TECHNICAL FIELD

The various aspects relate to an airlock arrangement for a transportation system, in particular to for loading/unloading a vehicle in a low pressure environment.

BACKGROUND

A hyperloop transportation system comprises a low-pressure transportation tube and a transportation pod which is adapted to travel through the low-pressure transportation tube at high velocity. Due to the low pressure environment inside the tube, drag on the pod is greatly reduced allowing energy efficient travel at high speeds. The transportation pod forms an enclosed pressurised cabin in which cargo and/or passengers can take place to be transported across the tube. In order to board and exit the pod from a platform at a station, an access space between an inner wall of the tube and an outer wall of the pod needs to be transited. This access space forms part of the low-pressure environment of the tube and needs to be sealed off from the remainder of the tube to sustain cabin pressure as well as low tube pressure.

In accordance with the general concept of an airlock system, an intermediate space is provided between a low pressure environment and a high pressure environment. By transfer of any persons or goods to be transferred from one environment to the other, the intermediate space is pressurised to the pressure level of a first environment, allowing people and/or goods to enter or be entered via an opening between the first environment and the intermediate space. The intermediate space is closed and sealed and pressure is equahsed to that of the second environment. Finally, an opening is provided between the intermediate space and the second space for people and/or goods to leave the intermediate space. This is a time consuming method of operation.

A system as disclosed by WO2018064351A1 loads and unloads the pod at a terminus of the tube wherein the inner wall of the transportation tube is provided with an O-ring seal between the pod and the tube arranged near the terminus of the tube. The sealed-off access space is in these systems located between a distal end of the pod and the terminus of the tube. A drawback from these systems is that boarding and/or exiting of the pod is only admitted possible at this distal end of the pod.

SUMMARY

It is preferred to provide an airlock arrangement for a

transportation system which can provide improved accessibility of the transportation pod. It is also preferred to minimise the volume of the access space.

A first aspect provides an airlock arrangement for a

transportation system comprising a transportation tube and a

transportation pod adapted to travel through an inner space of the transportation tube. The airlock arrangement comprises a sealing module for sealing-off an access space between a part of the transportation pod on one hand and the transportation tube on the other hand from a remainder of the inner space of the transportation tube, wherein the sealing module comprises at least a first sealing member arranged to be extended into and to be withdrawn from an intermediate space between the transportation tube and the transportation pod, wherein, in the extended state, the first sealing member is in sealing contact with at least one of the transportation tube and the pod.

The extendibility of the first sealing member allows for an unobstructed passage of the pod when the first sealing member is at least partly withdrawn from the intermediate space. It furthermore allows to seal-off an access space between the pod and the tube when the fist sealing member is in the extended state. For example, the extendable first sealing member is first partly withdrawn from the intermediate space such that the pod can arrive at the station or any other applicable location without being obstructed by the sealing module.

The sealing module may be in the inner space of the tube, close to the tube wall to allow the transportation pod to pass. When the pod halts at a station, the first sealing member can be extended into the intermediate space between the inner wall of the tube and the outer wall of the pod to come into seahng contact with the pod and/or the tube. The first sealing member seals-off of the access space from a remainder of the inner space of the tube in an airtight fashion. Subsequently, the access space can be pressurised to approximately the same pressure as inside the cabin of the pod and/or the pressure at the station. The access space is preferably pressurised to approximately atmospheric pressure.

After pressurisation of the access space, access ports of the pod and/or the tube, which provide access to the access space from respectively the cabin of the pod and the outer space of the tube, can be opened. In this way, a passage is formed from the platform of the station to the cabin of the pod and vice versa, to allow passengers and cargo to board or exit the pod.

After boarding, the access ports are closed. Prior to departure of the transportation pod from the station, the first sealing member can be at least partly withdrawn from the intermediate space such that first sealing member is disengaged and does not form an obstruction when the pod departs from the station. The first sealing member may still be in the intermediate space between the pod and the tube. It is preferred to depressurise the access space before disengagement of the seal, in order to sustain the low pressure environment in the inner space of the tube.

In an embodiment, the first sealing member may for example comprise an inflatable part. The first sealing member may be extended into the intermediate space between the pod and the tube by inflation of the inflatable part of the first sealing member, and can be withdrawn from the intermediate space by deflation of the inflatable part.

In an embodiment of the airlock arrangement, in the extended state, the first sealing member is arranged to seal-off an access space between a part of the transportation pod between a distal end of the transportation pod and a proximal end of the transportation pod on one hand and the transportation tube on the other hand from a remainder of the inner space of the transportation tube in which the proximal end and the distal end of the transportation pod are provided.

The airlock arrangement according to this embodiment allows sealing of an access space between a proximal and distal end of the transportation pod. As such, it provides the opportunity to board and exit of the transportation pod from a platform of a station through a door at the side of the transportation pod. The platform of the station may thus be provided adjacent to the transportation pod with respect to its direction of travel.

