United States Patent [19]
`Kindem et al.
`
`US006024006A
`[11] Patent Number:
`[45] Date of Patent:
`
`6,024,006
`Feb. 15,2000
`
`[54] METHOD FOR TRANSFERRING A
`HORIZONTALLY ARRANGED ROCKET
`FROM A VESSEL TO A FLOATING
`STRUCTURE LOCATED AT SEA
`
`[75] Inventors: Bjorn Kindem, Krakeroy; Per Herbert
`Kristensen, Rykkin; Bjorn Reidar
`Lien, Oslo, all of Norway
`
`[73] Assignee: Kvaerner Maritime AS, Lysaker,
`Norway
`09/125,396
`Feb. 18, 1997
`
`[21] Appl. No.:
`[22] PCT Filed:
`
`[86] PCT No.:
`§ 371 Date:
`
`PCT/NO97/00050
`Aug. 18, 1998
`
`§ 102(e) Date: Aug. 18, 1998
`[87] PCT Pub. No.: WO97/29947
`
`PCT Pub. Date: Aug. 21, 1997
`Foreign Application Priority Data
`
`[30]
`
`Feb. 19, 1996 [NO]
`
`Norway ................................. .. 96 0658
`
`[51] Int. Cl.7 ...................................................... .. F41A 9/00
`[52] U.S. Cl. ..................... .. 89/1.801; 89/1805; 89/1809;
`89/1815; 414/137.9; 414/138.4; 114/292
`[58] Field of Search .............................. .. 89/1801, 1.802,
`89/1804, 1.805, 1.809, 1.81, 1.815, 1.8;
`43/65; 414/282, 283, 137.9, 22.54, 138.4,
`292; 14/27
`
`[56]
`
`References Cited
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`H683 10/1989 Brubaker .............................. .. 89/1802
`175,019
`3/1876 Borgfeldt
`114/292
`834,335 10/1906 Taylor ............ ..
`. 414/138.4
`3,284,888 11/1966 McClain et al. ..................... .. 89/1801
`
`3,303,740
`
`2/1967 Grayson et al. ..................... .. 89/1815
`
`3,831,311
`
`8/1974 Cushing . . . . . . . . .
`
`. . . . . . .. 43/65
`
`4,444,087
`
`4/1984 Hunter et al.
`
`89/1802
`
`4,590,634
`4,747,334
`4,839,062
`4,916,999
`
`5/1986 Williams . . . . .
`. . . . .. 14/27
`5/1988 Kuriiwa ............................... .. 89/1802
`6/1989 Sanders .................................... .. 43/65
`4/1990 Palmer et al.
`89/1815
`
`4,998,369
`
`3/1991 Lamon . . . . . . . .
`
`. . . .. 43/65
`
`7/1991 Ingle . . . . . . .
`5,032,040
`8/1991 Kuriiwa ..
`5,042,358
`3/1993 Czimmek
`5,191,162
`1/1995 Sugawara et al.
`5,379,863
`7/1997 Chernjawski ..
`5,649,333
`5,845,875 12/1998 Deel ................. ..
`5,908,999
`6/1999 Kristensen et al. .
`5,918,306
`6/1999 Kristensen et al. .
`5,932,830
`8/1999 Kristensen et al. .
`
`. . . . .. 14/27
`. 89/1815
`. 89/1802
`. 414/282
`.... .. 14/27
`244/63
`89/1801
`89/1801
`.. 89/1801
`
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`57165 8/1982 European Pat. Off. ............ .. 89/1801
`3315888A1 11/1984 Germany .
`951693 5/1995 Norway .
`951694 5/1995 Norway .
`951695 5/1995 Norway .
`2070554A 9/1981 United Kingdom .
`WO9634795 11/1996 WIPO .
`
`Primary Examiner—Michael J. Carone
`Assistant Examiner—Fredrick T. French, III
`Attorney, Agent, or Firm—Birch, Stewart, Kolasch & Birch,
`LLP
`[57]
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`In a method for transferring a horizontally arranged rocket
`from a vessel to a ?oating structure, a ramp is provided in
`a position projecting out from the vessel, entirely or partially
`below a lifting device provided on a ?oating structure, and
`is connected to the ?oating structure. The rocket is moved
`completely or partially out on the ramp, and is lifted over to
`the ?oating structure by the ?oating structure’s lifting
`device.
