Hyperloop is a soon-to-be-realized concept - a transportation system proposed by billionaire Elon Musk (founder of the SpaceX and electric vehicle Tesla Motors). In the words of Elon Musk: "Hyperloop is a system of forming a tube below or above the surface of the earth that will have a special atmosphere." This particular environment may be due to vacuum or high speed compressed air or electromagnet.
Musk says the hyperloop could be useful for a city with a lot of traffic. In 2013, he proposed an article outlining the same and discussing the potential implications.
What are the benefits of hyperloop?
Musk called the hyperloop the best means of transportation that would be better than "flying or driving". Compared to the current alternative, it will be much faster, cheaper and safer. It will be weatherproof, permanent and uninterrupted.
What is the biggest challenge and how to overcome it?
The biggest challenge that needs to be overcome is the Kantrowitz limit. Musk describes it as the top speed law for tube to pod area ratio. This means - for a vehicle going into a tube filled with tubes, there must be a minimum distance between the tube and the walls of the vehicle. Otherwise, the system will behave like a syringe and it will push the entire air column out of the system.
The purpose of the musk is to place an electric compressor fan on the nose of the capsule which will force the high pressure air to move from the front to the end of the vehicle. This will reduce friction.
Musk's Hyperloop conceptual design sketch
Musk says the hyperloop could be useful for a city with a lot of traffic. In 2013, he proposed an article outlining the same and discussing the potential implications.
What are the benefits of hyperloop?
Musk called the hyperloop the best means of transportation that would be better than "flying or driving". Compared to the current alternative, it will be much faster, cheaper and safer. It will be weatherproof, permanent and uninterrupted.
What is the biggest challenge and how to overcome it?
The biggest challenge that needs to be overcome is the Kantrowitz limit. Musk describes it as the top speed law for tube to pod area ratio. This means - for a vehicle going into a tube filled with tubes, there must be a minimum distance between the tube and the walls of the vehicle. Otherwise, the system will behave like a syringe and it will push the entire air column out of the system.
The purpose of the musk is to place an electric compressor fan on the nose of the capsule which will force the high pressure air to move from the front to the end of the vehicle. This will reduce friction.
Musk's Hyperloop conceptual design sketch
What will it cost?
The estimated cost of a hyperloop is up to several billion dollars. The Hyperloop capsule will cost hundreds of millions of dollars. There are advantages to building a tube instead of a railway, such as no need to fence, it is less noisy and can be built on pylons - so the cost of land purchased can be reduced.
How will it be run?
Musk says solar panels will be placed on top of the tube and will provide enough power to drive vehicles. Elon Musk is partnering with Hyperloop Transportation Technologies to make this a reality.
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