system according to any of the preceding clauses, wherein the effective distance between the elements of the compounded propulsion-levitation system mounted with respect to the vehicle and the passive reaction plates positioned on the suspended track-based guideway is adjustable to optimize the unified operation of the compounded propulsion-levitation system.

[0076] Clause 8. The system according to any of the preceding clauses wherein the electrodynamic levitation system produces a complementary adjustable levitation force to the levitation force provided by the propulsion system, wherein the electrodynamic levitation system, the propulsion system, or the electrodynamic levitation system and the propulsion system are operable to achieve the overall levitation of the vehicle.

[0077] Clause 9. A vehicle bogie including a compounded propulsionlevitation system including a contactless propulsion system, wherein the contactless propulsion system includes a set of linear induction machines, a levitation and self-guidance system, and an electrodynamic levitation system, wherein the vehicle bogie is configured to transport a passenger and / or cargo pod along a suspended track-based guideway.

[0078] Clause 10. The vehicle bogie according to clause 9, wherein the compounded propulsion-levitation system is configured to operate in a multimode along the suspended track-based guideway, wherein the multi-mode is selected from the group including rolling, low speed levitation, high speed levitation, and combinations thereof.

[0079] While the disclosure has been described with reference to preferred embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made, and equivalents may be substituted for the elements thereof withoutdeparting from the scope of the disclosure. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt the teaching of the disclosure to particular use, application, manufacturing conditions, use conditions, composition, medium, size, and / or materials without departing from the essential scope and spirit of the disclosure. Therefore, it is intended that this disclosure is not limited to the exemplary embodiments and best mode contemplated for carrying out the embodiments of this disclosure as described herein. Since many modifications, variations, and changes in detail can be made to the described examples, it is intended that all matters in the preceding description and shown in the accompanying figures be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

Claims

CLAIMSWHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. A ground-based transportation system wherein a vehicle moves along a unison suspended track-based guideway, the ground-based transportation system comprising: a compounded propulsion-levitation system comprising a contactless propulsion system, wherein the contactless propulsion system comprises a set of linear induction machines, a levitation and self-guidance system, and an electrodynamic levitation system; and the electrodynamic levitation system comprises passive and active elements complementing the contactless propulsion system, wherein the suspended track-based guideway comprises a passive reaction plate and a magnetic flux, wherein the vehicle is activated in accordance with an operation mode.

2. The system according to claim 1, wherein the linear induction machine further comprises a set of primary and secondary elements that operate in unison to provide thrust, levitation and self-guidance for the vehicle.

3. The system according to claim 2, wherein the set of primary and secondary elements are positioned at an angle relative to a horizontal direction of the trackbased guideway.

4. The system according to claim 3, wherein said angle is adjustable along the track-based guideway to change the ratio between the thrust, levitation and guidance forces provided by said propulsion system.

5. The system according to claim 2, wherein the primary elements are operated in unison with said propulsion system to complement the levitation forces providedby the contactless propulsion system and wherein the magnetic flux is provided by a combination of passive and active magnetic field sources.

6. The system according to claim 3 wherein the angle is between about 2 degrees and about 60 degrees.

7. The system according to claim 1, wherein the effective distance between the elements of the compounded propulsion-levitation system mounted with respect to the vehicle and the passive reaction plates positioned on the suspended trackbased guideway is adjustable to optimize the unified operation of the compounded propulsion-levitation system.

8. The system according to claim 1 wherein the electrodynamic levitation system produces a complementary adjustable levitation force to the levitation force provided by the propulsion system, wherein the electrodynamic levitation system, the propulsion system, or the electrodynamic levitation system and the propulsion system are operable to achieve the overall levitation of the vehicle.

9. A vehicle bogie comprising a compounded propulsion-levitation system comprising a contactless propulsion system, wherein the contactless propulsion system comprises a set of linear induction machines, a levitation and self-guidance system, and an electrodynamic levitation system, wherein the vehicle bogie is configured to transport a passenger and / or cargo pod along a suspended trackbased guideway.

10. The vehicle bogie according to claim 9, wherein the compounded propulsionlevitation system is configured to operate in a multi-mode along the suspended track-based guideway, wherein the multi-mode is selected from the group consisting of rolling, low speed levitation, high speed levitation, and combinations thereof.

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