Moreover, the airlock arrangement according to this embodiment obviates the need for a station to be at a terminus of the tube. Consequently , bifurcation of the tube is not necessarily required at intermediate stations. Furthermore, side door boarding provides the opportunity to include multiple access ports for more efficient boarding.

To provide access to the interior cabin of the pod an access port can be provided in a part of the wall of the pod between the distal and proximal end of the pod. The access port may be provided with at least one door arranged to open and close the access port.

The distal end of the transportation pod may be the front end or the rear end of the transportation pod. It is to be noted that the proximal end of the transportation pod comprises an end of the transportation pod opposite to the distal end the transportation pod. In order to provide access from the platform of a station to the inner space of the tube, the tube may also be provided with an access port. The access port of the tube is

preferably provided with at least one door for opening and closing of access port.

The access port of the transportation pod and the access port of the transportation tube are preferably substantially ahgned with respect to one another prior to extension of the first sealing member into the

intermediate space between the transportation pod and the transportation tube. In addition, the transportation pod may be provided with multiple access ports, for example on opposite sides of the pod, which allows quick boarding and exiting of the pod, thereby minimising the times between at least two of arrival, disembarking, embarking and departure. Also, the transportation tube may be provided with multiple access ports at a station, wherein the locations and number of access ports correspond to those of the pod. Accordingly, the airlock arrangement may be provided with multiple sealing members to seal off the multiple access ports. For example, the sealing members are provided in pairs of two sealing members wherein, the two seahng members of each pair are provided on opposite sides of the pod. Similarly, access ports of the pod are arranged in pairs of two access ports, wherein the two access ports of each pair are provided on opposite sides of the pod. Extension of the sealing members into the intermediate space can thus occur at opposite sides of the pod and in opposite directions. As such the pod can be clamped between the opposite sealing members to keep the pod secured and centred in the transportation tube, while at a station.

Moreover, the sealing members may be arranged to support the weight of pod while in their clamping positions.

The multiple seahng members are optionally extended and withdrawn into and from the intermediate space synchronously, such that the sealing members engage and disengage with the pod and/or the tube at substantially the same time to prevent offsetting of the pod. Optionally, the extension and/or withdrawal of the sealing members is actuated with a single actuator. This limits the risk that, in case of failure of an actuator of a multitude of separate actuators, the remaining actuators offset the pod.

Multiple access ports may be separated from one another, for example when two access ports are provided at opposite sides of the pod. Accordingly, the access space may comprise multiple access sub-spaces, each access sub-space corresponding to an respective access port. Those access sub-spaces can be pressurised and/or depressurised simultaneously to reduce the overall load on the transportation system induced by pressure variations between the access sub-spaces. Accordingly, pressure

equalisation means may be provided for equalising pressures between access sub-spaces. In particular, the pressure equalisation means may be provided for equalising a pressure between pairs of access sub-spaces being located on opposite sides of the pod. The multiple access sub-spaces may for example be brought in fluid communication, for example by means of a vent or an air channel, to equalise air pressures between the access sub-spaces.

In an embodiment of the airlock arrangement, the extendable seal further comprises a second sealing member arranged to be extended into and to be withdrawn from the intermediate space, wherein the first sealing member and the second sealing member are provided at a distance from one another along the length of the pod and arranged to provide a first seal and a second seal, respectively, circumferentially around the transportation pod such that the access space is provided at a part of the transportation pod between a distal end of the transportation pod and a proximal end of the transportation pod. With this configuration, the first and second sealing member can be extended in the intermediate space such that the first and second sealing members are wedged between the pod and the tube. This embodiment enhances sealing while simultaneously fixating the pod with respect to the tube. ί

It furthermore allows to seal-off access spaces, between the first sealing member and the second sealing member, wherein an access area can be provided for providing access to the interior cabin of the transportation pod. The access space is defined between the outer wall of the pod and the inner wall of the tube and in between the two sealing members. In this configuration, the transportation pod can be provided with multiple access areas, for example two access areas on opposite sides of the transportation pod wherein the access areas are situated within the same sealed-off access space.

In another embodiment of the airlock arrangement, the first sealing element is arranged for providing a seal around a perimeter of a pod access area comprising at least a first access port of the transportation pod. This provides a minimal volume access space to be sealed-off such that operating costs of pressurisation and/or depressurisation of the access space is minimised. It is to be understood that the first sealing member can be configured around the perimeter of the access port such that first sealing member extends around substantially the whole access port. As such, the configuration of the first sealing member is not limited to a particular shape.

The perimeter of the access port may have a substantially rectangular shape, and the sealing element may extend around the substantially rectangular perimeter in a circular fashion. It is preferred to have a certain safety margin between the perimeter of the access port and the contact area of the first sealing member with the pod, to anticipate possible misalignments between the first sealing member and the access port.

