JP2000247300A - Rocket launcher and rocket launch complex equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To facilitate rated access at a low cost in a rocket launcher and rocket launch complex equipment using the rocket launcher. SOLUTION: A rocket launcher 3 installing a rocket 1 vertically on a launch mount 2 is provided with a launcher body 6 that can mount the rocket 1 in a horizontal state; a rising frame 7 provided at the launcher body 6 along the mounted rocket 1 so as to be able to attach and detach the rocket 1; and a frame moving mechanism 8 for derricking the rising frame 7 in a vertical state and a horizontal state. The rising frame 7 is provided with a stage part 9 that can be brought close to and separated from the upper part of the rocket 1, and a stage moving mechanism 10 for moving the stage part 9.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a rocket launching apparatus in which a rocket carrying an artificial satellite or the like is installed vertically on a launch pad, and a rocket launching facility using the same.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art When launching a rocket equipped with an artificial satellite, adjustment is made to the artificial satellite installed immediately before launch, that is, with the rocket standing upright on the launch pad provided on the firing point. It is desired to perform such operations as so-called late access. For this reason, conventionally, there is a launch facility that has a large maintenance building having a height similar to that of the rocket at the firing point and accesses a satellite above the rocket. There were also rocket launch facilities that made it impossible to access the top of the vertical rocket.

[0003]

However, providing a maintenance building, which is a large building, at the firing point for maintenance increases the cost and requires the installation of a stage near the top of the rocket for access. There was an inconvenience that it took time and effort to remove this access stage at the time of launch.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in consideration of the above-described problems, and has as its object to provide a rocket launching apparatus that can easily perform late access at low cost and a rocket launching facility using the same.

[0005]

The present invention has the following features to attain the object mentioned above. That is, in the rocket launching device according to claim 1, a rocket launching device in which the rocket is installed in a vertical position at a firing position, and the device body capable of mounting the rocket in a horizontal state, and the rocket mounted along the rocket. An upright frame provided on the apparatus body to which a rocket can be attached and detached, and a frame movable mechanism that raises and lowers the upright frame in a vertical state and a horizontal state, wherein the upright frame is a stage unit that can approach and separate from an upper part of the rocket. And a stage moving mechanism for moving the stage section.

The rocket launching apparatus includes an upright frame provided on the apparatus body along the rocket to be mounted, on which the rocket can be attached and detached, and a frame movable mechanism for raising and lowering the upright frame in a vertical state and a horizontal state. However, since it has a stage portion that can be approached and separated from the top of the rocket and a stage moving mechanism that moves the stage portion, the stage portion can be easily approached by being brought close to the top of the rocket in a standing state. At the same time, the stage can be easily separated and retracted from the rocket during launch. That is, when preparing to launch the rocket, the stage unit is previously separated from the rocket by the stage moving mechanism and retracted, and in this state, the standing frame is raised by the frame movable mechanism together with the rocket. After this, the stage is brought close to the upper part of the rocket by the stage moving mechanism, and maintenance of artificial satellites and the like is performed on this stage. When the launch is performed after the maintenance, the stage and the standing frame are not obstructed by launching by moving the stage and tilting the standing frame to separate and retreat from the rocket.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a rocket launching device according to the first aspect, wherein the device body includes a main body moving mechanism which enables the entire device to move in a horizontal direction. .

[0008] In this rocket launching apparatus, since the apparatus main body is provided with a main body moving mechanism that allows the entire apparatus to move in the horizontal direction, when mounting the rocket, the rocket is placed away from the firing point to prepare for launch. When performing, move the rocket launcher to the firing point, place the rocket on the firing point,
Further, at the time of launch, the rocket launching device can be retracted away from the rocket on the firing point.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided the rocket launching apparatus according to the first or second aspect, wherein the stage has a through hole formed in the center thereof, and the stage moving mechanism includes the rocket in the through hole. A technique of moving the stage portion so that the upper portion of the stage is inserted is adopted.

