Dual mode vehicle and system for high speed surface transportation

Abstract

A dual-mode vehicle system for surface transportation comprising a cab, first and second independently-driven hubs coupled to the cab, and an inclined plane extending from a first surface to a second surface. The first and second independently-driven hubs each have first and second portions wherein the first portion of the second independently-driven hub propels the cab along a third surface at least until the second portion of the first independently-driven hub cooperates with the inclined plane to propel the cab up to said second surface. A dual-mode vehicle for surface transportation and a method of manufacturing the dual-mode vehicle is also provided.

1 . A dual-mode vehicle system for surface transportation, comprising: 
 a cab;    first and second independently-driven hubs coupled to said cab, said first and second independently-driven hubs each having first and second portions; and    an inclined plane extending from a first surface to a second surface wherein said first portion of said second independently-driven hub propels said cab along a third surface at least until said second portion of said first independently-driven hub cooperates with said inclined plane to propel said cab up to said second surface.    
   
   
       2 . The system as recited in  claim 1  wherein said third surface is a guided roadway and said second surface is an unguided roadway.  
   
   
       3 . The system as recited in  claim 1  wherein said third surface is an elevated roadway.  
   
   
       4 . The system as recited in  claim 1  further comprising first and second motors coupled to each of said first and second independently-driven hubs, respectively.  
   
   
       5 . The system as recited in  claim 1  further comprising an autonomous power system within said cab coupled to and driving said first and second independently-driven hubs.  
   
   
       6 . The system as recited in  claim 1  further comprising an aerodynamic control surface coupled to said cab and configured to control an effective weight of said cab.  
   
   
       7 . The system as recited in  claim 6  further comprising a system computer coupled to said first and second independently-driven hubs and said aerodynamic control surface.  
   
   
       8 . The system as recited in  claim 1  further comprising an active suspension system coupled between said cab and said first and second independently-driven hubs.  
   
   
       9 . The system as recited in  claim 1  wherein said cab has a substantially flat bottom surface.  
   
   
       10 . The system as recited in  claim 1  wherein each of said first and second independently-driven hubs comprise a single piece.  
   
   
       11 . A dual-mode vehicle for surface transportation, comprising: 
 a cab; and    first and second independently-driven hubs coupled to said cab, said first and second independently-driven hubs each having first and second portions comprising a single piece.    
   
   
       12 . The dual-mode vehicle as recited in  claim 11  further comprising first and second motors coupled to each of said first and second independently-driven hubs, respectively.  
   
   
       13 . The dual-mode vehicle as recited in  claim 11  further comprising an autonomous power system within said cab coupled to and driving said first and second independently-driven hubs.  
   
   
       14 . The dual-mode vehicle as recited in  claim 11  further comprising an aerodynamic control surface coupled to said cab and configured to control an effective weight of said cab.  
   
   
       15 . The dual-mode vehicle as recited in  claim 14  further comprising a system computer coupled to said first and second independently-driven hubs and said aerodynamic control surface.  
   
   
       16 . The dual-mode vehicle as recited in  claim 11  further comprising an active suspension system coupled between said cab and said first and second independently-driven hubs.  
   
   
       17 . A method of manufacturing a vehicle for surface transportation on both a guided and unguided roadway, comprising: 
 providing a cab; and    coupling first and second independently-driven hubs to said cab, said first and second independently-driven hubs each having first and second portions comprising a single piece.    
   
   
       18 . The method as recited in  claim 17  further comprising: 
 coupling first and second motors to each of said first and second independently-driven hubs, respectively; and    coupling an autonomous power system within said cab to drive said first and second independently-driven hubs.    
   
   
       19 . The method as recited in  claim 17  further comprising coupling an aerodynamic control surface to said cab and configuring said aerodynamic control surface to control an effective weight of said cab.  
   
   
       20 . The method as recited in  claim 17  further comprising coupling a system computer to said first and second independently-driven hubs and said aerodynamic control surface.  
   
   
       21 . The method as recited in  claim 17  further comprising coupling an active suspension system between said cab and said first and second independently-driven hubs.