In another embodiment of the airlock arrangement, the first sealing element is arranged for providing a seal around a perimeter of a tube access area comprising at least a first access port of the transportation tube. When the transportation pod arrives at the station it is preferred that the access port of the tube is substantially aligned with the access port. It is also preferred that the access port of the tube and the access port of the pod are of substantially similar shape. When the pod is at a station, it is preferred that the extendable seal is configured around a perimeter of the access port of the pod as well as around the access port of the tube.

A further embodiment of the airlock arrangement further comprises an air flow control module for at least one of supplying air to and withdrawing air from the access space. Sudden elimination of the low pressure environment within the sealed-off access space, especially in the vicinity of people is undesirable and may be dangerous. It is therefore preferred to pressurise the sealed-off access space prior to opening of an access port of the tube or pod by means of an air flow control module. The air flow control module may be part of the transportation pod, such that a single air flow control module can be used for every station the pod calls.

The air flow control module may also be a part of the

transportation tube, to reduce the weight of the transportation pod.

Optionally the air flow control module may comprise an optionally pre pressurised chamber arranged to be pressurised during transit of the pod. After the access space is sealed-off the access space can be quickly

pressurised by fluidly connecting the pre-pressurised chamber with the access space. Optionally, the air flow control unit may be arranged to inflate a part of the first and/or second sealing member to enhance sealing and/or to extend the first and/or second sealing member into the intermediate space between the outer wall of the transportation pod and the inner wall of the transportation tube.

When the sealed-off access space is brought at approximately atmospheric pressure by means of the air flow control module, for example before boarding the transportation pod at a station, it is preferred to depressurise the access space before departure of the transportation pod. This can be done by withdrawing air from the access space by means of the air flow control unit. This is to sustain a low-pressure environment in the internal space of the tube as this is crucial for minimising drag to the pod.

Optionally, the air flow control module may be arranged in the transportation pod such that the air withdrawn from the access space can be used for life support systems and/or air spring suspension systems of the transportation pod. Optionally, the air flow control module comprises a pre vacuum chamber arranged to be depressurised for instance during boarding of the transportation pod.

After boarding, when access ports of the pod and/or tube are closed, the access space can be depressurised by fluidly connecting the pre vacuum chamber with the access space. This way the depressurisation process of the access space may be accelerated. Optionally, the air flow control unit may be arranged to depressurise a part of the first and/or second sealing member to withdraw and/or extend the first and/or second sealing member in the intermediate space between the outer wall of the transportation pod and the inner wall of the transportation tube.

In a further preferred embodiment of the airlock arrangement, the airlock arrangement further comprises a positioning module arranged to position the outer wall of the transportation pod relative to the inner wall of the transportation tube. Positioning of the pod relative to the tube can be advantageous for aligning an access port of the transportation pod with an access port of the transportation tube. This can minimise the volume of the access space to be sealed-off from a remainder of the tube and can reduce pressurisation and/or depressurisation costs. Furthermore, the positioning module may exert a force onto the sealing module to enhance sealing.

The sealing module can also exert a force on the outer wall of the transportation pod to enhance sealing. As a result of the exerted pressing force of the sealing module, the transportation pod may be pushed away from the tube wall in absence of a counter force. The positioning module may also at least party fixate the pod relative to the tube to provide a counter force. The positioning module, may be comprised by the

transportation pod, to position the pod appropriately at any station. The positioning module can for example comprise multiple magnetisable elements.

A first magnetisable element may optionally be provided on the transportation pod and a second magnetisable element can be provided on the inner wall of the tube. The magnetisable elements can position the pod relative to the tube by an attraction and/or repelling force between the element on the pod and the element on the tube wall. The positioning module may also push and/or pull the transportation tube towards the inner wall of the transportation tube to enhance sealing. The positioning module can also be a passive element, such as a protrusion. A protrusion can for example be provided on a side of the transportation pod opposite an the sealing module to form an abutment.

At least one of the positioning module and the sealing module may further comprise mechanical mating members; the mechanical mating members may form a part of the sealing module and/or may be provided as being comprised by a separate positioning module. Mechanical mating members can for example be a hook-loop arrangement. The outer wall of the transportation pod can for example be provided with a hook and the inner wall of the transportation tube may be provided with a loop. The hook and loop can be arranged to mate such that a coupling is estabhshed between the pod and the tube. As such, the transportation pod can be positioned relative to the transportation tube.

Optionally, the mating members comprise a male and a female element. The male element can be inserted into the female element to align the pod with respect to the tube. The male element may for example comprise a protrusion whereas the female element comprises a recess. The male and female elements be substantially tapered such that the male can be easily inserted into the female element, wherein precise alignment can be achieved by further advancing the male element into the female element. The pod may for instance be provided with a female element, such as recess or groove, to minimise drag of the pod. The female element is arranged to mate with a male element, such as a protrusion, of the seahng member.

