Rabu, 07 Desember 2011

SKY TRAIN SOLAR POWERED MONORAIL

A Next-Generation Solar Powered Overhead-Suspended High-Speed Monorail 


Sky Train Corporation (STC) and STC International, based in Palm Harbor, Florida is a unique team of world-class scientists, engineers, entrepreneurs, and associates all committed to their STC Green Transportation Mission STC in collaboration with the University of Central Florida’s Solar Energy Center (FSEC), designed and developed a solar Overhead-Suspended Light Rail System (OSLR) called Sky Train. A sustainable mass transportation system that made advancements in energy science by passing solar power through an Energy Transfer device to power an elevated light rail monorail and feed excess back to the grid. The Sky Train is designed to move both people and freight high above traffic congestion in a more sustainable form of transportation. The cars are 10ft (3.0m) wide, 40ft to 80ft (12.2m to 24.3m) long with a capacity range from single vehicles up to full subway, it increases passenger comfort, mobility and energy efficiency, at higher average speeds. STC structures use about 4% of the ground space. And with semi-automated offsite manufacturing; they are erected quickly with minimum disruption and relocation of utilities. The design incorporates an innovative solar interface to power this next-generation high-speed monorail, using photovoltaic and ultra capacitor flash charging technology as storage for renewable power resulting in an 80% more efficient system than rubber-tired monorails. Sky Train utilizes a computerized buss that monitors vehicle functions; exchanging kinetic and potential energy, constantly monitoring safety for every start/stop cycle. It has two steel rails in an overhead duct with lighter aviation grade composite car bodies suspended beneath. It is the first patented duo-rail system with major enhancements in the suspended mode. a trainSTC concepts use standard off the shelf components from modern light rail, improving performance, allowing utilization of existing trained rail personnel workforces. One Sky Train OSLR track transports the equivalent of nine automobile lanes. It swings on curves allowing for greater speeds and for passenger comfort. The technology embraces efficiency because it utilizes a dedicated corridor that passes above all ground-based traffic and it boast the lowest carbon footprint of any transportation system in the world. STC’s elevated structure reduces passenger transfer distance, utility relocation costs, traffic impact, length of construction time, eliminates corridors and drainage dividing communities and land use. Designed to continue operating in high winds and flooding, the systems also protect against lightning strikes, houses fiber optics, CCTV, other conduits, and street light installations. The structure reduces impact of terrorism, earthquakes, sand storms or floods. It allows for rescue after a catastrophe. Sky Train addresses the transportation issues of tourism, people transporting to and from airports, shipping ports for rapid and efficient cargo handling. STC’s automated high speed freight movement design solution stands to be a fantastic answer to implementing the government’s mandate to scan all containers proactively for contraband and preventing terrorism. The train loads itself or by guidance from an operator, to full capacity with use of a specialized Grapple which moves the containers, allowing for continuous off loading without interruption. This, along with enhancing public safety, abating climate change, and withstanding nature’s fury, Sky Train could very well be the answer to these challenges. Plus the added value of it being comparatively inexpensive, quick to build, and able to move cargo container handling in a far more efficient manner saving billions annually. Most importantly, the STC systems have the lowest environmental impact using solar and regenerative energy alongside an array of other unique transportation technology enhancements. “Innovations such as this will contribute to a sustainable energy future and provide a fast, safe, practical and socially responsible mode of transportation for people and freight while reducing the environmental impact of transportation,” said Karl Guenther, CEO of STC. The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) awarded STC and FSEC a $100,000 renewable energy collaborative grant, used to develop a future monorail system that will transport visitors throughout the 74 acres of the Museum Of Science and Industry (MOSI) in Tampa, Fla., with plans to connect the system to Busch Gardens and the University of South Florida. STC products (peer reviewed by the National Science Foundation) has gained international recognition and is presently designing with NASA on a proposed planetary system.