I know this has been considered before, but since I was thinking about
it this weekend...
Best,
- Joe
Instead of containers on a track, have a horizontal spinning wheel, suspendedoff the ground by cables, to a central pillar. At the top of the pillar would bea set of very large bearings to bear the load.No rolling friction or wear & tear on any wheels or track. There would be wear& tear on the bearings of course. There would also be balance issues.
wlm_efn@... [spacesettlers] wrote:
> suspended off the ground by cables, to a central pillar. At the top of the pillar
> would be a set of very large bearings to bear the load.
>
> No rolling friction or wear & tear on any wheels or track. There would
> be wear & tear on the bearings of course. There would also be balance issues.
Right. When I say "track" I'm assuming maglev, with wheels only used as
emergency backup. But a suspension structure is an interesting idea.
Best,
- Joe
sailor.barsoom wrote:> One question about the centrifugal train is how do you board and disembark?> You wouldn't stop the whole thing just so one or a few people could leave or arrive.Have tubes that go to the rotational center. The center is not travelling fast butjust rotating. Sort of like a rotating space station is orbit, arrivals and departureswould be done at the center.