A multitude of female elements may be provided on the transportation pod, to mate with a corresponding number and associated male elements. The multitude of female elements, e.g. a multitude of holes or grooves, may be distributed over an outer surface of the pod. Associated male elements, e.g. a multitude of pins, may for example be provided on the sealing module and/or transportation tube to mate with the female elements.

A female element or a multitude of female elements can for example be provided in the pod circumferentially around the access space such that the male element of the sealing member mates with the female element when the sealing member is extended into the intermediate space between the pod and the tube. This way alignment of the pod and sealing of the access space is integrated efficiently. Also, sealing and alignment may be enhanced by pressurising the access space, which pushes the male element harder, i.e. with greater force, into the female element. In

particular, the male element is pushed outwardly, i.e. in a direction substantially transverse to the longitudinal direction of the male element, and is thereby pushed against a side wall of the female element.

Sealing may further be enhanced by providing the male and/or female element with a resilient member. Optionally, two sealing members may be provided on opposite sides of the pod which, by clamping the pod, also enhance the sealing and alignment. Such implementation does not preclude the first sealing element or second sealing element being provided separately from the mating members.

The mechanical mating members may further be provided with an actuator which can exert a force on the mechanical mating members to actively push/or pull the pod towards the tube in order to enhance sealing. The mechanical mating members may further comprise a resilient member, such as a spring element, to allow a certain degree of resilience in the positioning of the pod.

In another embodiment of the airlock arrangement, the airlock arrangement further comprises a locking module for providing a locking engagement between the pod and the tube. The locking module establish a coupling between the inner wall of the transportation tube and the outer wall of the transportation pod to fixate the pod relative to the tube wall. In this way the first seahng member can be extended in the intermediate space between the pod and the tube to engage sealing between the outer wall of the pod and the inner wall of the tube.

Sealing may be enhanced by pressing the first sealing member against the inner wall of the tube and/or the outer wall of the pod wherein the locking module can retain the pod in position relative to the tube wall. The locking module may for example comprise a first locking part provided on the pod and a second locking part provided on the tube wherein the first and second locking parts are arranged to couple to one another to provide a locking engagement between the tube and the pod.

An implementation of the locking module can be a hook/loop arrangement, wherein the pod comprises a first one of a hook and a loop, and wherein the tube comprises a second one of the hook and the loop.

In another embodiment of the airlock arrangement, the first sealing element comprises a resilient member for engaging with at least one of an outer wall of the pod and the inner wall of the tube. When engaged the resilient member can adapt to the contour of the inner wall of the tube and/or outer wall of the pod to seal-off the access space from a remainder of the inner space of the tube in an airtight fashion.

In another embodiment of the airlock arrangement, the first sealing member comprises an inflatable member which extends upon being inflated. This provides effective way of extending and withdrawing the first sealing member into the intermediate space by respectively inflating and deflating the infl table member.

The inflatable member may be inflated such as to engage with the inner wall of the tube and/or the outer wall of the pod. The inflatable member can adapt to the contour of the inner wall of the tube and/or the outer wall of the pod to engage sealing. Inflation of the inflatable member can be done with a fluid, for example a gas.

In a second aspect, a transportation pod is provided with an airlock arrangement according to the first aspect. This may reduce the number of seals as the airlock arrangement can be reused at every station the pod is calling.

In a third aspect, a transportation tube is provided with an airlock arrangement according to the first aspect. By providing the transportation tube with the airlock arrangement the overall weight of the transportation pod can be reduced.

In a fourth aspect, a transportation system is provided with a transportation pod according to the second aspect, and a transportation tube, wherein the transportation pod is adapted to travel through the inner space of the transportation tube.

In a fifth aspect, a transportation system is provided with a transportation tube according to the third aspect, and a transportation pod, wherein the transportation pod is adapted to travel through the inner space of the transportation tube.

As sixth aspect provides an airlock arrangement for a

transportation system comprising a transportation tube and a

transportation pod adapted to travel through an inner space of the transportation tube, the arrangement comprising a sealing module for sealing-off an access space between a part of the transportation pod on one hand and the transportation tube on the other hand from a remainder of the inner space of the transportation tube. In the sixth aspect, the arrangement further comprises a positioning module arranged to position the pod relative to the transportation tube such that a first area of the outer wall at a side of the pod is aligned with a second area of the inner wall at a side of the transportation tube and such that the sealing module seals off the access space between the first area and the second area from a further space between the transportation pod and the transportation tube.

Rather than bridging the gap between one of the transportation tube and the transportation pod by moving the sealing module or part thereof, the gap may also be bridged by positioning the transportation pod and a side of the transportation tube relative to one another such that the sealing module seals off a space directly between the two areas from the rest of the inner space of the transportation tube. Preferably, the pod is moved.

