Clockable Secondary Payload Bridge for Launch Vehicle Balance

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing payload adapters have static secondary payload ports, which cannot be modified, leading to issues with launch vehicle balance and reduced payload capacity due to the need for ballast when secondary payloads of unequal mass are attached in a non-symmetrical manner.

Innovation Solution

A clockable secondary payload bridge with removably attached attachment points allows for dynamic positioning around the circumference of the payload adapter, enabling adjustable placement of secondary payloads and accommodating varying geometries without re-designing the adapter.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If secondary payload ports are made static and fixed in location within the payload adapter shell, then the adapter structure is simplified and easier to manufacture, but the adaptability to accommodate varying secondary payload geometries and mass distributions is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadapter structureVSAvoidpayload configuration

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The payload adapter is segmented into a fixed shell structure and movable secondary payload bridges. The shell provides the static structural framework, while the bridges can be independently positioned and attached at different locations around the circumference, allowing configuration flexibility without complicating the main adapter structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The secondary payload bridges are designed with dynamic positioning capability, allowing them to be moved to different angular positions around the payload adapter circumference. This enables the system to adapt to different payload geometries and mass distributions while maintaining a simple fixed shell structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Stability of the object's composition

If ballast is added to balance the launch vehicle when secondary payloads are attached in non-symmetrical manner, then launch vehicle controllability is improved, but the usable payload mass is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelaunch vehicle balanceVSAvoidusable payload mass

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The secondary payload bridges can be dynamically positioned at different angular locations around the payload adapter. This allows the secondary payloads to be arranged in a symmetrical or balanced configuration, eliminating the need for ballast to achieve launch vehicle balance, thereby preserving usable payload mass.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Stability of the object's composition

If ballast is introduced to provide balance for non-symmetrical payload attachment, then launch vehicle controllability is improved, but the targetable orbit energy is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelaunch vehicle controllabilityVSAvoidtargetable orbit energy

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

By enabling dynamic positioning of secondary payload bridges, the system allows for balanced payload configurations that eliminate the need for ballast. This preserves the launch vehicle's mass budget, thereby maintaining maximum targetable orbit energy while ensuring controllability through proper mass distribution.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

4Adaptability or versatility

If secondary payload ports are made clockable with removably attached bridges, then the adaptability to accommodate varying payload geometries is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepayload positioningVSAvoidattachment mechanism

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The complex functionality of clockable payload positioning is achieved by segmenting the system into a simple fixed shell and movable bridges with attachment points. This segmentation allows the complex positioning capability to be implemented through relatively simple attachment mechanisms rather than requiring complex integrated systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS11565834B2Clockable secondary payload bridges for a payload adapter

Publication Date: 2023.01.31 GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC

AI summary

A secondary payload bridge for a payload adapter is disclosed and includes a body portion, plurality of payload ports, and a secondary payload port. The plurality of attachment points are connected to the body portion of the secondary payload bridge. The plurality of attachment points are configured to removably attach the secondary payload bridge to the payload adapter to allow for clockable positioning of the secondary payload bridge around a circumference of the payload adapter. The secondary payload port is connected to the body portion. The secondary payload port is configured to releasably attach to a corresponding secondary payload.