Modular Dunnage Assembly for Rocket Shipping

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional dunnage assemblies require multiple configurations to accommodate rockets of varying lengths, leading to increased shipping costs and warehouse space requirements due to the need for unique assemblies and containers, complicating inventory management.

Innovation Solution

A modular dunnage assembly comprising removably attached sections with varying lengths, each with parallel tubes and collars, and an insert member to protect rocket nozzles, allowing for flexible configuration within a standard shipping container to accommodate rockets of different lengths.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional dunnage assemblies use fixed configurations for each rocket length, then each rocket size can be securely held, but shipping costs and warehouse space increase due to needing multiple unique assemblies and containers

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesecure holding of rocketsVSAvoidaccommodation of multiple rocket lengths

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The dunnage assembly is divided into multiple detachable sections, each with specific lengths and tube configurations. These sections can be combined in different ways to create dunnage assemblies suitable for various rocket lengths, eliminating the need for completely different assemblies for each rocket size.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The dunnage assembly transitions from a fixed, static configuration to a dynamic, reconfigurable structure. The detachable sections allow the assembly to be dynamically adjusted and reconfigured based on the specific rocket dimensions being shipped, providing adaptability while maintaining secure holding capabilities.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Manufacturing precision

If multiple unique dunnage assemblies are manufactured for different rocket lengths, then each assembly can be optimized for its specific rocket size, but inventory management becomes complicated and warehouse space is consumed

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoptimized fit for specific rocket sizeVSAvoidinventory management complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The detachable sections are designed with universal interfaces and standardized features that allow them to function in multiple configurations. Each section can be used with different rocket sizes when combined with other sections, reducing the total number of unique components needed while maintaining optimized fit for each specific application.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Adaptability or versatility

If differently configured dunnage assemblies and shipping containers are used for various rocket lengths, then each configuration can be tailored to the specific rocket, but shipping costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetailored configuration for specific rocketVSAvoidshipping cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

By segmenting the dunnage assembly into standardized detachable sections, the system allows tailored configurations for different rocket lengths using the same basic components, eliminating the need for completely different assemblies and containers for each rocket size, thereby reducing manufacturing and shipping costs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

4Device complexity

If a single dunnage assembly design is used for all rocket lengths, then inventory management is simplified, but rockets of different lengths cannot be shipped in the same container

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinventory management simplicityVSAvoidaccommodation of multiple rocket lengths in one container

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The dunnage assembly's reconfigurable nature allows it to adapt to different rocket lengths through simple reconfiguration of detachable sections, enabling multiple different-length rockets to be shipped in the same container while maintaining standardized inventory of basic components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS11939151B1Dunnage assembly

Publication Date: 2024.03.26 THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AS REPRESENTED BY THE SECRETARY OF THE NAVY

AI summary

A dunnage assembly has a plurality of dunnage sections removably attached to each other and includes a forwardmost dunnage section and an aftmost dunnage section. The forwardmost dunnage section has the longest length and the aftmost dunnage section has the shortest length. Each dunnage section has a plurality of tubes and a plurality of tube collars that support the tubes such that the tubes are substantially parallel to each other. Each tube of each dunnage section has an interior region sized to receive a longitudinally extending item and is substantially coaxially aligned with a tube of an adjacent dunnage section. Each tube collar has a plurality of thru-holes therein where each thru-hole is sized to receive a portion of a tube. Each dunnage section includes a tube collar removably attached to a tube collar of an adjacent dunnage section.