This aspect forms one inventive concept with the first aspect in the sense that an intermediate sealed off space is provided between an outer sidewall of the transportation pod and an inner sidewall of the

transportation tube, by moving the sealing module, connected to at least a first one of the transportation tube and the transportation pod, relative to at least a second one of the transportation tube and the transportation pod. Hence, one or more of the sealing module on one hand and at least one of the pod and the tube may be moved.

The arrangement according to the sixth arrangement may be employed in the second through fifth aspect specified above, as an

alternative to the first aspect. Furthermore, the embodiments and

implementations of the first aspect may be implemented to the sixth aspect, to the extend compatible. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

The various aspects and embodiments thereof will now be discussed in conjunction with drawings. In the drawings:

Fig. 1A shows the airlock arrangement with the sealing module in an extended state;

Fig. IB shows the airlock arrangement with the sealing module partly withdrawn from the intermediate space;

Fig. 2 shows a top view of the transportation pod provided in the internal space of the transportation tube with two sealing modules provided on opposite sides of the transportation pod;

Fig. 3A shows the airlock arrangement wherein the first sealing member is configured around a perimeter of access port of the

transportation pod;

Fig. 3B shows the airlock arrangement wherein the first and second sealing members are configured circumferentially around the transportation pod.

Fig. 4A shows an airlock arrangement wherein the sealing and alignment are integrated, with the sealing module partly withdrawn from the intermediate space;

Fig. 4B shows an airlock arrangement wherein the sealing and alignment are integrated, with the sealing module in sealing engagement with the pod;

Fig. 5A-5C show a close-up of an alignment module of the airlock arrangement.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

Fig. 1A shows the airlock arrangement with a seahng module 1 comprising a first sealing member 6. The sealing module 1 is in an extended state and comprises a movable part 2 extending partly in the intermediate space between an inner wall of the transportation tube 4 and an outer wall of the transportation pod 5. On a surface of the movable part 2 the first sealing member 6 is provided, wherein the first sealing member 6 is implemented as an inflatable sealing member. The transportation pod 5 comprises an access port 12 comprising a door 13 which can open and close the access port 12 to allow boarding and exiting of the transportation pod 5 through the access port 12. The inflatable first sealing member 6 is arranged around a perimeter of the access port 12 of the transportation pod 5.

The inflatable first sealing member 6 is inflated and in contact with the outer wall of the transportation pod 5 to seal-off an access space 10, preferably in an airtight fashion, between the inner wall of the tube 4 and the outer wall of the pod 5 from a remainder 11 of the inner space of the transportation tube 4. The inflatable first sealing member 6 can be inflated by means of a sealing pump 8.

Upon engagement of the first sealing member 6 the access space 10 can be pressurised by means of an access pump 14. It may also be possible to integrate the access pump 14 and the sealing pump 8 into a single pump. In the wall of the transportation tube 4 there is provided an access port 15 comprising a door 16 to open and close the access port 15. The access port of the transportation pod 12 and the access port of the

transportation tube 15 are substantially aligned to minimise the distance between the two access ports 12, 15 thereby minimising the volume of the access space 10 to be pressurised and/or depressurised.

In order to align the access port of transportation pod 12 with the access port of the transportation tube 15, the pod 5 can be positioned by means of a magnetisable positioning module 17. The magnetisable

positioning module 17 may for example comprise a permanent magnet and/or an electromagnet.

The magnetisable positioning module 17 is furthermore arranged to push/pull the transportation pod 5 towards the access port of the tube 15 to exert a force on the inflatable first sealing member 6. In Fig. 1A, the pod comprises a first magnetisable element and the tube comprises a second magnetisable element, being arranged such that the first and second magnetisable elements attract. Due to the attractive force the pod 5 is pulled towards the tube wall to position and fixate the pod 5 relative to the tube 4 such that the access ports 12, 15 of the pod and the tube are

substantially aligned. Moreover, the attractive force enhances sealing between the pod 5 and tube 4.

It may also be possible to position the pod 5 relative to the tube 4 with mechanical positioning module 17. For example, the pod 5 may comprise a first one of a hook and a loop, and the tube may comprise a second one of the hook and the loop. The positioning module 17 can also comprise an actuator arranged to exert a force on the pod 5 such that the pod 5 is forced towards the wall of the tube 4 in order minimise the volume of the access space 10 and/or to enhance sealing.

Optionally, the positioning module 17 can comprise multiple positioning members which can be provided to evenly distribute the pushing/pulling force and/or to exert a greater force onto the first sealing member 6. For example, a further positioning member may be provided at an opposite side of the access port 12 of the pod 5. To enhance sealing, also the inflatable first sealing member 6 can be pressed against the outer wall of the transportation pod 5.

In another embodiment, which may be combined with the previous embodiments of the positions modules, a positioning module may be provided at a side of the pod 5 opposite to where the access ports 12 are provided. In this embodiment, the positioning module actively pushed the pod 5 away from an opposite wall of the tube, which opposite wall is opposite from the wall of the tube in which the access ports 15, 16 are provided. This embodiment may, for example, be further implemented by means of an elongate member like a beam or a rod that may be moved inwardly in the transportation tube 4, from the opposite wall.

