# US 10,308,135 B2 · Magnetic levitation of vehicles > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,308,135 B2 - Document ID: US10308135B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 15/579,012 - Filed: 2016-06-03 - Published: 2018-05-24 - Granted: 2019-06-04 - Earliest claimed: 2015-06-03 - Applicants: Greg Henderson - Inventors: Greg Henderson - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10308135B2 ## CPC - B60L 15/005: {for control of propulsion for vehicles propelled by linear motors} - B60L 13/003: {Crossings; Points} - B60L 13/04: Magnetic suspension or levitation for vehicles - B60L 13/10: Combination of electric propulsion and magnetic suspension or levitation - B61B 13/08: Sliding or levitation systems (vehicles with air cushions between rails and vehicles B60V3/04) - B61B 13/10: Tunnel systems (pneumatic tubes conveyors B65G {; B61C15/045 takes precedence}) - B60L 2200/26: Rail vehicles - B60L: PROPULSION OF ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES (arrangements or mounting of electrical propulsion units or of plural diverse prime-movers for mutual or common propulsion in vehicles B60K1/00, B60K6/20; arrangements or mounting of electrical gearing in vehicles B60K17/12, B60K17/14; preventing wheel slip by reducing power in rail vehicles B61C15/08; dynamo-electric machines H02K; control or regulation of electric motors H02P); SUPPLYING ELECTRIC POWER FOR AUXILIARY EQUIPMENT OF ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES (electric coupling devices combined with mechanical couplings of vehicles B60D1/64; electric heating for vehicles B60H1/00); ELECTRODYNAMIC BRAKE SYSTEMS FOR VEHICLES IN GENERAL (control or regulation of electric motors H02P); MAGNETIC SUSPENSION OR LEVITATION FOR VEHICLES; MONITORING OPERATING VARIABLES OF ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES; ELECTRIC SAFETY DEVICES FOR ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES - B61B: RAILWAY SYSTEMS; EQUIPMENT THEREFOR NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR (lifts or hoists, elevators, escalators, moving walkways B66B) ## Abstract Magnetic levitation can be used for transportation purposes. In various embodiments, the vehicle utilizing magnetic levitation can be enclosed within a tube or a tunnel or outside of an enclosed environment. Various cross-sections of vehicles and tubes can be utilized. In various embodiments, the vehicles can be used for personal or mass transportation use. The vehicle can travel in at least two directions with a window at each end of the vehicle. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A device for transportation utilizing magnetic levitation comprising one or more vehicles capable of use for transportation in a tube or over any conductive substrate comprising at least one hover engine, each hover engine having an electric motor including a winding, a first set of magnets and a first structure which holds the first p magnets wherein an electric current is applied to the winding to cause one of the winding or the first set of magnets to rotate; wherein the magnets are permanent magnets, electromagnets, or a combination of permanent magnets and electromagnets; a second structure, configured to receive a rotational torque from the electric motor to rotate the second structure, the structure holding a second set of magnets wherein the second set of magnets are rotated to induce eddy currents in a substrate such that the induced eddy currents and the second set of magnets interact to generate forces which cause the vehicle to hover above and/or translate from location to location along the substrate; wherein the magnets are permanent magnets, electromagnets, or a combination of permanent magnets and electromagnets; one or more speed controllers coupled to the at least one hover engine; an electric power source that supplies the electric current to the at least one hover engine via the one or more speed controllers; and a travelling surface; wherein the one or more vehicles are capable of moving in at least two directions. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The device of claim 1 wherein the cross-section of the vehicle is a different shape than the cross-section of the tube. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The device of claim 1 wherein the cross-section of the vehicle is a shape that is the same as the cross-section of the tube. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The device of claim 1 wherein the vehicle is capable of moving in at least four directions. ### Claim 5 (depends on 2) The device of claim 2 wherein the vehicle is capable of moving in at least five directions. ### Claim 6 (depends on 4) The device of claim 4 wherein the directions are forward, backward, laterally, diagonally, and upward. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The device of claim 1 wherein the vehicle is controlled by an individual inside of the vehicle. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The device of claim 1 wherein the vehicle is controlled by an external entity. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The device of claim 8 wherein the entity is selected from the group consisting of an individual and a computer. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The device of claim 1 wherein the device transports people. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The device of claim 1 wherein the device transports cargo. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The device of claim 1 wherein the vehicle travels on at least one selected from the group consisting of conduit, tube, tunnel, a conductive surface, and rail. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) A system of transportation comprising the vehicle of claim 1 and a network of interconnected traveling surfaces. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The system of claim 13 wherein the interconnected traveling surfaces comprise at least one selected from the group consisting of conduit, tube, tunnel, and rail. ### Claim 15 (depends on 13) The system of claim 13 wherein the interconnected traveling surfaces are tubes or any conductive substrate. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The system of claim 15 wherein the cross-section of the vehicle is a different shape than the cross-section of the tube. ### Claim 17 (depends on 15) The system of claim 15 wherein the cross-section of the vehicle is a shape that is the same as the cross-section of the tube. ### Claim 18 (depends on 13) The system of claim 13 wherein the vehicle carries individuals. ### Claim 19 (depends on 13) The system of claim 13 wherein the vehicle carries cargo. ### Claim 20 (depends on 13) The system of claim 13 wherein the interconnected traveling surfaces comprise a conductive substrate. ### Claim 21 (depends on 13) The system of claim 13 wherein the vehicle travels in a tube. ### Claim 22 (depends on 21) The system of claim 21 wherein the tube has been pressurized. ### Claim 23 (depends on 21) The system of claim 21 wherein the tube has been evacuated of fluid. ### Claim 24 (depends on 13) The system of claim 13 wherein a route of the vehicle can be changed dynamically. ### Claim 25 (depends on 13) The system of claim 13 wherein the vehicle can be used with at least one selected from the group consisting of wheels, skids, standoffs, lifts, struts, superconductivity, or other means of static or dynamic support, tracking, propulsion, levitation, guidance, and influence. ### Claim 26 (depends on 15) The system of claim 15 wherein at least one selected from the group consisting of suspension struts, levitation, rolling, track, or suspension components extend from the vehicle in a manner that reduces aerodynamic obstruction within the tube. ### Claim 27 (depends on 13) The system of claim 13 wherein the vehicles travel between 400-800 mph.