Modular container transport systems
AssigneeBiosphere Aerospace, LLC
InventorElie Helou, Jr.
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Disclosed are apparatus, systems, and methods, including a cargo transport system comprising a spine assembly, a container assembly, and an outer fairing. The spine assembly comprises a rigid spine and a plurality of mounts arranged on the rigid spine in a plurality of mount rows. The container assembly comprises a plurality of containers secured to the spine assembly using at least a subset of the plurality of mounts. The outer fairing at least partially encloses the container assembly. Each container of the plurality of containers comprises a plurality of fittings for securing the container to the spine assembly and/or another container of the container assembly. The container assembly is enclosed within a pressurization space for pressurizing the container assembly.
Claims11
A cargo transport system comprising:
- a spine assembly comprising
- a rigid spine;
- and
- a plurality of mounts arranged on the rigid spine in a plurality of mount rows;
- a container assembly comprising a plurality of containers secured to the spine assembly using at least a subset of the plurality of mounts;
- and
- an outer fairing at least partially enclosing the container assembly;
- wherein:
- each container of the plurality of containers comprises a plurality of fittings for securing the container to the spine assembly and/or another container of the container assembly;
- the container assembly is enclosed within a pressurization space for pressurizing the container assembly;
- the outer fairing is configured to withstand pressurization loads for pressurizing the container assembly;
- the pressurization space is substantially defined by the outer fairing and the spine assembly;
- and
- the outer fairing comprises a flexible or semi-flexible material configured to expand into a substantially circular cross-section when the pressurization space is pressurized.
A cargo transport system comprising:
- a spine assembly comprising
- a rigid spine, and
- a plurality of mounts arranged on the rigid spine in a plurality of mount rows;
- a container assembly comprising a plurality of containers secured to the spine assembly using at least a subset of the plurality of mounts;
- an outer fairing at least partially enclosing the container assembly;
- and
- a pressure membrane disposed between the outer fairing and the container assembly;
- wherein:
- each container of the plurality of containers comprises a plurality of fittings for securing the container to the spine assembly and/or another container of the container assembly;
- the container assembly is enclosed within a pressurization space for pressurizing the container assembly;
- the pressurization space is at least partially defined by the pressure membrane;
- and
- the pressure membrane comprises a flexible or semi-flexible material configured to expand into a substantially circular cross-section when the pressurization space is pressurized.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.