The elongate member or elongate members push the pod 5 towards the first sealing member 6 until a space between the access ports 12 of the pod 5 and the access ports 15 of the transportation tube 4 is sealed off from the rest of the inner space of the tube 4. Alternatively or additionally, such elongate members may be moved outside of the pod 5 in the direction of the opposite wall. Locking means for fixing the pod 5 to the tube 4 may be additionally provided, but are not required if the force pushing the pod 5 to the first sealing member 6 provides sufficient frictional force to maintain the pod 5 at its position.

It is noted that in such embodiments, with the availability of the positioning module 17, either with or without fixating elements like

magnets, hooks and loops and other, movement of the first sealing member 6 is not an essentiality for providing a sealed space between the access ports 12 of the pod 5 and the access ports 15 of the transportation tube 4.

Before departure of the pod, the doors 13, 16 of the access ports 12, 15 need to be closed, whereupon the access pump 14 may depressurise the access space 10. The depressurisation step of the access space 10 may also be omitted to decrease boarding/exiting time. The access pump 14 can also comprise a pre-vacuum chamber arranged to be depressurised in advance to rapidly depressurise the access space 10. This can for example be done by bringing the pre-vacuum chamber in fluid communication with the access space 10.

Fig. IB shows the airlock arrangement wherein the sealing module 1 is partly withdrawn from the intermediate space between the pod and the tube. In particular, the movable part 2 if the sealing module 1 is partly withdrawn from the intermediate space between the inner wall of the transportation tube 4 and the outer wall of the transportation pod 5, to provide an unobstructed passage for the transportation pod 5. Moreover, the inflatable first sealing member 6 is also partly withdrawn from the intermediate space by being deflated.

It may also be possible to withdraw and/or extend the movable part 2 of the seahng module 1 without deflating the first sealing member 6. The movable part 2 can for example press the first sealing member 6 against the transportation pod 5 to engage sealing. In another

implementation, the inflatable first sealing member 6 may be provided on the transportation pod 5, such that the movable part 2 extends from the tube 4 wall towards the pod 5 to come in sealing contact with the first sealing member 6.

Before departure of the pod 5, the movable part 2 may be at least partly withdrawn and/or the inflatable first sealing member 6 can be withdrawn by deflation to disengage the seal and provide an unobstructed passage for the pod 5.

Fig. 2 shows a top view of the airlock arrangement wherein two sealing modules 1 are arranged on opposite sides of the transportation pod 5. A first sealing module 1 is depicted on the right side in Fig. 2 wherein the first sealing module 1 is in the extended state and wherein the seal is engaged.

A further sealing module 1 is depicted on the left side in Fig. 2 wherein the further sealing module 1 is partly withdrawn from the intermediate space. The first sealing module 1 seals-off an access space 10 between the inner wall of the tube 4 on one hand and an outer wall of the pod 5 between a distal 18 end and a proximal end 19 on the other hand.

The access space 10 is sealed-off from a remainder of the tube 11 wherein the distal end 18 and the proximal end 19 are provided. As such, the pod 5 can be boarded and exited through a side access port 12 which is provided with a door 13. The inflatable first sealing member 6 is arranged around a perimeter of the access port of the transportation tube 15. The transportation pod 5 is positioned relative to the

transportation tube 4 such that the access ports 12, 15 are substantially aligned by means of magnetisable positioning module 17 arranged on opposite sides of the access ports 12, 15. The pod is also fixated by means of the positioning module 17. A separate locking module may also be provided to lock the pod 5 to the tube 4 in the desired position. The locking module may provide additional safety to the airlock arrangement.

A first part of the positioning module 17A is provided on the movable part 2 of the sealing member 1 and a second part 17B is provided on the outer wall of the transportation pod 5. The first part 17A of the positioning module 17 may also be provided at the inner wall of the transportation tube 4. The positioning module 17 can exert a force on the transportation pod 5 to push/pull the pod towards the inner wall of the transportation tube 4 onto the sealing member 1 to enhance sealing.

Fig. 3 A shows a side view of the airlock arrangement wherein the transportation pod 5 is provided at the inner space of the transportation tube 4. The first seahng member 6 is configured around a perimeter of the access port of the tube 12, wherein the access port comprises two doors 13 for opening and closing the doors. In Fig. 3A the first sealing member 6 is configured closely around a contour of the access port 12. It is envisioned that the first seahng member 6 can be configured more widely around the perimeter of the access port 12 to provide a greater degree of tolerance in the alignment of the access port of the pod with respect to the access port of tube 15.

