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[...] "When the train cruises at its optimal speed of 500 km/h, the energy it consumes is roughly one third of that of current high-speed trains in commercial service and one sixth of the maglev trains," according to Lai.
The new design of an annular spoiler is one of the highlights of the novel aerotrain. Different from the traditional, vertical spoilers which tend to produce unstable airflow, the annular spoiler can increase the lift-drag ratio by 30% to 40%.'
Source: China, Japan co-developing an 'aerotrain' with wings
Meanwhile, in California's Silicon Valley, recruiters - from across the country, with broken English skills - are trying to force everyone to work as a temporary employee, for hourly wages last seen - by everyone except H1-Bs - in the 1990s.
(Score: 3, Interesting) by PhilSalkie on Thursday April 26 2018, @05:22PM (6 children)
Anytime I see a phrase like that my B.S. detectors instantly get set to MAXIMUM. The article's author seems to think that this is some sort of free power source, but (barring changes to the laws of thermodynamics) at best it could be some sort of minimalist regenerative braking system. Makes me wonder if this is going to get funded through an ICO...
(Score: 3, Insightful) by bob_super on Thursday April 26 2018, @05:38PM (1 child)
Additionally:
> The aerotrain does not run on traditional fuel but can be powered by solar energy and wind power with pneumatic motors.
I need a new BS detector. I keep getting the extra-range ones, but the last couple years have really made my supplier rich.
Also, look at the picture in TFA. Narrower body than a train, but with a much wider footprint, and enough wings to offset any friction gains compared to a train.
This is a designer listening to his 8 yr-old boy, not a realistic proposal.
(Score: 3, Funny) by Nuke on Thursday April 26 2018, @07:54PM
You don't understand - it's a perpetual motion machine. The wind friction creates electricity which charges its batteries. Wind generators make pneumatic power which powers the propellors which make it go - just think of the wind power you will get from moving at 500 kph! Surely enough to power this train and supply the nearest city too! Don't forget that the annular spoiler is a "new design" - much better than the old one!
Oh wait. my BS detector just blew a fuse.
(Score: 3, Insightful) by frojack on Thursday April 26 2018, @05:40PM (3 children)
The whole train seems like a wind tunnel exercise to me, done by people with no clue about trains. "Flying above the rails" it says in TFA.
Made out of magnesium. Righto. That stuff is cheap, yup.
Then there is the whole tacking on of totally unrelated story with no links on the end of TFS. Whats up with that?
Almost like Anonymous Cow Herd was trying to sneak another Gewg_ story in with a hook, but forgetting the payload.
No, you are mistaken. I've always had this sig.
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Thursday April 26 2018, @08:44PM (1 child)
Russia, China and North Korea happen to be the places with the largest reserves of magnesium.
Moo!
~Anonymous Cow Herd
(Score: 2) by Virindi on Friday April 27 2018, @01:36AM
Sweet. Do they also build train cars out of diamonds in South Africa? :D
(Score: 2) by krishnoid on Thursday April 26 2018, @08:53PM
Seriously, how boring. Let me know when you've got a bus with whiskers and a tail [google.com].