`
`9 Claims, 3 Drawing Sheets
`
`Space Exploration Technologies; NEW PETITION
`Exhibit 1006
`Page 1 of 6
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Feb. 15,2000
`
`Sheet 1 0f 3
`
`6,024,006
`
`1
`
`(8
`
`E
`
`Space Exploration Technologies; NEW PETITION
`Exhibit 1006
`Page 2 of 6
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Feb. 15,2000
`
`Sheet 2 of3
`
`6,024,006
`
`Space Exploration Technologies; NEW PETITION
`Exhibit 1006
`Page 3 of 6
`
`

`
`Space Exploration Technologies; NEW PETITION
`Exhibit 1006
`Page 4 of 6
`
`

`
`1
`METHOD FOR TRANSFERRING A
`HORIZONTALLY ARRANGED ROCKET
`FROM A VESSEL TO A FLOATING
`STRUCTURE LOCATED AT SEA
`
`This application is the national phase under 35 U.S.C.
`§371 of prior PCT International Application No. PCT/N097/
`00050 Which has an International ?ling date of Feb. 18, 1997
`Which designated the United States of America, the entire
`contents of Which are hereby incorporated by reference.
`The invention concerns a method for transferring a
`horiZontally arranged rocket from a vessel to a ?oating
`structure located at sea, Wherein the rocket contains a
`payload Which, e.g., has to be transported into space, and
`Wherein the transfer is effected by bringing the rocket
`entirely or partially to a ramp, from Which it is lifted in a
`horiZontal position over to the ?oating structure.
`Large rockets for transport of payloads into space may be
`50 m or more in length. Such rockets contain a number of
`sophisticated technical systems, such as mechanical, elec
`trical and optical systems, and both the rocket’s technical
`systems and structural design are highly optimiZed With
`regard to Weight. On account of this optimiZation the rockets
`are principally designed in order to Withstand the loads to
`Which they are eXposed during launching, While they are
`only designed for small external stresses, such as stresses
`generated by Wave movement and Weather conditions.
`The actual rocket consists of several stages and a
`payload, Which, e.g., may be a satellite. The different stages
`and the payload are built separately and subsequently
`brought to an assembly location.
`Due to the earth’s rotation the equator is the most
`favourable place for launching rockets. HoWever, the assem
`bly and preparation of a large rocket requires substantial
`resources both in the form of eXpertise and material, and the
`availability of such resources is best in areas Which are not
`situated at the equator.
`NorWegian patent applications 951693, 951694 and
`951695 describe the assembly and launch of rockets Where
`the rocket is assembled in a horiZontal position on board a
`vessel, and subsequently brought aboard a transportable
`?oating platform for transport to a launch site and launching.
`The rocket can thereby be launched at the equator, While at
`the same time all the technical aids and technical eXpertise
`are easily available, since the aids and eXpertise can be
`present on board the vessel or platform. The above
`mentioned patent applications do not, hoWever, describe
`hoW the rocket is transferred from the vessel to the platform.
`A vessel and a ?oating structure, such as a launch
`platform for a rocket, Will normally have different move
`ments in the Water. The movements are mainly due to the
`in?uence of the Waves, and the differences in movement are
`due to the fact that the vessel and the ?oating structure have
`different shapes and masses, and also that the in?uence of
`the Waves on the vessel and the ?oating structure Will be
`displaced in time in relation to each other. When objects are
`transferred betWeen tWo vessels at sea Where the objects are
`lifted by means of a lifting device on one vessel, this
`difference in movement is a recogniZed problem, since the
`objects can bump against the other vessel and be damaged.
`The object of the invention is to provide a method for
`transferring a horiZontally arranged rocket from a vessel to
`a ?oating structure, Where the rocket is only eXposed to
`small stresses due to the different movements of the vessel
`and the ?oating structure.
`The object is achieved according to the invention With a
`method of the type mentioned in the introduction, charac
`teriZed by the features Which are indicated in the claims.
`
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`6,024,006
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`Thus, by means of the present invention the differences
`in movement betWeen the vessel and the ?oating structure
`are reduced by setting up a ramp betWeen the vessel and the
`?oating structure. The ramp is connected to the vessel in
`such a manner that a rocket can be transferred from the
`vessel to the ramp in a practical fashion, eg on a carriage,
`While the ramp is simultaneously connected to the ?oating
`structure, thus holding the ramp completely or partially
`steady in relation thereto.
`In a preferred embodiment the ramp is pivotally con
`nected to the vessel, While a section of the ramp Which is
`located furthest from the vessel is suspended in securing
`Wires from the ?oating structure.
`In this patent application the term “critical height” is
`understood to mean a minimum lifting height Where there is
`no longer any risk of collision betWeen the rocket and the
`base, especially a saddle.
`The invention Will noW be eXplained in more detail in
`connection With a description of a speci?c embodiment and
`With reference to the draWing, in Which
`FIG. 1 is a side vieW of a rocket horiZontally arranged on
`a ramp,
`FIG. 2 shoWs the rocket in tWo different positions during
`a vertical lift,
`FIG. 3 shoWs the rocket and the ramp in closer detail, and
`FIG. 4 shoWs a lifting yoke and a device for use in lifting.
