Vacuum transport tube vehicle, system, and method for evacuating a vacuum transport tube

A vacuum transport tube vehicle system for evacuating a vacuum transport tube, the vacuum transport tube vehicle system comprising:

• a vacuum transport tube having an inner surface, an outer surface, and an interior;
• one or more vacuum transport tube vehicles configured for moving through the interior of the vacuum transport tube and evacuating air from the interior of the vacuum transport tube over a route length of a vacuum transport tube route, each of the one or more vacuum transport tube vehicles comprising:
• a first end comprising a piston head, the first end having a first end outer diameter and a first end outer surface, wherein when each vacuum transport tube vehicle is installed in the vacuum transport tube, an annular gap is formed between the inner surface of the vacuum transport tube and the first end outer surface;
• a second end having a second end outer diameter;
• a body disposed between the first end and the second end, the body comprising a piston having a structural framework;
• at least one orifice extending from a first inlet portion in the first end through to a second outlet portion of the vacuum transport tube vehicle, the second outlet portion positioned aft of the first inlet portion, the at least one orifice configured to allow air to flow from a forward space in front of the vacuum transport tube vehicle to an aft space behind the vacuum transport tube vehicle, to create a delta pressure between a forward pressure in the forward space and an aft pressure in the aft space, such that the aft pressure is lower than the forward pressure;
• a drive assembly coupled to the body for driving the vacuum transport tube vehicle through the vacuum transport tube;
• and
• a power system coupled to the drive assembly for powering the drive assembly;
• wherein the one or more vacuum transport tube vehicles are configured to create a vacuum with a desired pressure in the interior of the vacuum transport tube by causing successive vehicle pass through the vacuum transport tube such that the pressure in the interior of the vacuum transport tube is reduced through each vehicle pass;
• and
• one or more pressure barriers positioned in the interior of the vacuum transport tube aft of the one or more vacuum transport tube vehicles.

A method for evacuating a vacuum transport tube, the method comprising the steps of:

• installing one or more vacuum transport tube vehicles in an interior of the vacuum transport tube, the vacuum transport tube having an inner surface and an outer surface, and each of the one or more vacuum transport tube vehicles comprising:
• a first end comprising a piston head, the first end having a first end outer diameter and a first end outer surface, wherein an annular gap is formed between the first end outer surface and the inner surface of the vacuum transport tube;
• a second end having a second end outer diameter;
• a body disposed between the first end and the second end, the body comprising a piston having a structural framework;
• at least one orifice extending from a first inlet portion in the first end through to a second outlet portion of the vacuum transport tube vehicle, the second outlet portion positioned aft of the first inlet portion;
• a drive assembly coupled to the body for driving the vacuum transport tube vehicle through the vacuum transport tube;
• and
• a power system coupled to the drive assembly for powering the drive assembly;
• installing one or more pressure barriers in the interior of the vacuum transport tube aft of the one or more vacuum transport tube vehicles;
• moving each vacuum transport tube vehicle through the interior of the vacuum transport tube, and making one or more vehicle passes with each vacuum transport tube vehicle over a route length of a vacuum transport tube route;
• flowing air, through the at least one orifice and through the annular gap of each vacuum transport tube vehicle, from a forward space in front of each vacuum transport tube vehicle, to an aft space behind each vacuum transport tube vehicle, to create a delta pressure between a forward pressure in the forward space and an aft pressure in the aft space, such that the aft pressure is lower than the forward pressure;
• and
• evacuating air from the vacuum transport tube, and reducing pressure in the interior of the vacuum transport tube with each successive vehicle pass, until a desired pressure is obtained and a vacuum is created in the interior of the vacuum transport tube.