UniModal

:For the use of "unimodal" in mathematics and statistics, see Unimodal function

UniModal Inc. or "UniModal Transport Solutions Inc." is the company developing SkyTran, a patented personal rapid transit (PRT) system designed by inventor Douglas Malewicki. SkyTran proposes to use light-weight, 2-passenger vehicles on elevated passive magnetic levitation tracks that can be supported by standard utility poles. Malewiki predicts energy efficiencies equivalent to at least 200 miles per gallon at the proposed city-speeds of 100 miles per hour.

The all-permanent-magnet Inductrack is the largest conceptual difference between SkyTran and other PRT systems in development. Because Inductrack does not require superconducting magnets and levitates at a low speed, it is feasible for SkyTran's light-weight vehicles. Inductrack is under intensive research by General Atomics, Lawrence Livermore national Laboratory, Advanced Maglev Systems, Unimodal and others in cooperation with NASA, Navy and USDOT.

According to Jerry Spellman (Public Relations spokesman for UniModal), "A 1,000 foot loop, two-vehicle MagLev prototype is under development through as US Department of Transportation Contract, with assistance from NASA's Center for Advanced Manufacturing, and private investment dollars."

The design has not been proven by a full-scale demonstration, but the crucial technologies have been. For instance, the company General Atomics has built a full-scale model of the Inductrack passive magnetic levitation system.

Other components, such as speaker-independent speech recognition to interact with riders, have been demonstrated in other industries but may still pose issues.

Advanced Maglev Systems is working as strategic partner with Unimodal Inc. in the development of SkyTran. Advanced Maglev Systems has been working with NASA and Navy in the development of systems using Inductrack system to launch rockets and aircraft.

System details

The system is designed to have few moving parts, the main ones being the pod itself, its parking-wheels and door, and fans in heating and air conditioning units. The promoters refer to the system as "solid state".

Guideway
Malewiki proposes a 3D grid design that avoids intersections by allowing tracks to cross above or below each other. Tracks would be mounted on poles about 30 feet above the ground and would be made of modular steel components, attached to cemented foundations.

Vehicles
The design of SkyTran's vehicals, called pods, is aerodynamically streamlined to be as efficient as possible. The tandem design (one seat behind the other) allows the vehicle's aerodynamic footprint to be greatly reduced in comparison to vehicles that situate seats side-by-side. Above two mph the Inductrack would lift the vehicle off the guideway - below two mph, wheels would support the vehicle.

Magnetic levitation
The magnetic levitation system would be the passive Inductrack system. Passive maglev requires no direct power to levitate vehicles, rather the lift is caused by the movement of the vehicle over the coiled wire in the track. Inductrack, invented by Dr. Richard Post of the American Lawrence Livermore National Laboratories, has been proposed for several maglev transportation systems including railroad cars and rocket launchers, and at least one full-sized prototype has been built by General Atomics, Inc., which received a 2004 R&D 100 award for the project.

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