Development and Testing of a Completely Passive,Air Suspended,Air Propelled Personal Rapid Transit Vehicle.

摘要

A prototype Uniflo vehicle base with mock-up superstructure was tested on 55ft. of full-scale track. Sound treatment to meet NCA 60at 25ft. from the guideway enclosure and within the vehicle was proposed and the costs determined. A heating and cooling system using passive vehicle heat sink elements with station berth recharging was found desirable because of its lower cost and reliability. An evaluation of the estimated production quantity costs for the vehicle base,guideway surface,levitation and thrust elements showed a reduction of 49% compared to previous design estimates. Extensive tests confirmed the feasibility of the track based linear air turbine used for acceleration and service braking in the Uniflo PRT system. Ride quality measurements indicated a need for improved secondary suspension. Empty vehicle speeds over 20ft./sec. and accelerations exceeding 5ft./seconds squared were achieved with an air flow of 72.0cubic feet/sec. Vehicle starting drag was less than 5lbs. force. (Author)