The concept of 700mph land travel has moved a step closer with the successful designing of valves which can withstand forces of more than 125 tonnes.
Hyperloop Transportation Technologies says their safety isolation valves are critical safety components for HyperloopTT systems.
The company says the valves are built to precise specifications by GNB KL Group and will isolate sections of hyperloop system tubes to allow for easier system pressurisation for maintenance or emergency.
The full-scale valve is built for commercial operations measuring 16.5 feet (5m) in height and weigh 35 tonnes. They can fully open or close within 30 seconds.
In most emergency scenarios, capsules will stop at pre-determined emergency stations along the route’s length to exit the capsule and tube infrastructure. As a redundant emergency response option, the HyperloopTT system will isolate sections of the tube for re-pressurisation. If the capsule is unable to stop at a pre-defined exit, a lit emergency path in the depressurised tube will lead passengers to emergency hatches to safely exit the infrastructure.
GNB began collaborating with HyperloopTT engineers in 2019. Now complete, the valves will be shipped to the HyperloopTT facility in Toulouse for integration and certification.
“This is science and innovation at work,” said US Congressman Ami Bera. “I applaud HyperloopTT and GNB for not just imagining the future but going out and making it a reality.”
“One of the questions we regularly receive regarding our technology is about safety, especially in emergency scenarios,” added Andres De Leon, CEO of HyperloopTT. “These valves, built to safety certification standards by a world-class leader, are an essential part of hyperloop safety, as they allow us to isolate portions of the track in the event maintenance is needed or in the rare case of an emergency.”
“Working with HyperloopTT has allowed us to showcase our world-class abilities with vacuum parts and technology,” said Ken Harrison, president of GNB. “ We specialise in building specialty valves and chambers for fusion reactors, government science labs, and more, so HyperloopTT’s groundbreaking transportation system is a perfect project for us.”
Watch a video here.
(Picture – HyperloopTT)
