3 ms·

> Hyperloop is a “cross between a Concorde, a railgun and an air hockey table.” I'm thinking Wing in Ground Effect [1], where small vehicles are launched to su

> Hyperloop is a “cross between a Concorde, a railgun and an air hockey table.” I'm thinking Wing in Ground Effect [1], where small vehicles are launched to supersonic speeds using electromagnetic slings (and perhaps then use their own power to super-cruise to the destination and eventually decelerate). You wouldn't need much infrastructure - the cost would be in the vehicles and launching mechanisms. [1] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wing_In_Ground_Effect http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wing_In_Ground_Effect

schiffern 13y ago
That doesn't sound very "immune to weather" to me.
omegant 13y ago
It must be inmune to weather and take into account that it will be supersonic at least, so it must be covered. Also Elon is very good at going to the basics of the problem like: -Cost of installing the system -pass rights -cost of raw material -current state of technology (lots of legacy tech on transportation) and "easy" improvements of Efficiency with improved implementation. Given that thanks to his actual business he has great knowledge of high speed aerodinamics, electromagnetism electrical propulsion and energy storage.. My bet is towards an elevated light tube (not vacuum) that works as a induction propulsor for the vehicle and condensor battery(you may use solar panels on top to recharge it). Also it insulates the "train-plane" from the weather and the exterior from the sonic shock. The vehicle will be like a electromagnetic train but just for impulsion and braking, it will use the shock waves and ground effect to hold the weight and stabilization. That way the electromagnetic fields don't need to be generated with expensive systems. The tube could use high voltage lines right of way and some simple metal towers to hold the actual system. I don't know if it makes sense but if something like this really can work it will be way cheaper that current high speed trains, vacuum capable tube or spinning megatons of steel at high speed through highly populated areas(a mechanical failure has the capability of wiping entire neighborhoods like a wire lawn mower).

schiffern 13y ago

That doesn't sound very "immune to weather" to me.

omegant 13y ago

It must be inmune to weather and take into account that it will be supersonic at least, so it must be covered. Also Elon is very good at going to the basics of the problem like: -Cost of installing the system -pass rights -cost of raw material -current state of technology (lots of legacy tech on transportation) and "easy" improvements of Efficiency with improved implementation. Given that thanks to his actual business he has great knowledge of high speed aerodinamics, electromagnetism electrical propulsion and energy storage.. My bet is towards an elevated light tube (not vacuum) that works as a induction propulsor for the vehicle and condensor battery(you may use solar panels on top to recharge it). Also it insulates the "train-plane" from the weather and the exterior from the sonic shock. The vehicle will be like a electromagnetic train but just for impulsion and braking, it will use the shock waves and ground effect to hold the weight and stabilization. That way the electromagnetic fields don't need to be generated with expensive systems. The tube could use high voltage lines right of way and some simple metal towers to hold the actual system. I don't know if it makes sense but if something like this really can work it will be way cheaper that current high speed trains, vacuum capable tube or spinning megatons of steel at high speed through highly populated areas(a mechanical failure has the capability of wiping entire neighborhoods like a wire lawn mower).