Modular enclosed transportation structure and integrated track assembly
AssigneeHyperloop Technologies, Inc.
InventorAli Zarafshan
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A modular structure, configured to be connectable with a plurality of modular structures to form an enclosed transportation path, each modular structure including a bottom element structured and arranged to provide a track support surface and a plurality of upper element attachment structures, and an upper element configured to attach to the bottom element at the plurality of upper element attachment structures, wherein the upper element is structured to sealingly engage with the lower element.
Claims24
A modular structure, configured to be connectable with a plurality of modular structures to form an enclosed transportation path, each modular structure comprising:
- a bottom element structured and arranged to provide a track support surface and a plurality of upper element attachment structures;
- and
- an upper element configured to attach to the bottom element at the plurality of upper element attachment structures, wherein the upper element is arranged to sealingly engage with the lower element,
- wherein the bottom element comprises:
- a first shell structured and arranged to form an exterior wall of the bottom element;
- and
- a second shell structured and arranged to form an interior wall of the enclosed transportation path, and
- wherein the first shell, the second shell and the upper element each are formed from a planar sheet of metal.
A modular structure, configured to be connectable with a plurality of modular structures to form an enclosed transportation path, each modular structure comprising:
- a bottom element structured and arranged to provide a track support surface and a plurality of upper element attachment structures;
- and
- an upper element configured to attach to the bottom element at the plurality of upper element attachment structures, wherein the upper element is arranged to sealingly engage with the lower element,
- wherein the bottom element comprises:
- a first shell structured and arranged to form an exterior wall of the bottom element;
- and
- a second shell structured and arranged to form an interior wall of the enclosed transportation path,
- wherein the second shell is spaced from the first shell to provide a gap between the first shell and the second shell,
- further comprising secondary tracks arranged the second shell adjacent the upper element attachment structures.
A method of forming a modular structure, the method comprising:
- forming a bottom element structured and arranged to provide a track support surface and to provide a plurality of upper element attachment structures;
- and
- forming an upper element structured to attach to the bottom element at the plurality of upper element attachment structures, wherein the upper element is configured to sealingly engage with the lower element, wherein forming the bottom element comprises:
- shaping a first shell and a second shell;
- arranging the first shell relative to the second shell with a gap there between;
- arranging at least one filler material in the gap to define at least one space for arranging at least one support material;
- supplying the at least one support material into the at least one space;
- and
- hardening the support material to form at least one support element in the gap that securely connects the first shell to the second shell,
- wherein the first shell, the second shell and the upper element each are formed from a planar sheet of metal.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.