Modular enclosed transportation structure and integrated track assembly

Abstract

A modular structure, configured to be connectable with a plurality of modular structures to form an enclosed transportation path, each modular structure including a bottom element structured and arranged to provide a track support surface and a plurality of upper element attachment structures, and an upper element configured to attach to the bottom element at the plurality of upper element attachment structures, wherein the upper element is structured to sealingly engage with the lower element.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A modular structure, configured to be connectable with a plurality of modular structures to form an enclosed transportation path, each modular structure comprising:
 a bottom element structured and arranged to provide a track support surface and a plurality of upper element attachment structures; and   an upper element configured to attach to the bottom element at the plurality of upper element attachment structures, wherein the upper element is arranged to sealingly engage with the lower element.   
     
     
         2 . The modular structure according to  claim 1 , wherein the bottom element comprises:
 a first shell structured and arranged to form an exterior wall of the bottom element; and   a second shell structured and arranged to form an interior wall of the enclosed transportation path,   wherein the second shell is spaced from the first shell to provide a gap between the first shell and the second shell.   
     
     
         3 . The modular structure according to  claim 2 , wherein the bottom element comprises a horizontal portion structured and arranged to provide the track support surface, and two wing portions that respectively project upwardly and outwardly from the horizontal portion. 
     
     
         4 . The modular structure according to  claim 3 , wherein the upper element attachment structures are respectively arranged on the two wing portions. 
     
     
         5 . The modular structure according to  claim 3 , wherein the gap is constant in the horizontal portion and constant in the wing portions. 
     
     
         6 . The modular structure according to  claim 3 , wherein the gap is constant in the horizontal portion and varying in the wing portions. 
     
     
         7 . The modular structure according to  claim 2 , further comprising:
 at least one support material arranged in the gap to secure the first shell to the second shell.   
     
     
         8 . The modular structure according to  claim 7 , wherein the at least one support material arranged in the gap comprises at least two support materials in the gap, and wherein two of the at least two support materials are configured to each provide respective upper element attachment structures. 
     
     
         9 . The modular structure according to  claim 8 , wherein the respective upper element attachment structures comprise a receiving groove in each of the two of the at least two support materials, wherein the receiving grooves are sized to accommodate respective ends of the upper element in a sealingly-engaged manner. 
     
     
         10 . The modular structure according to  claim 8 , wherein the bottom element comprises a horizontal portion structured and arranged to provide the track support surface, and two wing portions that respectively project upwardly and outwardly from the horizontal portion, and
 wherein the at least one support material additionally comprises at least two support materials formed in the gap at the respective transitions from the horizontal portion to the two wing portions.   
     
     
         11 . The modular structure according to  claim 7 , further comprising:
 at least one filler material arranged in the gap to define areas for forming the at least one support material.   
     
     
         12 . The modular structure according to  claim 7 , wherein at least one of the first shell and the second shell includes a plurality of posts projecting therefrom and structured and arranged to contact the support material to strengthen a connection between the support material and the first and second shells. 
     
     
         13 . The modular structure according to  claim 7 , wherein the second shell includes a plurality holes formed therein that are structured and arranged for connecting track supports and/or track elements to the second shell. 
     
     
         14 . The modular structure according to  claim 1 , further comprising a transportation track arranged on the bottom element. 
     
     
         15 . The modular structure of  claim 1 , the lower element further comprising:
 at least one connection projection projecting from the lower element in a transportation direction; and   at least one receiving hole configured to receive a corresponding projection from an adjacently arranged modular structure,   wherein the at least one connection projection and the at least one receiving hole permit the modular structure and the adjacently arranged modular structure to connect in an aligned manner.   
     
     
         16 . The modular structure of  claim 1 , the lower element further comprising:
 at least one through hole projecting in a transportation direction through a support material formed in the lower element,   wherein the at least one through hole is structured and arranged to receive a tensioning cable so as to connect the modular structure and an adjacently arranged modular structure in an aligned manner.   
     
     
         17 . The modular structure of  claim 7 , wherein the support material comprises concrete. 
     
     
         18 . A method of forming a modular structure, the method comprising:
 forming a bottom element structured and arranged to provide a track support surface and to provide a plurality of upper element attachment structures; and   forming an upper element structured to attach to the bottom element at the plurality of upper element attachment structures, wherein the upper element is configured to sealingly engage with the lower element, wherein forming the bottom element comprises:   shaping a first shell and a second shell;   arranging the first shell relative to the second shell with a gap there between;   arranging at least one filler material in the gap to define at least one space for arranging at least one support material;   supplying the at least one support material into the at least one space; and   hardening the support material to form at least one support element in the gap that securely connects the first shell to the second shell.   
     
     
         19 . The method of forming a modular structure of  claim 18 , the method further comprising removing the at least one filler material from the gap subsequent to the hardening. 
     
     
         20 . The method of forming a modular structure of  claim 18 , further comprising attaching track elements to the bottom element. 
     
     
         21 . A method of forming an enclosed transportation path comprising a plurality of modular structures according to  claim 1 , the method comprising:
 forming respective bottom elements at a first location;   transporting the respective bottom elements from the first location to a job-site location;   installing and connecting the respective bottom elements to form a transportation path structure;   installing and/or connecting track segments of the respective bottom elements to form a transportation track; and   attaching respective upper elements to respective bottom elements of the transportation path structure at the job-site location to form the enclosed transportation path.   
     
     
         22 . The method according to  claim 21 , wherein the installing the track segments of the respective bottom elements is performed prior to the transporting the respective bottom elements from the first location to the job-site location. 
     
     
         23 . The method according to  claim 21 , wherein the transporting the respective bottom elements from the first location to a job-site location comprises transporting the respective bottom elements in a nested manner.