System and method for smart spherical cluster vessels
OwnerThomas F. Yostinventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A method and apparatus for smart spherical cluster vessels is described. In one example, a cargo ball assembly includes a plurality of cargo balls attached together to form a cluster, the cargo balls having a spherical exterior surface, a rocket engine cargo ball of the cluster having a plurality of thrusters exposed to an exterior position of the cluster to propel the cluster, and a thruster system to control the rocket engine to guide the cluster.
Claims17
A cargo ball for operation in space, comprising:
- a spherical structure with a spherical exterior surface;
- an interior within the exterior surface configured to hold cargo;
- a first clamping surface;
- a first peg clamped to the first clamping surface and extending from the first clamping surface, the first peg being configured to be clamped to a second peg of a second cargo ball;
- at least a first curved cover shaped to lay flush with the spherical exterior surface in an undeployed state and configured to open in a deployed state;
- and
- a plurality of thrusters positioned within the interior of the spherical structure, wherein a first thruster of the plurality of thrusters is positioned under the first curved cover within the interior of the spherical structure in the undeployed state, and wherein the first thruster is configured to be deployed through the at least first curved cover to an external position from the cargo ball in the deployed state.
A cargo ball for operation in space, comprising:
- a spherical structure with a spherical exterior surface;
- an interior within the exterior surface configured to hold cargo;
- a first clamping surface;
- a first peg clamped to the first clamping surface and extending from the first clamping surface, the first peg being configured to be clamped to a second peg of a second cargo ball;
- a main engine cover shaped to lay flush with the spherical exterior surface in an undeployed state;
- and
- a main engine positioned internal to the cargo ball in the undeployed state and wherein a nozzle of the main engine is exposed from an opened main engine cover in a deployed state.
A cargo ball for operation in space, comprising:
- a spherical structure with a spherical exterior surface;
- an interior within the exterior surface configured to hold cargo;
- a first clamping surface, wherein the first clamping surface is formed on the exterior surface;
- a first peg clamped to the first clamping surface and extending from the first clamping surface, the first peg being configured to be clamped to a second peg of a second cargo ball;
- a second clamping surface, wherein the second clamping surface is on an opposing side of the exterior surface from the first clamping surface;
- and
- a second peg clamped to the second clamping surface and extending from the second clamping surface, the second peg being configured to be clamped to a third peg of a third cargo ball.
A plurality of cargo balls for operation in space, wherein each cargo ball of the plurality of cargo balls comprises:
- a spherical structure with a spherical exterior surface;
- an interior within the exterior surface configured to hold cargo;
- a first clamping surface, wherein the first clamping surface is positioned in an indentation formed in the exterior surface;
- a first peg clamped to the first clamping surface and extending from the first clamping surface, the first peg being configured to be clamped to another peg of another cargo ball in the plurality of cargo balls;
- and
- a magnet to hold the first peg against the first clamping surface.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.