`
`The same reference numerals are used for
`corresponding parts in all the ?gures.
`
`FIG. 1 illustrates a ?oating structure 20 With pontoons 21
`and columns 22, ?oating at sea 10. On top of the columns 22
`there is provided a deck structure 23 With a crane beam 24.
`Beside the ?oating structure there is located a vessel 30, of
`Which only the stern 31 is shoWn. An elongated ramp 40 is
`placed in a position projecting out from the vessel 30, so that
`the ramp 40 is substantially located beloW the crane beam
`24.
`The end of the ramp Which is located closest to the vessel
`is pivotally connected to the vessel about a horiZontal aXis
`32, thus enabling the ramp to be rotated in relation to the
`vessel. The end of the ramp Which is located furthest from
`the vessel 30 is connected to the ?oating structure 20 by
`being suspended in vertical securing Wires 73 from an
`attachment point 25 on the ?oating structure. In this manner
`a ramp is obtained, one end of Which is continuously
`connected to the vessel 30, and the other end of Which has
`a constant vertical distance from the crane beam 24. The
`vessel’s vertical movement Will be transferred to the end of
`the ramp Which is located closest to the vessel, While the
`?oating structure’s vertical movement Will be transferred to
`the end of the ramp Which is suspended in the Wires 73. Thus
`the ramp forms a far better basis for a vertical lift of an
`object, in this case a rocket, than, e. g., the vessel’s afterdeck.
`When a rocket 50 is transferred from the vessel to the
`?oating structure, the rocket is moved entirely or partially
`out on to the ramp 40 and lifted over to a ?oating structure
`by means of a lifting device 70, Which in the illustrated
`embodiment is composed of lifting Wires 71 from the crane
`beam 24.
`FIG. 2 illustrates the lifting of the rocket, Where the rocket
`is shoWn in tWo positions, a position on the ramp 40 before
`the lift, and a position 50‘ Where the rocket has been lifted
`upWards in the direction of the crane beam 24. The rocket is
`lifted by means of tWo lifting yokes, a rear lifting yoke 61
`in the form of a lifting beam, and a front lifting yoke 61‘ in
`the form of a frame. The rear lifting yoke 61 lifts the rocket
`
`Space Exploration Technologies; NEW PETITION
`Exhibit 1006
`Page 5 of 6
`
`

`
`3
`50 in tWo lifting lugs 51, While the front lifting yoke 61‘ lifts
`the rocket in four lifting lugs 51‘.
`FIG. 3 illustrates the rocket 50 and the ramp 40 in closer
`detail. It can be seen here hoW the rocket is placed on a
`cradle 60 Which consists of a longitudinal supporting struc
`ture Which in turn is placed on tWo carriages 66, in the form
`of bogies. The cradle 60 has saddles 65 Which support the
`rocket during transport of the rocket to the ramp. In the
`embodiment illustrated in FIG. 3 the rocket’s front and rear
`sections are lifted by tWo identical lifting yokes 61, both of
`Which are in the form of lifting beams, for lifting the rocket
`in tWo lifting lugs 51.
`FIG. 4 is a cross section through the rocket 50, the lifting
`yoke 61 and the cradle 60. Apart from the saddle 65 and the
`carriage 66 the cradle 60 includes tWo jacks 62. It also
`illustrates hoW the rocket is connected to the lifting yoke by
`tWo lifting slings or lifting stays 64.
`The jacks 62 are provided as hydraulic jacks With vertical
`hydraulic cylinders 81 located at the outer edges of the
`cradle 60, furthest aWay from the rocket 50. The piston rods
`68 With lifting blocks 69 extend vertically upWards from the
`hydraulic cylinders 81, and the lifting blocks 69 abut against
`the underside of the extreme points of the lifting yoke 61.
`The jacks are further provided With extensible legs 83 in the
`extension of the cylinders 81 in order to support the jacks
`and transfer vertical forces from the jacks to the ramp.
`FIG. 4 also illustrates tWo vertical guide Wires 72, Which
`extend parallel to the lifting Wires 71 from the ramp 40 to the
`crane beam 24, and are passed through guides 63 in the
`extreme points of the lifting yoke 61. Before lifting, the
`guide Wires 72 are tightened by means of suitable devices,
`eg jigger Winches, to a suitable tension, eg 10 tons per
`Wire, so that their potential horiZontal movement is very
`limited.
