Issue # 181 ICF OFFICIAL MONTHLY NEWS BULLETIN

November-2020

GreencoGold RatingAward - 2018

ŸŸ

ŸŸŸ

Ÿ

ŸŸ

ŸŸ

Ÿ

Ÿ Ÿ

Ÿ Ÿ

ŸŸŸŸ

"Content On Demand" in personal Built on LHB platform with HOG / EOG gadgets of passengers using Wi-Fipower supply.Sunk-in type LED destination board Transparent Larger windows for Stainless Steel multi tier luggage racks panoramic view.

Electrically controlled opalescent glass outside the passenger areawindows in roof. Aesthetically designed FRP interior Observation lounge with larger window panelling at one end. Mini pantry and service area consisting Wider entrance doors for Divyangjan

of Hot case, Microwave Oven, Coffee persons with wheelchairs.Maker, Bottle Cooler, Refrigerator and Ergonomically designed Reclining

seats with 180 degrees rotating facility. washbasin.Charging sockets below seat arm rest FRP modular toilets with pressurized for each passenger. flushing system & bio tanks.Automatic sliding doors at compartment Aspiration type automatic Fire detection entry on both sides.

with alarm system.GPS based Public Address cum CCTV system for on board surveillance

Passenger Information system (PAPIS).Bogies with Air-Spring suspension in

Entertainment system integrated with secondary stage for better ride comfort.Digital display screens and speakers.

Salient Features of Vistadome Coaches

Rastr iya Ekta Diwas was o b s e r v e d o n 3 1 . 1 0 . 2 0 . In this connection, all officers and staff took pledge on 31.10.2020 at their respective work places

VISTADOME COACHVISTADOME COACH

Integral NewsNovember - 2020 1

ICF launched the Jan Andolan Campaign on Covid 19 among its staff to create awareness and lead the fight against Covid-19. In this connection, all officers and staff took pledge on 08.10.2020 at their respective workplaces to prevent the spread of Novel Corona Virus and also to create awareness against spread of COVID – 19

The Vigilance Awareness Week is thbeing observed from 27 October to

nd2 November 2020 with the theme, “Vigilant India, Prosperous India”. All officers and staff took anIntegrity Pledge on 27.10.20 at their respective work places. In Connection with this, a vendor development programme was conducted on 29.10.2020 on virtual platform with association with CII and NSIC. 372 participants took part in the vendor meet. Overall, the vendor meet was a grand success and ICF is looking into getting more sources for ‘‘Make in India’’ items.

Published by :P R Branch, ICF.

Integral NewsNovember - 2020 2

All officers and staff took National Unity pledge on 31.10.2020 at their respective workplaces.

All officers and staff took pledge on 08.10.2020 at their respective workplaces to prevent the spread of Novel Corona Virus and also to create awareness against spread of COVID – 19.

All Officers and Staff took an Integrity Pledge on 27.10.20 at their respective workplaces.

Checking Employees with Pulse Oxymeter in addition to thermal scanning at shop30 entrance by SJAB Volunteers S/Shri L.Ramsesh, Sr Tech/Shop37, D.Gowri shankar, Tech-1/Shop-30, N.Lakshmi Narayanan, Genl Asst/Shop-42, N.Shyam Kumar, Asst workshop/ shop-30 and T.N,Kannan, Genl asst/ Shop-82. It is being done daily from 19th Oct.

Zonal Hindi Essay Writing competition was conducted with social distancing on 06.10.2020 by Hindi section.

CongratulationsShri P.G.Vijay Anand, SSE/

Shop-30, has been selected thfor the 65 Annual Railway

National Award, 2020.

Integral News 3

Rajesh.K

Venkatesan.K

Natana Sabapathy.G

Sundaresan

Balavenugopal

Kothandapani

Ravi

Karthikeyan.K.M

Anbuselvam

House keep Asst.(Engg)

Sr.Tech/Carp/Shop-30

Tech-1/Fitter/Shop-30

Sr.Tech/Carp/Shop-30

Inspector Gr-I/Shop-82

Tech-1/ Carp/Shop-30

Sr.Tech/ Carp/Shop-30

Tech-1/ Welder/Shop-23

Tech-1/ Carp/Shop-30

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

SI.No.

