# US 2023/0054554 A1 · Apparatus and method for interconnecting and isolating very large evacuated volumes > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2023/0054554 A1 - Document ID: US20230054554A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 17/797,485 - Filed: 2021-01-26 - Published: 2023-02-23 - Earliest claimed: 2020-02-13 - Assignees: Flowserve Management Company - Applicants: Flowserve Management Company - Inventors: John K. Peterson; Matthew W. Laney - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20230054554A1 ## CPC - B61B 13/10: Tunnel systems (pneumatic tubes conveyors B65G {; B61C15/045 takes precedence}) - Y02T 30/00: Transportation of goods or passengers via railways, e.g. energy recovery or reducing air resistance - B61B: RAILWAY SYSTEMS; EQUIPMENT THEREFOR NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR (lifts or hoists, elevators, escalators, moving walkways B66B) - Y02T: CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES RELATED TO TRANSPORTATION ## Abstract A bridging module provides sealable interconnection between segments of an evacuated tube transportation system. A pair of gate elements are horizontally transitioned by a drive mechanism from a stored configuration offset from the tube segments to a deployed configuration where an expanding mechanism presses them outward to seal portals to the tube segments. The module can thereby be vented while the tube segments retain vacuum. A rail carriage in the module can bridge between overhead capsule support rails of the tube segments. A lifting mechanism can lift the rail carriage into a rail carriage section above the portals to allow the gate elements to deploy. The gate elements can be supported by rails and/or linear bearings, and pressed outward by opposed pneumatic pistons located between them, e.g. proximal to the four corners of the gate elements. The drive mechanism can include a motor with rack and pinion. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A bridging module configured to provide vacuum connectivity between first and second evacuated volumes, the bridging module comprising: a portal section comprising opposing first and second portals configured for sealed attachment respectively to the first and second evacuated volumes; first and second gate elements configured respectively to cover and seal the first and second portals; a storage section horizontally extending from the portal section, the gate elements being horizontally translatable by a drive mechanism between a deployed configuration in which the gate elements are located in the portal section and form seals with the portals, and a stored configuration in which the gate elements are located in the storage section and do not overlap a passage formed between the portals; and an expanding mechanism extending between the gate elements and configured to press the gate elements apart when the gate elements are in the deployed configuration, thereby pressing the gate elements against the portals; the bridging module thereby providing unobstructed, evacuated connectivity between the evacuated volumes when the gate elements are in the stored configuration; and the bridging module being isolated from the evacuated volumes when the gate elements are in the deployed configuration, thereby enabling the evacuated volumes to remain evacuated while the bridging module is vented to atmosphere. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The bridging module of claim 1, wherein the gate elements are supported by rails on which the gate elements are horizontally translatable. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The bridging module of claim 1, wherein the gate elements are supported by linear bearings on which the gate elements are horizontally translatable. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The bridging module of claim 1, wherein the gate elements are stabilized by sliding attachment of tops thereof to upper rails. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The bridging module of claim 4, wherein the sliding attachment to the upper rails includes linear bearings. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The bridging module of claim 1, wherein the drive mechanism includes a rack-and-pinion and a drive motor. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The bridging module of claim 1, wherein the drive mechanism includes a continuous position indication. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The bridging module of claim 1, wherein the drive mechanism includes at least one range limiting mechanism that prevents the drive mechanism from translating the gate elements beyond a defined range. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The bridging module of claim 1, wherein the drive mechanism includes a continuous position indication that is calibrated according to signals received from at least one range limiting mechanism that prevents the drive mechanism from translating the gate elements beyond a defined range. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The bridging module of claim 1, wherein the drive mechanism includes at least one of a continuous position indication and drive mechanism diagnostic information that is accessible by means of wireless communication. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The bridging module of claim 1, wherein the expanding mechanism is pneumatically driven. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The bridging module of claim 11, wherein the expanding mechanism includes four air-driven opposed pneumatic pistons located proximal to and between four opposing corners of the gate elements. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The bridging module of claim 1, wherein the first and second evacuated volumes are tube segments of an evacuated tube transportation system. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The bridging module of claim 13, further comprising a rail carriage configured, when the gate elements are in the stored configuration, to provide rail continuity between overhead rails that support transportation capsules within the tube segments. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The bridging module of claim 14, further comprising: a rail carriage section extending above the portal section; and a lifting mechanism configured to raise the rail carriage above the gate elements when the gate elements are in the deployed configuration. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The bridging module of claim 15, wherein the lifting mechanism operates along vertical rails that run along both sides of a carriage housing located within the rail carriage section. ### Claim 17 (depends on 15) The bridging module of claim 15, wherein the lifting mechanism includes a continuous position indication. ### Claim 18 (depends on 15) The bridging module of claim 15, wherein the lifting mechanism includes at least one range limiting mechanism that prevents the lifting mechanism from translating the rail carriage beyond a defined range. ### Claim 19 (depends on 15) The bridging module of claim 15, wherein the lifting mechanism includes a continuous position indication that is calibrated according to signals received from at least one range limiting mechanism that prevents the lifting mechanism from translating the rail carriage beyond a defined range. ### Claim 20 (depends on 15) The bridging module of claim 15, wherein the lifting mechanism includes at least one of a continuous position indication and lifting mechanism diagnostic information that is accessible by means of wireless communication.