Control Concepts for Pneumatic-Tube Vehicles

Abstract

The pneumatic-tube transport system, its operation, and its conceptual development as a high-speed-ground-transportation alternative are discussed briefly. Schemata for control of passive and nonpassive tube vehicles are proposed. System simulations employing a Fanno-flow model and each of the control schemata are outlined. Results contrasting controlled and uncontrolled system operation are presented as plots of the vehicle’s velocity and acceleration versus the vehicle’s position in the tube. Results evidence the infeasibility of existing, passive vehicle concepts.