The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Jan. 21, 2020
Filed:
Mar. 31, 2017
The Boeing Company, Chicago, IL (US);
Robert Erik Grip, Rancho Palos Verdes, CA (US);
Mark A. DeHaan, Rancho Palos Verdes, CA (US);
John C. Vassberg, Long Beach, CA (US);
Ted K. Rothaupt, Lancaster, CA (US);
The Boeing Company, Chicago, IL (US);
Abstract
A vacuum transport tube vehicle, system, and method for evacuating a vacuum transport tube are provided. The vehicle has a first end having a first end outer surface. An annular gap is formed between the first end outer surface and an inner surface of the vacuum transport tube. The vehicle has a second end having a second end outer diameter, and a body in the form of a piston with a structural framework. The vehicle has an orifice extending from a first inlet portion in the first end to a second outlet portion of the vehicle. The vehicle has a drive assembly coupled to the body, and a power system. The vehicle evacuates the vacuum transport tube by reducing pressure within the tube with each successive vehicle pass through the tube, until a desired pressure is obtained and a vacuum is created in the interior of the tube.