Integrated system and method for assembling, and then transporting and supporting a launch vehicle
OwnerJohn W. Gurrinventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
The system includes an assembly building of sufficient dimension to permit a launch vehicle to be vertically integrated within the building, and to simultaneously receive a combination launch pedestal-lift and transport unit within the building. The launch vehicle is vertically integrated within the building upon the pedestal, and then transported to the launch pad where the vertical height of the lift and transport unit is reduced, leaving the launch pedestal and vehicle in place at the launch pad. Various other features facilitate low cost launch programs using the system and method.
Claims45
A system for providing access, transportation and support for a launch vehicle, comprising:
- a launch pedestal having:
- ground support means,
- a platform supported upon the ground support means,
- means for supporting the launch vehicle in a vertical position upon the platform, and
- interconnecting means for engagement with a lift and transport unit for lifting the platform and the launch vehicle vertically together;
- and
- a lift and transport unit having:
- means for engaging with the interconnecting means of the launch pedestal and for vertically supporting the entire weight of the pedestal and the launch vehicle;
- means for transporting the unit horizontally;
- and
- means for reducing the vertical height of the lift and transport unit, to permit the ground support means to thereafter support the combined weight of the launch pedestal and the launch vehicle.
A system for the assembly, testing, transportation and launching of plural missiles, comprising:
- a launch site;
- plural missile assembly buildings spaced from the launch site, and each building having a central bay;
- a launch site roadway between each assembly building and the launch site, each roadway being sufficiently load-bearing to carry a combined weight of a lift and transport unit, a launch pedestal and a missile mounted vertically upon the launch pedestal;
- a combined launch support and transport assembly dimensioned to fit within the central bay of each assembly building, the launch support and transport assembly having:
- a base;
- a vertical structure fitted upon the base, the vertical structure having a recess for receiving a launch pedestal and a vertically-integrated missile,
- means for horizontally transporting the base, the vertical structure, the launch pedestal and the vertically-integrated missile, and
- a launch pedestal with means for removably coupling with the launch support and transport assembly, whereby a missile is vertically integrated upon the launch pedestal within an assembly building and within the vertical structure, and then the launch pedestal and missile are transported together along the roadway to the launch site while in the vertical position.
A system for the assembly, transport and support for a missile, comprising:
- an assembly building having a vertical height sufficient to permit a missile to be vertically integrated within the building, the building having an ingress-egress opening sufficient to allow a transport unit with a vertical structure to pass therethrough;
- a transport unit having a vertical structure with a bay;
- a launch pedestal for supporting the missile during vertical integration, the pedestal removably supported by the transport unit in the bay of the vertical structure;
- a launch pad;
- a roadway between the assembly building and the launch pad, the roadway having a sufficient load-bearing capability to support the entire weight of the transport unit and its vertical structure, the launch pedestal and a missile integrated on the launch pedestal;
- an exhaust deflector;
- and
- means for supporting the exhaust deflector under the launch pedestal at the launch pad, without coupling the exhaust deflector to the launch pad.
A method for providing access, transportation and launch support to a launch vehicle, comprising the steps of:
- providing a lift and transport unit having a vertical support structure with a bay dimensioned to removably receive a launch pedestal and a vertically integrated launch vehicle supported upon the pedestal, the unit further including means for removably engaging, lifting and horizontally transporting the launch pedestal and launch vehicle combination together;
- vertically integrating the launch vehicle upon the launch pedestal while the pedestal is fitted within the bay of the lift and transport unit;
- horizontally transporting the lift and transport unit and the launch pedestal-launch vehicle combination together to a launch site;
- and thereafter
- removing the lift and transport unit so that the launch pedestal-launch vehicle combination rests at the launch site upon a ground support of the launch pedestal.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.