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
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)
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 |