It may also be possible to provide another sealing member around a perimeter of the access space 12, outside of the sealing member 6 with respect to the access space 12, for providing additional safety. This other sealing member may serve as a backup in case the sealing member 6 fails. The access port 12 of the pod is provided at a part of the between a distal end 18 and a proximal end 19 of the pod. The sealing module 1 comprises an inflatable sealing member 6, for sealing off an access space 10 from a remainder of the tube 11 in which the distal 18 and proximal 19 ends are provided.

Fig. 3B shows a side view of the airlock arrangement wherein the transportation pod 5 is provided at the inner space of the transportation tube 4. In Fig. 3B a first sealing member 1A and a second sealing member IB are provided at a distance from one another along the length of the pod 5 and arranged to provide a first seal and a second seal, respectively, circumferentially around the transportation pod 5.

The sealing members 1A, IB both comprise an inflatable sealing member 6A,6B. The inflatable sealing members 6A,6B are substantially parallel to one another, and seal off an access space 10 between the inner wall of the tube 4 and the outer wall of the pod 5. The access space is sealed- off from a remainder of the tube wherein the distal 18 and proximal end 19 of the pod are provided. There may for example be a further access port provided on opposite side of the transportation pod 5 which also is provided in the sealed off access space 10.

Fig. 4A shows a further configuration of the airlock arrangement, wherein the sealing module partly protrudes in the intermediate space. The pod 5 is slightly misaligned in the tube 4. The sealing module 1 comprises a sealing member 6 which comprises a resilient member for providing a sealing contact with the pod 5.

The sealing module further comprises an alignment module comprising a first of a male alignment element 20 and a female alignment element 22 arranged to mate with a second one of a male alignment element 20 and a female alignment element 22 for securing and aligning - in particular centring - the pod 5 with respect to the transportation tube 4.

The alignment module comprised by the sealing module is a further positioning module that may be used in addition to or as an alternative to the positioning module and in particular the magnetisable positioning module as discussed in conjunction with Fig. 1 and Fig. 2. If both alternatives are used in one and the same configuration, they from a compound positioning module as a positioning module.

In the embodiment depicted by Fig. 4 A, the alignment module as comprised by the seahng module comprises the male alignment element 20. Moreover, the alignment module, and particularly the male alignment element 20 and female alignment element 22 are arranged to hold at least part of the weight of the pod in a sealing configuration.

The female alignment element 22 is in this example provided on the pod, and the male alignment element 20 is provided on the sealing member 6. Alternatively, the female alignment element 22 is provided on the sealing member 6 and the male alignment element 20 may be provided on the pod. The female alignment element 22 may comprise one or more holes or ridges surrounding one or more access ports 12 and the male alignment element 20 may comprise a protrusion, such as a rigid pin, for fitting in the female alignment element 22.

The female element may be provided with a resilient material to enhance sealing. The male 20 and female alignment element 22 are arranged to mate with each other when the sealing member 6 is extended into the intermediate space. In particular, the male alignment element 20 is inserted into the female alignment element 22. When the sealing member 6 sealingly engages with the pod 5, the access space between the pod and the tube is pressurised. In the extended or mated position, the male alignment element 20 may be used to support the weight of the pod 5 in vertical direction.

Fig. 4B shows a configuration of the airlock arrangement, wherein the sealing module is extended into the intermediate space, and wherein the sealing module seals off an access space between a part of the

transportation pod 5 on one hand and the transportation tube 4 on the other hand from a remainder of the inner space of the transportation tube. The male and female alignment elements 20, 22 are mated, i.e. the male alignment elements 20 have advances into the female alignment elements 22, such as to centre and secure the pod 5 in the tube 4.

The access ports of the tube 15 and of the pod 12 are aligned to provide a passage between an interior of the pod and a platform exterior of the tube. In the sealed configuration of Fig. 4B, said passage is pressurised to about ambient or atmospheric pressure substantially equal an air pressure exteriorly of the tube, by means of access pump 14. In the example of Fig. 4A and 4B, a single access pump 14 is provided to achieve

substantially equal pressures on both sides of the pod, in order to keep loads on the pod balanced. Moreover, through an air channel 26, the access sub spaces on either side of the pod are brought in fluid communication with each other to obtain substantially equal air pressures on either side of the pod.

In the sealed configuration of Fig. 4B, the pod 5 is clamped between two sealing members, which sealing members are provided on opposite sides of the pod 5. Also, a weight of the pod may be supported by the sealing module. In an embodiment, sealing members for securing a passage from outside the tube 4 into the pod 5 are provided at only one side of the tube 4 and the pod 5; at the other side, only alignment members are provided and sealing members may not necessarily be provided.

Fig. 5A, 5B, 5C show 3 detailed views of three respective stages of an alignment module for an airlock arrangement. The alignment module comprises a male alignment element 20 and a female alignment element 22 which are arranged to meet with each other. The pod 5 may be provided with either the male 20 or the female alignment element 21. In Figure 5A, 5B, 5C, the pod is provided with the female ahgnment element 22 to minimise the overall aerodynamic drag of the pod.