NameShri / Smt. Designation Shop

1

2

3

4

5

6

Narayanamurthy K.R.

Krishnamoorthy.S K

Chandrasekar.K

Ramesh Babu.G

Nazar.M S

Balasubramanian.V S

Tech -1

Tech -1

Sr. Tech

Sr. Tech

Ch. O.S

S.S.E

15

15

30

30

CWE/S Off

MPO/F

thEMPLOYEES RETIRING ON 30 NOVEMBER 2020

We wish them A Happy & Peaceful Retired Life

November - 2020

OFFICIAL POSTINGS

Name Shri/ Smt Previous PresentSI.No.

WE DEEPLY MOURN THE SUDDEN DEMISE OF THE FOLLOWING EMPLOYEES

Name Shri/ Smt DesignationSI.No.

1. P.U.K.Reddy S.Rly CPLE

2. V.M. Govindarajan DyCEE/F-1 DyCEE/

Maint

3. K. Ezhilarasu DyCEE/F-2 DyCEE/

Fur

4. K.Sudalaimani WM/LHB WM/Prog/F

5. Mritunjay Kumar AMM/FD SMM/FD

6. Aranipadam AWM/LHB-1 AME/D-III

Subrammanian

7. A. Raju AWM/LHB-II AWM/

Prog-I/S

8. R. Thanga Prakash AWM/Prog-I/S AWM/LHB

Kumar

9. Pappu Ram Meena NWR ASC/RPF

ICF CIRCULARS

AC08 dt: 19.09.2020

Introduction of e-Privilege pass/ PTO in HRMS Module.

AC09 dt: 29.10.2020

What should an employee do? (One Time Process)

Instructions to be followed by employees for

checking correctness in Portal

Processing of Inter shop/ office transfer request of Non-Gaz Employees.

1. (a) Check the correctness of the Passes/PTOs availed data

(b) Family composition

(c) Date of birth of family members

(d) Click Accept" in HRMS portal

(e) If data is incorrect, return it to Pass Clerk.

(f) Once corrections are carried out, Click ``Accept" in HRMS portal.

2. Login to the HRMS portal https://hrms.indianrail.gov.in using login ID and password or install HRMS app from Play Store in their mobile.

3. HRMS ID is available in PB Railnet website in Employees Information- top right side and also in Mobile ESS APP' in : 'My Details'.

4. First default password for all employees is "Test@123 which can later be modified by employee using " Change Password" .

5. An OTP will be received on the registered mobile number.

6. Enter the OTP.

7. Click on the "Pass" tab on the left drop down menu.

8. Select "Pass Set". Availed passes &. PTOs for the years 2019 and 2020 will be displayed.

9. If the pass account details are correct, type "Accepted in the "Remarks" tab and press confirm.

10. If there is any error, type the nature of error in remarks tab and press "Return to Clerk tab.

11. Press "Yes" in the pop-up menu.

12. Next check the "Family Declaration" tab on the left drop down menu.

13. The screen containing the list of family members and the dependants will be displayed.

14. The above steps have to be followed for updating the family declaration screen.

15. If there are any changes/updation, relevant documents e.g. Bonafide certificates etc. may be uploaded.

a) Requests received from employees for Inter Shop/Office transfer will be registered as per the date of receipt of the request in Personnel Branch.

b) All the requests received upto quarter ending i.e. March, June, September and December in the year will be put upto placement committee for orders in the first week of the following quarter.

c) Transfer orders will be issued in respect of those employees whose requests have been approved by the placement committee.

d) Requests of those employees which are not considered by the placement committee will be retained in the list and will be once again put upto the placement committee in the next quarter along with fresh request received during that three months period.

"

"

"

"

The JAG post of Dy.CEE/Construction is re-designated as Dy.CEE/Renewable Energy

Integral News

AC10 dt: 28.10.2020

PB/Q/76 dt: 31.10.2020

PB/LW/200/Misc/Covid-19 dt: 01.10.2020

PB/LW/264/Pledges/Vol.X dt: 08.10.2020

PB/LW/34/R/3A/F/Vol.V dt: 05.10.2020

PB/LW/200/Misc/Covid-19 dt: 15.10.2020

PB/CBS/NPS/Policy File dt: 16.10.2020

PB/CBS/I.T/90 dt: 05.10.2020

PB/LW/264/Pledges/Vol.X dt: 29.10.2020

PB/DyCPO/I/Covid dt: 16.10.2020

Updating employees details in the e-pass module of HRMS webportal - target date 01.11.2020.

