Ordnance – Rocket launching – Having rocket-storage and transfer means
Patent
1998-08-18
2000-02-15
Carone, Michael J.
Ordnance
Rocket launching
Having rocket-storage and transfer means
89 1805, 89 1809, 89 1815, 4141379, 4141384, 114292, F41A 900
Patent
active
060240067
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
The invention concerns a method for transferring a horizontally arranged rocket from a vessel to a floating structure located at sea, wherein the rocket contains a payload which, e.g., has to be transported into space, and wherein the transfer is effected by bringing the rocket entirely or partially to a ramp, from which it is lifted in a horizontal position over to the floating structure.
Large rockets for transport of payloads into space may be 50 m or more in length. Such rockets contain a number of sophisticated technical systems, such as mechanical, electrical and optical systems, and both the rocket's technical systems and structural design are highly optimized with regard to weight. On account of this optimization the rockets are principally designed in order to withstand the loads to which they are exposed during launching, while they are only designed for small external stresses, such as stresses generated by wave movement and weather conditions.
The actual rocket consists of several stages and a payload, which, e.g., may be a satellite. The different stages and the payload are built separately and subsequently brought to an assembly location.
Due to the earth's rotation the equator is the most favourable place for launching rockets. However, the assembly and preparation of a large rocket requires substantial resources both in the form of expertise and material, and the availability of such resources is best in areas which are not situated at the equator.
Norwegian patent applications 951693, 951694 and 951695 describe the assembly and launch of rockets where the rocket is assembled in a horizontal position on board a vessel, and subsequently brought aboard a transportable floating platform for transport to a launch site and launching. The rocket can thereby be launched at the equator, while at the same time all the technical aids and technical expertise are easily available, since the aids and expertise can be present on board the vessel or platform. The above-mentioned patent applications do not, however, describe how the rocket is transferred from the vessel to the platform.
A vessel and a floating structure, such as a launch platform for a rocket, will normally have different movements in the water. The movements are mainly due to the influence of the waves, and the differences in movement are due to the fact that the vessel and the floating structure have different shapes and masses, and also that the influence of the waves on the vessel and the floating structure will be displaced in time in relation to each other. When objects are transferred between two vessels at sea where the objects are lifted by means of a lifting device on one vessel, this difference in movement is a recognized problem, since the objects can bump against the other vessel and be damaged.
The object of the invention is to provide a method for transferring a horizontally arranged rocket from a vessel to a floating structure, where the rocket is only exposed to small stresses due to the different movements of the vessel and the floating structure.
The object is achieved according to the invention with a method of the type mentioned in the introduction, characterized by the features which are indicated in the claims.
Thus, by means of the present invention the differences in movement between the vessel and the floating structure are reduced by setting up a ramp between the vessel and the floating structure. The ramp is connected to the vessel in such a manner that a rocket can be transferred from the vessel to the ramp in a practical fashion, e.g. on a carriage, while the ramp is simultaneously connected to the floating structure, thus holding the ramp completely or partially steady in relation thereto.
In a preferred embodiment the ramp is pivotally connected to the vessel, while a section of the ramp which is located furthest from the vessel is suspended in securing wires from the floating structure.
In this patent application the term "critical height" is understood to mean a minimum lifting height where there is no lon
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Kindem Bj.o slashed.rn
Kristensen Per Herbert
Lien Bj.o slashed.rn Reidar
Carone Michael J.
French III Fredrick T.
Kvaerner Maritime AS
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