Railways – Car-carried propulsion system – Pneumatic
Reexamination Certificate
1998-12-18
2001-01-09
Basinger, Sherman (Department: 3617)
Railways
Car-carried propulsion system
Pneumatic
C104S156000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06170404
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
In general, this invention pertains to transportation systems. Specifically, this invention pertains to propulsion systems necessary for both space travel and ground transportation.
2. Background Information
The abundance and usefulness of pneumatic devices is unequivocal. In particular, gas guns, which use pressurized gas to accelerate projectiles, are well known. However, gas guns probably work better and are simply more practical on a small scale (i.e., with small bullet-sized projectiles) than on a large scale (i.e., with large spacecraft-sized projectiles). Consequently, the design and operation of a gas gun that could be used for spacecraft would be very unwieldy. The present invention utilizes the small-scale scale gas gun concept in combination with a magnetic coupling scheme to achieve a novel apparatus for propelling large conveyances like spacecraft and ground transportation vehicles.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
This invention has the ability to provide the initial acceleration necessary for spacecraft to attain earth orbit without use of traditional rocket propellants. The invention also has the ability to provide an alternative means of ground transportation without the direct use of fossil fuel. The invention utilizes a pressurized, nonmagnetic tube to accelerate and translate a piston. The piston is magnetically coupled to a conveyance, which travels along the outside of the tube. The conveyance, in turn, can be either a spacecraft or a vehicle suitable for ground transportation.
An object of this invention is to provide initial acceleration from the earth's surface that is needed for space travel.
Another object of this invention is to reduce the weight of propellant that is needed by launch vehicles to reach earth orbit.
A further object of this invention is to provide low cost access to space.
A still further object of this invention is to provide a more environmentally-friendly mechanism for propelling transportation vehicles on the ground.
REFERENCES:
patent: 2493013 (1950-01-01), Nelson
patent: 2493014 (1950-01-01), Nelson
patent: 2606725 (1952-08-01), Dreibelbis
patent: 2856139 (1958-10-01), Lockwood
patent: 4240599 (1980-12-01), Hammond
patent: 4347791 (1982-09-01), Mandros
patent: 4645182 (1987-02-01), Stoll
patent: 4805761 (1989-02-01), Totsch
Basinger Sherman
Olson Lars A.
Seemann Jerry L.
The United States of America as represented by the Administrator
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