All Passes and PTO will be in Digital form only from 01.11.2020 onwards. All employees are once again informed to check their respective family composition details in the module, and already availed Pass/PTO details and accept the sarne for availing Pass/PTO through HRMS.

All are requested to complete their one-time confirmation in the e-pass system.

Presently, Registrations for “Change of Quarters” are received through written requests - manually. Henceforth employees can request, “Change of Quarters” through Online mode.

This will take effect from 04.11.2020. No manual registration for Change of Quarters is permitted in future.

Identifying Covid-19 positive index cases.

Pledge against spread of Covid-19

Shri T.Dilip Kumar, DyCME/F-1 is nominated as one Manager for all purpose of Furnishing Factory.

Supply of Hand Sanitiser 100ml bottles – 2 Nos each for all employees.

Joint Procedure Order - Streamlining the procedure followed under NPS 2004.

Option for deduction of Income Tax under new tax regime for the current financial year 2020-21.

Observance of “Rashtriya Ekta Diwas” on 31.10.2020

Screening of employees working in shop-30 @40 per day from 19.10.20

POLICY CIRCULAR

Subject : Submission of

Non-Stock Indents through IMMSIMMS is sucessfully implemented in ICF. It is decided that henceforth, submission of all non-stock indents will be through IMMs only to have advantages like tracking the status of indents etc.

Hence all indentors are advised to submit their non-stock indents through IMMS only and indents submitted through present system of sending online indent through Purchase Module after 01.11.2020 will not be entertained.

November - 2020 4

Person of Month - Sep 2020 Shri A. SRINIVAS,SSE/PCO/SHELL

Person of Month - Sep 2020 Shri R. NEDUMARAN, SSE/PLANNING/SHELL

Person of Month - Sep 2020 Shri K. ELANGOVAN, Asst. W.S./S-80/Fur

PERSON OF THE MONTH - SEPTEMBER 2020

Vigilance Awarenss Week competition winners:Essay competition

Drawing Competition: ICF SJ HS School

Drawing Competition: ICF Vidyaniketan School

Drawing Competition: ICF Hr Sec School

Drawing Competition: TTC

Elocution Competition

l

l

Central Vigilance Commission (CVC) has launched a new initiative for citizens to suggest systemic improvements in Central Government Organisations. These suggestions may be sent directly to the CVC from 27.10.2020 to 14.11.2020 by email - coord1-cvc@nic.in or telephone (011-24651632 Citizens may also give suggestions to Central Government Organisations directly.

As part of Vigilance Awareness Week essay competition was conducted for officers and employees on the topic “Vigilant India, Properous India”

: K.Raghupathy, PS Gr-II

U.Gopika, X-A, K.Shakthy, X-B, S.Dharaneesh, X-A

G.Mithila, IX, D.Anju Netam, IX, V.Deepika, IX

S.Papitha, X-E, K.Balakrishnan, IX-E, R.Leelavathi, IX-E

K.Karthika, Fitter, 93/4292, G.Arun, Fitter, 93/4290

Sarita, Painter, 93/7050

Zonal Hindi Essay, Elocution and Noting & Drafting competitions were conducted by Rajbhasha Vibhag from 6th october to 8th October 2020.

Prize Name Designation Office

I Anbarasi Diana Steno Sr.EDPM

Chelladurai

II Padmini Prasad SSO PFA

III Seetha Krishnan Ch.OS CWE/

Shell

Mot.1 Mangayarkarasi.R OS CWE/F

Mot.2 Satya Narayan Asst./ Dy.CMM

Stores SD

Mot.3. Pawan Kumar JAA PFA

Integral News 5

RAILWAY BOARD CIRCULARS

RBE 76/2020:

RBE 87/2020:

RBE 88/2020:

RBE 89/2020:

RBE 91/2020:

RBE 92/2020

RBE 93/2020:

RB No. E(GP)2018/2/31 dt 16.10.2020

Age goup of Junior National Bridge championship for the purpose of recruitment of sports person against sports quota.

