Telescoping Pole Cable System for Upright Rocket Stabilization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Upright rockets are unstable and prone to toppling due to lateral loading conditions such as wind, external contact, and gravitational loads, especially when landing on moving platforms like ships.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising a platform with telescoping poles and cables that surround the landing area, tightening around the rocket after it lands to secure it upright, thereby reducing instability and risk.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the rocket is left unsecured on the platform, then the rocket design can be simplified and mass reduced, but the rocket becomes unstable and prone to toppling under lateral loading conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary securing system consisting of cables and poles that mediate between the rocket and the platform. The cables extend from the platform through telescoping poles to engage with the rocket body, providing stabilization without requiring modifications to the rocket's own structure. This intermediary system allows the rocket to maintain simplicity while achieving stability through the external cable network.
2Stability of the object's composition
If a securing system is implemented to stabilize the rocket, then rocket stability improves, but the device complexity and potential damage to the landing deck increase
Solution Approach 1:
The securing system is segmented into multiple functional components: platform-mounted poles, tensioning mechanisms, and cable sections. Each pole can telescope independently, and cables can be tensioned at different locations along the rocket body. This segmentation allows the system to provide comprehensive stabilization while keeping individual components simple and manageable.
Solution Approach 2:
The poles are designed to telescope dynamically, allowing them to extend or retract based on the rocket's size and the securing requirements. The cables can be tensioned and relaxed as needed. This dynamic capability enables the system to adapt to different rocket configurations and loading conditions without requiring an overly complex fixed structure.
3Force
If cables are tightened around the rocket body, then the moment applied to the rocket body and landing legs is reduced, but the risk of damage to the landing deck increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the tensioning function from the landing deck itself by using telescoping poles that extend vertically from the deck surface. The cables are tensioned at the pole locations rather than being anchored directly to the deck, which distributes the mechanical loads away from the deck structure and reduces the risk of damage during tightening operations.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods for securing an upright rocket. The rocket may be on a moveable platform, such as a landing area of a ship. The rocket may land on the deck, and the system may include cables that surround the landing area. The cables may be tightened about the rocket after the rocket has landed in an upright position. The system may include poles that telescope upward, such that the cables may tighten about the upright rocket at various heights along the body of the rocket.