The sealing module may be provided with the male alignment element 20 for example on the extendable part of the sealing module that is extendable into the intermediate space between the tube and the pod. The male alignment element 20 is insertable into the female alignment element 22 for precise alignment of the pod 5 with respect to the tube and align the access port of the pod with to the sealing module.

In a first stage, shown in Figure 5A, the pod halts at a station wherein the male and female alignment element 20, 22 are not aligned. Similarly, the access openings of the pod and the tube are not aligned. The male alignment element 20 may have a tapered tip to facilitate insertion into the female alignment element 22. This way, even in case there is a slight misalignment between the male and female 20, 22 ahgnment elements, the male alignment element 20 is guided into the female alignment element 22. Similarly, the female alignment element 22 has a reception opening which has a cross section wider than a cross section of the male alignment element 20 to facihtate the mating.

Furthermore, a sealing member 6 is provided. The sealing member 6 is arranged to be inserted into a sealing recess 24 of the pod. Alignment of the sealing member 6 with the sealing recess 24 is facilitated by the male and female alignment elements 20, 22. Once the sealing member 6 is in sealing engagement with the pod inside the sealing recess 24, as shown in Figure 5B, the access space is pressurised in preparation for providing a passage for passengers or freight to enter and exit the pod. In this example, the access space is located below the alignment module.

Accordingly, pressurised air in the access space presses the sealing member 6 outwardly, i.e. in a direction perpendicular to an extension direction in which the sealing member 6 is extended into the intermediate space. The sealing member 6 is consequently pushed against a side wall of the sealing recess 24 as an abutment, optionally aided by a flexible and preferably resilient nature of the sealing member 6. This is shown in Figure 5C. This way, sealing is enhanced. Moreover, less sealing force may be required in the extension direction by the sealing module. The sealing member 6 may optionally be expandable, such as inflatable, to enhance the sealing engagement of the sealing member in the recess 24. The sealing member 6 preferably comprises rubber or another elastomer. Alternatively or additionally, the male element comprises a steel mesh providing sufficient rigidity and resilience to properly provide this functionality.

The sealing member 6 and the alignment elements and the male alignment element 20 in particular may combined by providing the male alignment element 20 with the sealing member 6. Alternatively, the sealing member 6 is provided separately, as depicted by Figure 5. In particular in the latter implementation, the male alignment element 20 may be provided as a rigid structure that, in a particular embodiment, is arranged to exert a force on inner walls the female alignment member 22 for aligning the pod and carry at least part of the weight of the pod 5. The seahng member 6 may in such implementation be flexible and preferably resilient to provide the sealing functionality as discussed above. Additionally, the male alignment member 20 and/or the female alignment member may be provided with a flexible and preferably resilient material for providing additional sealing.

In summary, an arrangement for providing an intermediate sealed off space is provided between an outer sidewall of the transportation pod and an inner sidewall of the transportation tube, by moving the sealing module, connected to at least a first one of the transportation tube and the transportation pod, relative to at least a second one of the transportation tube and the transportation pod. Hence, one or more of the sealing module on one hand and at least one of the pod and the tube may be moved. In the space between the pod and the tube thus sealed off from the rest of the inner space of the tube, doors are provided at the inner wall of the tube and the outer wall of the pod. This allows transfer of goods and people from and into the pod at atmospheric pressure, while low pressure is maintained in the rest of the tube. In the description above, it will be understood that when an element such as layer, region or substrate is referred to as being“on” or “onto” another element, the element is either directly on the other element, or intervening elements may also be present. Also, it will be understood that the values given in the description above, are given by way of example and that other values may be possible and/or may be strived for.

The skilled person will realise that, unless explicitly stated to the contrary , positions of male and female members may be interchanged between engaging modules that engage by means of such male and female members.

Furthermore, the various aspects may also be embodied with less components than provided in the embodiments described here, wherein one component carries out multiple functions. Just as well may the aspects be embodied using more elements than depicted in the Figures, wherein functions carried out by one component in the embodiment provided are distributed over multiple components.

It is to be noted that the figures are only schematic

representations of embodiments of the inventive aspects that are given by way of non-limiting examples. For the purpose of clarity and a concise description, features are described herein as part of the same or separate embodiments, however, it will be appreciated that the scope of the inventive aspects may include embodiments having combinations of all or some of the features described.

The word‘comprising’ does not exclude the presence of other features or steps than those listed in a claim. Furthermore, the words 'a' and 'an' shall not be construed as limited to 'only one', but instead are used to mean 'at least one', and do not exclude a plurality.

A person skilled in the art. will readily appreciate that various parameters and values thereof disclosed in the description may be modified and that various embodiments disclosed and/or claimed may be combined without departing from the scope of the various aspects.

It is stipulated that the reference signs in the claims do not limit the scope of the claims, but are merely inserted to enhance the legibility of the claims.