RBE 85/2020: Inter-Railway Request Transfer – Hardships being faced by the staff.

It has been decided by the Board that NOC issued by the receiving Railway should be valid for a period of six months, and if transfer of the employees concerned is not effected within this period, the NOC in such cases should be mandatorily revalidated. The employees should be relieved on transfer only after re-confirming the validity of the NOC.

Aptitude Test (earlier Psychological Test) in departmental selection – Calling the candidates on or one day prior to the test.

Fixation of pay on grant of benefit under Modified Assured Career Progression Scheme (MACPS) — Extension of the benefit of entry level pay provided in Board's letter dated 12-10-2018 (RBE No. 158/2018)

One time relaxation for retention of railway accommodation in view of Novel Corona virus (COVID-19):: Retention of Railway accommodation shall be allowed for the period from 17.03.2020 to 30.11.2020 by the officers/staff who were/are due to vacate their flats/houses during the above period. No damage rent will be charged for this period. These relaxations will be given to such allottees also who have become unauthorized occupants of Railway accommodation before 17.03.2020. However, in such cases, excluding the retention period from 17.03.2020 to 30.11.2020, the damage charges at telescopic rates, as was continuing prior to this period will apply.

Payment of Productivity Linked Bonus

: Minimum rates of wages and variable dearness allowance w.e.f. 01.10.2020

Calculation of monthly contribution towards cost of Pension payable during foreign service

A Centralised Computer based examination for 70% Selections and 30% LDCEs for promotion to Group 'B' posts in the 7 organized Departments (except Accounts and IRPFS) with the following breakup of marks:

(I) 70% Selection

Professional subject - 70 marks

Estt. & Financial Rules - 30 marks

including optional Questions of 10 marks on Rajbhasha Policy

(ii) 30% LDCE

Professional subject - 70 marks

Estt. & Financial Rules - 20 marks

including optional questions of 10 marks on Rajbhasha Policy

G.K. (excluding current affairs) -10 marks

b) Question Paper will have 125 Questions out of which 100 questions can be attempted

c) Qualifying marks will be 60% in both 70% Selection & 30% LDCE.

November - 2020

Essay Writing Competition :

Noting & Drafting Competition :

Consolation Prizes:

Last Date for submission

of application:

Prize Name Designation Office

I B. Jayalalitha Accts. Asst PFA

II Sampath Kumar E JE/IT Sr EDPM

III Hareesh Kumar PA SSE TTC

Mot.1 Padmini Prasad SSO PFA

Mot.2 Satya Narayan Asst.Stores Dy CMM/

SD

Mot.3 Rajashree Anandan PSGr.II CPLE

Prize Name Designation Office

I Seetha Krishnan Ch.OS CWS/

Shell

II Anbarasi Dyna Steno Sr. EDPM

Chelladurai

III Satya Narayan Asst/ Dy CMM/

Stores SD

Mot.1 A. Thirunavukkarasu Acct.Asst PFA

Mot.2. Sampath Kumar E JE/IT Sr. EDPM

Mot.3. Rajashree Anandan PS.Gr.II CPLE

Online Essay Writing Contest conducted on 24.09.2020 for class VI to IX students by Chennai Rail Museum as a part of Swachhata Pakhwada

Topic : "Cleanliness should be a practice, not a Project”

1. L.Tejash, VII-E, ICF HSS, Villivakkam

2. M.Mahalakshmi, VIII-E, ICF HSS, Villivakkam

3. Jessica Lizebhath.L., VII-A, St.Anns MHSS, Madhavaram

4. R.N.Harshini, IX-C, Pon Vidyashram, Kolapakkam

1. T.Manoj, IX, Sri.Kandasamy Vidyalayam HSS, Pappunayakkan Patti, Madurai

2. S.Yugalakshmi, VIII-A, Sri.Sankara Vidhyalaya HSS, Puducherry

3. S.Dhanush Ragavendra, IX, Ganchior MHSS, Thiruvallur

4. M.R.Monish, VI-B, AECS, Kalpakkam, Chengalpattu.

For Schools in Chennai:

