Patent US3672606A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3672606A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Trolley for recoverable spacecraft
Assignee: BAC AND BRITISH AEROSPACE
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Filing: 1969-12-31
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Granted: 1972-06-27
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Expires: 1989-12-31
Abstract
Abstract A recoverable spacecraft has rocket propulsion engines for vertical flight into space, and has lifting surfaces for horizontal flight after re-entry into the earth''s atmosphere. When transporting the craft over land, its size makes road transport difficult, and makes its flight energized by rocket motors uneconomical. The present invention provides a trolley which can be releasably attached to the craft for such transportation. The trolley has wheels, a braking system and may have at least one air breathing engine to energize transportation flight. It forms a streamlined blister beneath the spacecraft, but has itself no lifting surfaces, the flight of the combined spacecraft and trolley using the lifting surfaces of the craft. The trolley is attached to and released from the craft only when the two are stationary on the ground.
Inventors
- 👤 Gerald D Walley
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 04:46
CPC Classifications
B; B64; B64G; B64G1/00; B64G1/14
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
146 words
A recoverable spacecraft which in flight through the earth''s atmosphere generates aerodynamic lift and which has a propulsion means for flight into space but which means is not normally used for flights during which the craft remains within the atmosphere, and a trolley incapable of self-sustained flight which is attachable to and releasable from the spacecraft only when stationary on the ground, the trolley having wheels for permitting take-off and landing of the combined spacecraft and trolley, and having at least one air breathing engine which exerts a thrust adequate to propel the combined spacecraft and trolley during atmospheric flight when both are supported by the said aerodynamic lift, the trolley being of a narrow elongated form which intimately conforms throughout substantially its entire length to the undersurface of the spacecraft to effectively form a streamlined blister thereon during flight of the combined spacecraft and trolley.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
146 words
A recoverable spacecraft which in flight through the earth''s atmosphere generates aerodynamic lift and which has a propulsion means for flight into space but which means is not normally used for flights during which the craft remains within the atmosphere, and a trolley incapable of self-sustained flight which is attachable to and releasable from the spacecraft only when stationary on the ground, the trolley having wheels for permitting take-off and landing of the combined spacecraft and trolley, and having at least one air breathing engine which exerts a thrust adequate to propel the combined spacecraft and trolley during atmospheric flight when both are supported by the said aerodynamic lift, the trolley being of a narrow elongated form which intimately conforms throughout substantially its entire length to the undersurface of the spacecraft to effectively form a streamlined blister thereon during flight of the combined spacecraft and trolley.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
22 words
A spacecraft anD trolley according to claim 1 in which the trolley has an elongate body and a fuel tank housed therein.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
19 words
A spacecraft and a trolley according to claim 1 in which the air breathing engine is a turbojet engine.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
37 words
A spacecraft and a trolley according to claim 1 in which the trolley has a conventional tricycle undercarriage comprising at least one steerable nose wheel, and twin main wheels, the trolley having braking and shock absorption means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
22 words
A spacecraft and a trolley according to claim 1 in which the trolley is controlled from within a cabin in the spacecraft.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
150 words
A trolley for temporary attachment to a spacecraft which in flight through the earth''s atmosphere generates aerodynamic lift and which has a power plant for flight into space but which is not normally used for flights during which the craft remains within the atmosphere, the trolley being incapable of self-sustained flight and being attachable to and releasable from the spacecraft only when stationary on the ground, the trolley having wheels for permitting take-off and landing of the combined spacecraft and trolley, and having at least one air breathing engine which exerts a thrust adequate to propel the combined spacecraft and trolley during atmospheric flight when both are supported by the said aerodynamic lift, the trolley being of a narrow elongated form which intimately conforms throughout substantially its entire length to the undersurface of the spacecraft to effectively form a streamlined blister thereon during flight to the combined spacecraft and trolley.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
150 words
A trolley for temporary attachment to a spacecraft which in flight through the earth''s atmosphere generates aerodynamic lift and which has a power plant for flight into space but which is not normally used for flights during which the craft remains within the atmosphere, the trolley being incapable of self-sustained flight and being attachable to and releasable from the spacecraft only when stationary on the ground, the trolley having wheels for permitting take-off and landing of the combined spacecraft and trolley, and having at least one air breathing engine which exerts a thrust adequate to propel the combined spacecraft and trolley during atmospheric flight when both are supported by the said aerodynamic lift, the trolley being of a narrow elongated form which intimately conforms throughout substantially its entire length to the undersurface of the spacecraft to effectively form a streamlined blister thereon during flight to the combined spacecraft and trolley.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-06-27 | 1975-12-27 | 1976-06-27 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-06-27 | 1979-12-27 | 1980-06-27 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-06-27 | 1983-12-27 | 1984-06-27 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |