AlphaTube
AlphaTube is EuroTube’s mission to build the world’s first high-speed hyperloop test track that is at the same time capable of demonstrating substantial cost reductions thanks to its innovative construction system.
AlphaTube project partners
- The 3km test track near Collombey/Muraz in Valais (CH) will be built using the latest technology and manufacturing processes and then operated using state-of-the-art IoT and digital control instruments.
- In the project execution phase, the construction methods will not only be tested and applied for the first time but they will also be evaluated for scaling the hyperloop infrastructure on longer routes.
Location
AlphaTube hyperloop demonstrator - system components
Our facilities can accommodate
different standing vehicle designs.
The valve-separated concept foresees
the vehicle entering the tube via an airlock,
to ensure that the vacuum of the tube is not affected,
the airlock is pumped down separately.
Vacuum system:
Pumps can vent the air out of both
the airlock and the tube
down to rough vacuum, sufficient for real-life
vacuum transport tests.
Tube:
The tubes are made from post-tensioned
fibre-reinforced concrete segments.
The tubes are coated in a sealant
to ensure vacuum properties.
Electrical linear drive:
The drive is installed in the track and propels
the vehicle to cruising speed. The track-side installation
of the propulsion allows for a lighter vehicle,
which only has to use its own propulsion
to maintain cruising speed.
Control systems:
All track and vehicle side sensor data
is fed into a control system which
regulates the speed and conctrols
the vacuum system and airlock operation.
- Test vehicle:
Our facilities can accommodate different standing vehicle designs. - Airlock:
The valve-separated concept foresees the vehicle entering the tube via an airlock, to ensure that the vacuum of the tube is not affected, the airlock is pumped down separately.
- Vacuum system:
Pumps can vent the air out of both the airlock and the tube down to rough vacuum sufficient for real-life vacuum transport tests. - Tube:
The tubes are made from post-tensioned fibre-reinforced concrete segments. The tubes are coated in a sealant to ensure vacuum properties.
- Electrical linear drive:
The drive is installed in the track and propels the vehicle to cruising speed. The track-side installation of the propulsion allows for a lighter vehicle, which only has to use its own propulsion to maintain cruising speed. - Control systems:
All track and vehicle side sensor data is fed into a control system which regulates the speed and conctrols the vacuum system and airlock operation.