For Schools Outside Chennai:

Technical Scholarship from SBF for 2020-21 for employees in GP above Rs.2400/- : 15.12.20 Scholarship to the wards of employees from ICF Golden Jubilee Scholarship Corpus Fund: 10.12.20

Integral News 6November - 2020

Disadvantages:

l

l

l

Piece Rate Contract:

l

l

Advantages:

l

l

Disadvantages:

l

l

l

Lump Sum Contract:

l

l

Turn Key Contract:

l

l

l

EPC Contract:

l

Consultancy Contract:

l

l

l

l

l

BOT-Built Operate Transfer Contract:

l

l

l

l

l

Proper assessment of qty of items covered in the contract to be done prior to floating tender.

Accurate detail estimate required. It is time-consuming for very large projects.

Payment is based on actual supply, hence detailed recording of Measurement required and this delay payment process.

Rate Fixed. No reference of Qty.

Zonal Contract.

Accurate Qty assessment is not required.

Flexibility for executing agency.

Period is one year.

Price variation is not permitted. Hence reluctant to supply

highly price variable items by contractor.

In these Contracts, the contractor is engaged to carry out a work as specified AS PER THE EMPLOYER'S DESIGN/ Specifications, within a given period for a fixed total sum.

No Detailed recording of Measurement.

In these Contracts, the contractor is engaged to carry out a work of “Design, supply, construction “ work.

Deign of Civil works, Mechanical items etc are under scope of contractor.

Quality, Performance and other parameter like productivity are vital for acceptance of work.

Entire work of assessment of infrastructure to completion will be given to agency for execution. This includes survey, preparation of requirement etc.

Contract awarded for offering technical expertise solution for certain issues.

MRVC Consultancy contract for stainless steel coach manufacturing.

RITES contract for complete switch over to stainless steel coach manufacturing.

Cycle time reduction by National Productivity Council.

Material Handling Facility for Furnishing Division.

Green field project

Huge infrastructure project.

Investment by private party.

Handed over to Govt. on completion of contract

period usually 20 to 30 years.

Relaxed standard rules for reserved category candidates will be applied as per extant instructions.

d) 1 mark will be allotted for every correct answer and 1/3rd mark will be deducted for every wrong answer.

e) Examination for 70% Selections for all the services will be held on a single day across Indian Railways. Similarly examination for 30% LDCE will be held on a single day only as per the existing practice.

PM has sent greetings to Sri Marimuthu, retd. Chief Welfare Inspector

Electric Loco Shed, Arakkonam, has developed a battery-cum AC operated dual-mode locomotive called 'PASUMAI' to work both in electric and non-electric/ unwired sections.

Volunteers

ively involved in the manufacture and distribution of masks in various Railway Colonies as well as volunteering for various works like Thermal Screening of Passengers during running of Shrarmik Specials, volunteering for distribution of free food to the needy during April and May 2020 etc.

In a programme organized by the Southern Railway State Bharath Scouts and Guides today, 14th October, 2020 Shr i B.G. Mal lya, Addi t ional General Manager, Southern Railway and President, Southern Railway State Bharath Scouts and Guides (SRSBSG), appreciated the good work down by the Railway Scouts and Guides volunteers especially during the Covid Lockdown.

He later handed over 1000 handmade masks made by volunteers of Scouts and Guides in the presence of Shri P. Uday Kumar Reddy, Chief Planning Engineer/ICF and State Chief Commissioner, SRSBSG, Smt.T. Hema Suneetha, Financial Advisor & Chief Accounts Officer/Construction and State Commissioner/Guides, SRSBSG, and Smt G. Gayatri, Secretary to GM/SRly and Asst. State Commissioner / Guides, SRSBG.Shri. M. Prakash, Senior Personnel Officer, Construction and State Scretary, SRSBG and Shri M. Mathimaran Chief Welfare inspector and State Organising Secretary SRSBG along with volunteers distributed the masks to the office Staff in Headquarters, Railway Health Dept and Canteen duly observing all safety protocols such as social distancing and cleanliness.

Rate , Quantity are Fixed.

Work to be Completed within agreed period.

Payment based on actual work done by the contractor.

Most used contract system.

Economic.

