Modular transport container for satellites

• US 6,237,795 B1
• Filed: 05/26/2000
• Issued: 05/29/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 05/26/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Air Force Government of The United States of America As Represented By The Secretary, Owen Industries Incorporated
• Original Assignee: The United States of America As Represented By The Secretary of Agriculture
• Inventors: Wegner, Peter, Buckley, Steven, Denover, Keith, Denover, Sirirak, Fosness, Eugene, Lane, Steven A., Griffin, Steven F., Gussy, Joel
• Primary Examiner(s): MOY, JOSEPH MAN
• Application Number:
  US09/580,191
• Time in Patent Office: 368 Days
• Field of Search: 220/1.5, 220/592.2, 220/592.25, 206/386, 206/583, 206/521, 206/591
• US Class Current: 220/1.5
• CPC Class Codes: B64G 1/641 Interstage or payload connectors docking systems B64G1/646
• CPC Class Codes: B64G 1/6425 arrangements for damping vibrations
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 19/44 Elements or devices for locating articles on platforms
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 81/02 specially adapted to protect contents from mechanical damage containers of polygonal cross-section provided with internal protecting elements for contents B65D5/50; devices to locate articles in containers B65D25/10
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 81/18 providing specific environment for contents, e.g. temperature above or below ambient with thermal insulation B65D81/38; ice-boxes with cooling means F25D
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 81/2046 under superatmospheric pressure B65D81/2069 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 81/24 Adaptations for preventing deterioration or decay of contents; Applications to the container or packaging material of food preservatives, fungicides, pesticides or animal repellants with thermal insulation B65D81/38
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 85/38 for delicate optical, measuring, calculating or control apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: Y02W 30/80 Packaging reuse or recycling, e.g. of multilayer packaging bio-packaging Y02W90/10

Abstract

A modular reusable transport container system is described for safely transporting small or medium size satellites and other sensitive cargo. The invention incorporates shock and vibration isolation systems, environmental control systems, integrated power converters, battery backup systems, and monitoring systems.

Claims

1. A modular transport container for launch vehicle payloads/adapter ring assemblies providing vibration isolation, temperature, humidity, and air quality environment control, said container comprised of:

a. a mounting assembly interposed between the payload adapter ring and a transport palet, said mounting assembly comprised of

a circular mounting platform having a top surface, a bottom surface, and openings for the passage of a gas with the payload adapter ring being attached to said platform'"'"'s top surface,

a plurality of adjustable vibration isolators interposed between the bottom surface of said circular mounting platform and a base ring, said base ring having at least one input and output valve for the passage of a gas, and

a gasket seal to provide an airtight seal between the pallet and the base ring;

b. an environmental cover assembly comprised of

a plurality of cylindrically-shaped shroud sections having gasket seals at the top and bottom of each section whereby airtight seals can be obtained, the first-shroud section being lowered over the satellite and mounting assembly and attached to the base ring and successive shroud sections being attached as necessary to enclose the payload, and

a lid attached to the top shroud section; and

c. external systems for maintaining the desired environment comprised of

a positive pressure gas purge system, means for maintaining a desired temperature within the modular container, monitor sensing means for measuring temperature, humidity, and vibration levels, and power source means for operating said external systems.

2. The modular transport container of claim 1, wherein said positive pressure gas purge system uses nitrogen gas.

3. The modular transport container of claim 2, wherein said means for maintaining a desired temperature consists of means for heating or cooling the gas of the positive pressure purge system.

4. The modular transport container of claim 2, wherein a plurality of transverse/lateral vibration isolators are connected to support assemblies attached to said mounting platform to moderate lateral vibrations.

5. The modular transport container of claim 1, wherein said gasket seal is replaced by a bottom plate and said adjustable isolators are instead positioned between said bottom plate and said pallet.