`During a lift With the cradle 60 illustrated in FIG. 4 the
`lifting yoke 61 is jacked up With the rocket 50 from the ramp
`in the introductory phase of the lift by means of the jacks 62,
`With the result that the rocket folloWs the ramp’s movements
`and does not bump against the saddles 65. After the jacking
`up has reached a critical height for the lift, the tension in the
`lifting Wires 71 is increased, thus transferring the Weight of
`the lifting yoke 61 With the rocket 50 from the jacks to the
`lifting Wires, Whereupon the lifting continues by means of
`the lifting Wires in the knoWn manner. The piston rods 68
`With the lifting blocks 69 are loWered as quickly as possible
`after the Weight has been transferred to the lifting Wires, for
`example by rapid drainage of hydraulic ?uid, thus prevent
`ing the rocket from bumping against the piston rods or the
`lifting blocks in the event of an inadvertent movement
`during the continuation of the lift.
`The rocket’s horiZontal movement is kept under control
`both during the introductory phase and the later phase of the
`lift by guiding the lifting yoke in the lateral direction of the
`guide Wires 72.
`The invention has been described in the above With regard
`to one speci?c embodiment. It is obvious, hoWever, that
`several variations are possible Within the scope of the
`invention. For example, the lifting yoke 61 can be designed
`in several Ways, such as a combination of tWo or more
`beams, or a lifting frame. Similarly, it is possible to transfer
`the Weight of the rocket to the lifting yoke in several Ways,
`either With permanently mounted lifting lugs as illustrated,
`or, e.g., by letting the rocket rest in a cradle of rigid or
`?exible material, thus permitting the forces to be transferred
`uniformly from the cylindrical outer side of the rocket to the
`lifting slings or lifting stays.
`
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`6,024,006
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`4
`Furthermore, the attachment of the ramp to both the vessel
`and the ?oating structure can be varied in several Ways.
`Instead of the ramp being suspended in vertical securing
`Wires, it is possible, e.g., to attach the ramp to one of the
`?oating structure’s pontoons or columns. A second alterna
`tive is for the ramp to be provided partially ?oating in the
`Water, Which can reduce the requirement for load-carrying
`capacity for the vessel and/or the ?oating structure. A third
`alternative is to replace the ramp With a barge, Which is
`connected to both the vessel and the ?oating structure in a
`suitable manner.
`The above-mentioned and similar variations, Which Will
`be natural for a person skilled in the art, Will all lie Within
`the scope of the invention.
`What is claimed is:
`1. A method for transferring a horiZontally arranged
`rocket (50) from a vessel (30) to a ?oating structure (20)
`located at sea (10), Wherein the rocket (50) contains a
`payload to be transported into space, and Wherein the
`transfer is effected by bringing the rocket (50) entirely or
`partially to a ramp (40), from Which it is lifted in a horiZontal
`position over to the ?oating structure (20), characteriZed in
`that the method contains the folloWing stages:
`a) the ramp (40) is placed in a position projecting out from
`the vessel (30), completely or partially beloW a lifting
`device (70) provided on the ?oating structure (20),
`b) the ramp (40) is connected to the ?oating structure (20),
`c) the rocket (50) is moved entirely or partially out on the
`ramp (40) and
`d) the rocket is lifted over to the ?oating structure (20) by
`means of the ?oating structure’s (20) lifting device
`(70).
`2. A method according to claim 1, characteriZed in that
`stage a) also entails the ramp (40) being pivotally connected
`to the vessel (30) about a horiZontal axis (32).
`3. A method according to claim 1, characteriZed in that
`stage a) also entails the ramp (40) being entirely or partially
`provided ?oating in the Water (10).
`4. A method according to claim 1 characteriZed in that
`stage b) entails the ramp (40) being connected to the ?oating
`structure (20) by vertical guiding and securing Wires (73)
`attached to a portion of the ramp (40) Which is located
`furthest aWay from the vessel (30), so that the ramp (40) is
`completely or partially suspended by the guiding and secur
`ing Wires.
`5. A method according to claim 4, characteriZed in that
`stage b) entails the ramp (40) being connected to the ?oating
`structure (20) by vertical guide Wires (72) for use during
`lifting of the rocket (50).
`6. A method according to claim 1 characteriZed in that
`stage c) entails the rocket (50) being moved completely or
`partially out on the ramp (40) on one or more carriages (66).
`7. Amethod according to claim 1 characteriZed in that the
`lifting device (70) comprises lifting Wires (71) suspended
`from a crane beam (24).
`8. A method according to claim 1, characteriZed in that
`stage d) entails the rocket (50) being lifted over to the
`?oating structure (20) by means of one or more lifting yokes
`(61).
`9. A method according to claim 5, characteriZed in that
`stage d) entails the rocket (50) being guided in the horiZontal
`direction by guide Wires (72), the guide Wires being passed
`through guides (63) provided in connection With the lifting
`yokes (61).
`
`Space Exploration Technologies; NEW PETITION
`Exhibit 1006
`Page 6 of 6