Flexibility in execution of work.

of Southern Railway State Bharath Scouts and Guides have been doing yeoman service all over the zone over the years. Their services have been exceptional especially during the lockdown as they were act

INTRODUCTION TO WORKS CONTRACT RULES AND PROCEDURES

WORKS CONTRACT

Schedule Contract:

l

l

l

l

Advantages:

l

l

T.Ravichandran, AWM/Fur-II

Integral News 7

BOOT-Built, Operate, Own and Transfer.

l

l

l

WET LEASING

l

DRY LEASING

l

BASIC THING TO BE CONSIDERED:

l

l

VARIOUS STAGES OF CONTRACT

l

l

l

l

l

l

l

l

l

l

l

l

l

l

l

l

l

l

l

l

l

l

l

l

l

l

ESTIMATE

l

l

l

l

l

l

Large project

Small investment or tax relaxation by govt. balance

funding by pvt.

On completion of contract asset will be transferred

on cost basis.

Investment and operation by LESSOR

Investment by LESSOR and Operation by LESSEE

When the supply portion is more – Store Contract.

When service portion is more - Works Contract.

Estimate.

Finalisation of type of Tender.

Preliminary requirement for tendering

Single/double pack.

E-Tendering or Manual Tendering.

Approval of single similar work.

Technical Eligibility Criteria.

Financial Eligibility Criteria.

Tender Schedule /Technical Specification preparation.

Payment schedule.

Price schedule.

Finalisation of SD,PBG,EMD & Tender document cost etc.

Pre-bid date.

Legal vetting of Schedule.

Tender Floating.

Conducting pre-bid conference.

Tender Opening.

Briefing, tabulation etc.

Forming of TC.

Negotiation.

Finalisation of Tender.

Issue of LOA.

Agreement.

Work Execution.

M Book preparation and arranging payment.

Completion of work and release all dues.

It is the basis for contract.

Estimate prepared based on the LPR of

material and likely labour cost.

Last Accepted Rate.

Basis for estimate.

BQ obtained from vendors.

l

l

l

l

l

l

l

l

l

l

l

l

l

TYPE OF TENDER

l

l

l

l

Limited Tender

l

l

l

l

l

l

Special Limited Tender:

l

l

l

Single Tender

l

l

l

l

Awarding of contract without calling tender (E1211)

l

l

l

l

l

l

l

l

Last Purchase Rate.

Man hours, over head, profit etc.

Estimate to be vetted by Finance.

It is a duty of concerned official to ensure the accuracy

of Estimate.

Rate should not be relied on single BQ.

For production estimate should be as per

approved procedure of Finance.

Basis for Rate Reasonableness of offer.

LAR-Last Accepted Rate in recent Contract.

Market Rates- Survey or other sources.

SOR- Schedule Of Rate.

Estimates Rates – Sanctioned Estimate

Calling offer by giving wide publicity.

No limit for the contract value.

Minimum 21 days after floating tender.

Offer invited from limited source who are all in approved list.

Maximum Value of tender Rs.7.5 Cr( SOP 5)

The tender is resorted when

Ring formation noticed.

Specialised work.

Insufficient response in open tender.

Contractors are picked from approved list.

Specialised urgent work.

More than 6 and not less than 4 contractors.

Emergency situation.

Accident, other exigencies.

Inescapable to call for single tender.

Awarding of contract without calling tender

Work should be of urgent nature.

Only JAG, SAG & PHOD have power to exercise the above through quotation power.

The work should not be split up for the purpose of bringing it within ambit of this dispensation.

A register showing full particulars of works authorised will be maintained by each officer and this should be open to verification by Accounts while passing the bills.

Accepting authority should also ensure:

The rate/s accepted is/are reasonable.

Adequate funds are available.

Calling of tender was not justified.

Open Tender:

November - 2020

Email – integralnewsicf@gmail.com Printed & Published by Public Relations Branch / GM's Office / ICF, Ph - 47025 & 47026

Integral News 8

l

l

l

l

l

Single/Two Packet System

l

l

l

l

l

TMVECTORR Technical Overview

Overview

TAA to ensure that the work/items cannot be executed through any other contract including Zonal contract.

Minimum 3 BQ to be obtained. Quotations are from genuine firms (and not from fictitious firms)

Responsibility of TAA to ensure BQ obtained from valid vendors.

