← Back to Patent Explorer
US5042358A Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Ocean launching apparatus of space rocket

Assignee: Sankyu Inc
•
Filing: 1990-04-26
•
Granted: 1991-08-27
•
Expires: 2010-04-26
📄 Original PDF 🌐 Google Patents 🔄 Sync Now

Abstract

Abstract A movable ocean launching apparatus includes a semi-submersible ocean launcher for space rockets and a carrier for carrying it while holding the upper supporting deck thereof. This arragement makes it possible to inexpensively realize the transporation of the ocean launcher, preparation for ocean-based launching and the like and also to reduce the total construction costs of the launching base.

Inventors

  • 👤 Tsuneaki Kuriiwa

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-11-07 13:21
CPC Classifications
B; B63; B63B; B63B35/00; B63B35/003; B63B35/44; B64; B64G; B64G5/00; F; F41; F41F; F41F3/00; F41F3/04; F41F3/07; B64G2005/005

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 24
Claim 1
Independent Claim 107 words
A movable ocean launching apparatus, comprising: an ocean launcher including: a supporting deck having an upper face and a launch pad on said upper face for launching a space rocket; a strut fixed to each of opposite side of said supporting deck and formed to extend downward; and a submersible lower hull fixed to the lower end of each of said struts; and a carrier having a deck with at least one base for supporting said supporting deck of said ocean launcher and being arranged to be capable of carrying said ocean launcher by holding said ocean launcher on said at least one base of said carrier.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 107 words
A movable ocean launching apparatus, comprising: an ocean launcher including: a supporting deck having an upper face and a launch pad on said upper face for launching a space rocket; a strut fixed to each of opposite side of said supporting deck and formed to extend downward; and a submersible lower hull fixed to the lower end of each of said struts; and a carrier having a deck with at least one base for supporting said supporting deck of said ocean launcher and being arranged to be capable of carrying said ocean launcher by holding said ocean launcher on said at least one base of said carrier.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 27 words
A movable ocean launching apparatus according to claim 1, wherein each of said lower hulls has a streamline external configuration extending in the direction of movement thereof.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 21 words
A movable ocean launching apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said deck of said carrier is provided with a space-rocket hangar.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 20 words
A movable ocean launching apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said ocean launcher is provided with a launch-pad service tower.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 33 words
A movable ocean launching apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said carrier has two bases for supporting said supporting deck and accommodations are provided between said bases on said deck of said carrier.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim 22 words
A movable ocean launching apparatus according to claim 1, wherein at least one lower hull is provided with a dynamic positioning system.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim 57 words
A movable ocean launching apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said lower hulls of said ocean launcher are provided with ballast tanks for receiving and discharging water such that the draft of said ocean launcher may be adjusted when said ocean launcher is floating in water by discharging water from or receiving water into said ballast tanks.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim 124 words
A movable ocean launching apparatus, comprising: an ocean launcher including: a supporting deck having an upper face and a launch pad on said upper face for launching a space rocket; a strut fixed to each of opposite sides of said upper supporting deck and formed to extend downward; and a pair of lower hulls fixed to said respective struts of said upper supporting deck, said lower hulls being arranged to produce buoyancy in a submerged state; and a variable draft carrier having a deck with at least one base for supporting said upper supporting deck of said ocean launcher and being arranged to be capable of carrying said ocean launcher by holding said ocean launcher on said at least one base of said carrier.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim 124 words
A movable ocean launching apparatus, comprising: an ocean launcher including: a supporting deck having an upper face and a launch pad on said upper face for launching a space rocket; a strut fixed to each of opposite sides of said upper supporting deck and formed to extend downward; and a pair of lower hulls fixed to said respective struts of said upper supporting deck, said lower hulls being arranged to produce buoyancy in a submerged state; and a variable draft carrier having a deck with at least one base for supporting said upper supporting deck of said ocean launcher and being arranged to be capable of carrying said ocean launcher by holding said ocean launcher on said at least one base of said carrier.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim 27 words
A movable ocean launching apparatus according to claim 8, wherein each of said lower hulls has a streamline external configuration extending in the direction of movement thereof.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim 21 words
A movable ocean launching apparatus according to claim 8, wherein said deck of said carrier is provided with a space-rocket hangar.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim 20 words
A movable ocean launching apparatus according to claim 8, wherein said ocean launcher is provided with a launch-pad service tower.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim 33 words
A movable ocean launching apparatus according to claim 8, wherein said carrier has two bases for supporting said supporting deck and accommodations are provided between said bases on said deck of said carrier.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim 22 words
A movable ocean launching apparatus according to claim 8, wherein at least one lower hull is provided with a dynamic positioning system.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim 50 words
A movable ocean launching apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the carrier is provided with ballast tanks for discharging and receiving water such that the draft of the carrier may be adjusted when said carrier is floating in water by discharging water from or receiving water into said ballast tanks.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim 114 words
A movable ocean launching apparatus, comprising: an ocean launcher including: an upper supporting deck having an upper face and a launch pad on said upper face for launching a space rocket; a strut fixed to each of opposite sides of said upper supporting deck and formed to extend downward; and a pair of submersible lower hulls fixed to said respective struts of said upper supporting deck; and a variable draft carrier having a deck with at least one base for supporting said upper supporting deck of said ocean launcher and being arranged to be capable of carrying said ocean launcher by holding said ocean launcher on said at least one base of said carrier.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim 114 words
A movable ocean launching apparatus, comprising: an ocean launcher including: an upper supporting deck having an upper face and a launch pad on said upper face for launching a space rocket; a strut fixed to each of opposite sides of said upper supporting deck and formed to extend downward; and a pair of submersible lower hulls fixed to said respective struts of said upper supporting deck; and a variable draft carrier having a deck with at least one base for supporting said upper supporting deck of said ocean launcher and being arranged to be capable of carrying said ocean launcher by holding said ocean launcher on said at least one base of said carrier.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim 27 words
A movable ocean launching apparatus according to claim 15, wherein each of said lower hulls has a streamline external configuration extending in the direction of movement thereof.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim 21 words
A movable ocean launching apparatus according to claim 15, wherein said deck of said carrier is provided with a space-rocket hangar.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim 20 words
A movable ocean launching apparatus according to claim 15, wherein said ocean launcher is provided with a launch-pad service tower.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim 33 words
A movable ocean launching apparatus according to claim 15, wherein said carrier has two bases for supporting said supporting deck and accommodations are provided between said bases on said deck of said carrier.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim 22 words
A movable ocean launching apparatus according to claim 15, wherein at least one lower hull is provided with a dynamic positioning system.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim 98 words
A movable ocean launching apparatus according to claim 15, wherein the lower hulls of said ocean launcher are provided with ballast tanks for receiving and discharging water such that the draft of said ocean launcher may be adjusted when said ocean launcher is floating in water by discharging water from or charging water into said ballast tanks; and wherein the carrier is provided with ballast tanks for discharging and receiving water such that the draft of the carrier may be adjusted when said carrier is floating in water by discharging water from or receiving water into ballast tanks.

References Cited (Backward Citations)

US4312287A Cited
US4747334A Cited
US4848967A Cited
US4916999A Cited

USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 1994-08-26 1995-02-25 1995-08-27 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 1998-08-26 1999-02-25 1999-08-27 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 2002-08-26 2003-02-25 2003-08-27 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

Assigned Categories & Tags

No categories assigned to this patent yet.

Assign Category Tag