Hyperloop Tube Segment Assembly on Girder Pathways Over Rough Terrain

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for constructing hyperloop transportation structures face challenges such as transporting large tube segments over difficult terrain and ensuring energy supply during construction, which complicates the assembly process.

Innovation Solution

A method involving the erection of a substructure composed of piers and girders, which allows for the transportation and assembly of tube segments using a circulation loop system, enabling construction on rough terrains without the need for ground access.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If tube segments are transported to construction site over difficult terrain, then assembly can proceed, but transportation becomes extremely difficult and costly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of transportationVSAvoiddifficult terrain

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The substructure (piers and girders) is erected in advance at the construction site before tube segments are transported. This preliminary action creates the necessary infrastructure for subsequent assembly, allowing tube segments to be placed directly onto pre-positioned girders without requiring complex ground access or transportation routes over difficult terrain.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The hyperloop structure is divided into discrete tube segments that can be individually transported and assembled. Each tube segment is a manageable unit that can be conveyed along transportation pathways and positioned onto the substructure, making the overall assembly process feasible even in difficult terrain conditions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Ease of manufacture

If movable fabrication machine is used to construct tubes on land, then tube assembly is enabled, but the machine must access the construction site which is not always possible

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetube fabrication capabilityVSAvoidaccess to construction site

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of bringing the fabrication machine to the construction site, the invention inverts the approach by transporting pre-fabricated tube segments to the construction site where the substructure has been erected. This reversal eliminates the need for ground access machinery while maintaining the ability to assemble the hyperloop structure in difficult terrain.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

Tube segments are pre-fabricated at remote manufacturing locations away from the construction site, then transported to the site for assembly. This preliminary fabrication action separates the manufacturing process from the construction site accessibility requirements, enabling hyperloop construction in locations that cannot accommodate large fabrication machinery.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Device complexity

If tube segments are assembled without a substructure, then assembly is simpler, but transportation and positioning of huge tube segments becomes impractical

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveassembly structureVSAvoidtransportation and positioning

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The substructure consisting of piers and girders acts as an intermediary framework that facilitates the transportation and positioning of tube segments. The girders provide designated placement points where tube segments can be conveyed and positioned, making the assembly process manageable despite the huge size and weight of the tube segments.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention replaces direct ground-based mechanical transportation of tube segments with a system that uses transportation pathways (such as rails or conveyors) mounted on the substructure. This substitution enables precise positioning of tube segments without requiring heavy ground access equipment, reducing the mechanical complexity of the assembly operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentUS20250154734A1Method for erecting a transportation structure

Publication Date: 2025.05.15 ARCELORMITTAL SA

AI summary

A method for erecting a portion of a transportation structure including two assemblies of tube segments, capable of being placed under low air pressure and through which pods may travel substantially free of air friction, the method including: (a) erecting a substructure including a first plurality of girders forming a first transportation pathway, a second plurality of girders forming a second transportation pathway and a plurality of platforms forming a service pathway, the erecting step including conveying with vehicle(s) the girders and platforms along the first and/or second transportation pathway, positioning them and having the vehicle(s) return along the service pathway, (b) conveying, with vehicle(s), the tube segments along the first and/or second transportation pathway, positioning them and having the vehicle(s) return along the service pathway. A portion of a transportation structure is also provided.