Chargeable to WMS and reflect in over head.

TC not required.

Both technical capability and financial offer in single cover. Maximum value of tender Rs 10 Crores.

It is a decision of Tender Calling authority to call offer in two packet system for the tender value below Rs 10 Crores.

Introduced to accesses the technical capability without influence of Financial bid.

Tender Value more than Rs 10 Crores - for going to single packet.

Financial bid will be opened after finalisation of techno commercial offer.

The name VECTORR™ comes from vector, a mathematical term meaning direction and magnitude --and Torr, a metric measurement of pressure. Torr is pressure or vacuum expressed in millimeters of mercury (mmHg). One Torr is equal to 1/760 of a standard atmosphere. One can calculate the amount of thrust developed by our system with Torr and the diameter of the power tube. As the diameter of the power tube is increased from pilot scale to full scale, the available thrust increases as the square of the diameter. Designs for a full-scale power tube with a 24psi(165.36 kPa) pressure differential result in available thrust of approximately 200,000 pounds.

The patented VECTORR atmospheric transportation system uses vacuum and air pressure (differential pressure) to move along an elevated guideway. Stationary power systems create a vacuum in a continuous tube located centrally below the rails on the guideway. This tube (power tube) is held within a steel truss. Inside the power tube is a free piston that runs laterally on its own rails while creating a seal inside the tube. The VECTORR is magnetically coupled to this free piston through a non-magnetic, non-conductive window on the power tube. As the stationary power system pulls the air from the tube,it creates a vacuum in front of the free piston and air is able to enter behind the free piston. This creates the differential pressure that moves VECTORR.

The free piston inside the power tube incorporates two seal and throttle valve mechanisms called thrust valves. A thrust valve is located on each end of a series of magnetic couplers inside the power tube. The process of opening or closing the thrust valve provides throttle control and effective braking of VECTORR.

Single Packet System.

Two Packet System.

The speed and movement of VECTORR can be modulated by controlling the stationary power systems in coordination with the thrust valves. It is important to note that VECTORR is completely unlike Maglev technology. Instead of levitating the system, VECTORR depends on magnets for coupling the thrust valve/free piston from within the power tube to the VECTORR unit.

Since the VECTORR system is envisioned for high-speed applications and VECTORR is very light, then, as a necessary safety requirement, the truck wheels are locked onto the angle-shaped tracks on the guideway at an appropriate locking angle. The configuration of the wheels does not require flanges. This flangeless design, when coupled with the angled rail configuration with lubricated rails, results in lower frictional losses -especially when negotiating curves in the guideway.

VECTORR is designed to operate on an elevated guideway. The light weight of the system enables VECTORR to be economically elevated. The elevated guideway eliminates grade crossings which allows a safer environment for passengers, pedestrians, maintenance workers, and vehicles while allowing the unit to run at constant speeds for longer stretches. This guideway also lessens the environmental impact on the land.

The VECTORR system does not require a catenary system. The view from an elevated position will be of the scenery and not the typical wires and support structures flashing by the windows. People driving or living near the guideway will also appreciate how eye appealing the system is without a catenary system. Because VECTORR does not depend on traction, the elevated guideway can be built with grades up to 10%.With this grade climbing capability, VECTORR will require fewer tunnels than some of the other high-speed conventional systems. The VECTORR system can integrate with many existing right-of-ways, but does not require using existing rail right-of-ways. VECTORR could be built within or adjacent to inter state right-of-ways as it can negotiate grades as steep as those normally found on the inter state system.

At present there are 2%, 6%, and 10% grades built into the middle of the guide way to determine the braking and speed control of the system, the optimal articulated module length, and the total transportation unit weight. A remote control system is used for operating the VECTORR up and down the guideway, applying brakes, reversing direction, and modulating speed. There are two sensitive analog manometers located along the guideway to measure vacuum and pressure differentials. Two stationary power systems are installed to generate the required thrust to move the VECTORR along the guideway. The pilot model currently operates at speeds up to 30 m.p.h. (48 km/h) which equates to a scale speed of 180 m.p.h. (290km/h).

Elevated Guideway

— to be continued

November - 2020