Segmented Evacuated Conduit Pump Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Evacuated transportation systems face high energy consumption and cost due to maintaining a vacuum within travel conduits, especially during off-peak times when usage is reduced.
Innovation Solution
A system that divides the travel conduit into segments with closable barriers and segment pumps, where pumps are deactivated when segments are idle, and reactivated just in time to maintain the vacuum at or below the maximum operating pressure, using a controller to manage the activation and deactivation of pumps and barriers to conserve energy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the evacuation system operates continuously to maintain vacuum in the travel conduit, then the vacuum level is maintained, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the operation state of evacuation systems based on real-time traffic conditions. When no vehicles are present in a conduit segment, the evacuation system is deactivated and barriers are closed to isolate the segment. When vehicles approach or are present, the system activates evacuation and opens barriers, creating a dynamic response to changing operational requirements rather than continuous operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The evacuation system operates periodically rather than continuously, activating only when needed based on vehicle presence detection. The system cycles between active and inactive states, with barriers closing during inactive periods to maintain vacuum without continuous pumping, and opening when vehicles require passage through the conduit segment.
2Use of energy by moving object
If the travel conduit is divided into multiple segments with barriers, then vacuum can be maintained in active segments while deactivating others to save energy, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The travel conduit is divided into multiple independent segments separated by closable barriers. Each segment can be independently evacuated, isolated, and managed. This segmentation allows the system to maintain vacuum only in segments that are currently in use or will be used soon, while deactivating and isolating other segments by closing their barriers, thereby reducing overall energy consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
Closable barriers serve as intermediaries between adjacent conduit segments, enabling independent pressure control and isolation. These barriers act as mediators that allow the system to separate the travel conduit into independently manageable sections, facilitating selective evacuation and energy savings while maintaining the ability to connect segments when needed for vehicle passage.
3Use of energy by moving object
If pumps are deactivated during idle periods, then energy consumption decreases, but the time required to re-evacuate segments increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by detecting when vehicles are approaching a deactivated conduit segment and activating the evacuation system in advance. The controller monitors vehicle positions and triggers pump activation before the vehicle arrives at the segment, ensuring the vacuum is re-established in time for the vehicle's arrival without requiring the vehicle to wait, thus balancing energy savings with operational readiness.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach significantly reduces energy consumption by minimizing the operation of segment pumps during idle periods, optimizing energy use based on vehicle traffic and leakage rates, thereby lowering operational costs.
Implementation Method 1
an evacuated transportation system that conveys large numbers of people and/or other cargo in vehicles that travel over long distances through specially prepared travel conduits or 'tubes' that have been partially or fully evacuated to significantly reduce or eliminate air resistance
Data Source
AI summary
A high-speed transportation system comprises an evacuated travel conduit divided into a plurality of segments by closable gates, and associated with corresponding segment pumps that maintain operating vacuums within the segments when vehicles are present. When a segment is unoccupied, energy is saved by closing the adjoining gates and deactivating the associated segment pump, thereby deactivating the segment and allowing the segment's internal pressure to rise due to leakage. As a vehicle approaches, the segment pump is reactivated, lowering the internal pressure to the operating vacuum, and the gates are opened. Embodiments include a boom-tank system that can accelerate re-evacuation of a segment having an increased internal pressure by establishing fluid communication with at least one recently deactivated segment having a lower internal pressure. As a vehicle transits the conduit, a rolling, contiguous group of activated segments surrounding and in advance of the vehicle can be maintained.