In this rocket launching apparatus, a through hole is formed in the center of the stage, and the stage moving mechanism moves the stage so that the upper portion of the rocket passes through the through hole. When the upper portion is inserted, the stage portion comes close to the entire circumference of the upper portion of the rocket, and maintenance and the like can be easily performed.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the rocket launching device according to any one of the first to third aspects, a technique is employed in which the stage is provided so as to be detachable from the standing frame. Is done.

In this rocket launching device, the stage is provided detachably with respect to the upright frame. Therefore, when the rocket is assembled or mounted on the upright frame, it is necessary to remove the stage in advance. There is no hindrance to work.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the rocket launching device according to any one of the first to third aspects, the upright frame is provided between the lower portion and the stage portion when the upright frame is in a vertical state. A technology with a movable elevator is employed.

In this rocket launching apparatus, since the upright frame is provided with an elevator that can move between the lower portion and the stage portion when the upright frame is in a vertical state, the stage portion is moved to the upper portion of the upright rocket. When access is performed in a raised state, the operator can easily climb on the elevator from the lower part of the standing frame and perform maintenance, etc., after the work is completed. You can get down and evacuate.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the rocket launching apparatus according to any one of the first to fifth aspects, the launching apparatus is mounted on the standing frame in a horizontal state and detachably supports a lower portion of the rocket. A support is provided on the launch pad, the support is provided along the mounted rocket, and the support is detachable from the rocket, and the support and the upright frame are detachable from each other. Technology is adopted.

In this rocket launcher, since the support column and the upright frame are detachable from each other, the rocket is raised by the upright frame together with the support column.
After the rocket is installed together with the launch pad at the firing point, the rocket launch device can be separated from the rocket by removing the support pillar from the standing frame, and can be evacuated during launch. In addition, the support pillar can function as an umbilical mast for supplying fuel or the like.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided a rocket launching facility comprising: a rocket launching device according to any one of the second to fifth aspects;
A technology including a horizontal maintenance building that stores the rocket launcher that is installed at a position separated from the firing point and that holds the standing frame in a horizontal state and mounts the rocket is employed.

This rocket launch facility has a horizontal maintenance building which houses a rocket launcher which is installed at a position away from the firing point and in which the upright frame is in a horizontal state, and mounts a rocket. The rocket can be mounted (including assembling) on the device, and it is not necessary to provide a maintenance building as high as the rocket that has been erected, and work can be performed at a low position as a whole.

[0019]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of a rocket launching apparatus and rocket launching equipment using the same according to the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. In these figures, reference numeral 1 denotes a rocket, 2 denotes a firing point, 3 denotes a rocket launching device, and 4 denotes a horizontal maintenance building.

As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the rocket launching equipment according to the present embodiment includes a rocket launching device 3 for placing the rocket 1 in a vertical state and placing it on the firing point 2, and a rocket being placed at a distance from the firing point 2. A horizontal maintenance building 4 for storing the launching device 3 and assembling or mounting the rocket 1 is provided. The rocket launcher 3 includes a lower frame (device main body) 6 on which the rocket 1 attached to the launch pad 5 can be mounted in a horizontal state, an upright frame 7 provided on the lower frame 6 along the rocket 1 to be mounted, An upright device (frame movable mechanism) 8 such as a hydraulic cylinder that rotates the upright frame 7 about a hinge portion 7a to raise and lower it in a vertical state and a horizontal state is provided.

The upright frame 7 includes a late access stage (stage section) 9 which can approach and separate from the rocket 1 on which the artificial satellite is mounted, and a rack for moving the late access stage 9 along the upright frame 7. And a stage moving mechanism 10 of a type. Furthermore, the upright frame 7 includes a rack-type elevator 11 that can move between the lower portion (the upper surface of the launch pad 5) and the late access stage 9 in a vertical state.

The lower frame 6 has a plurality of traveling wheels (main body moving mechanism) which enable the entire apparatus to move in the horizontal direction.
12 is provided on the lower surface. That is, by disposing the traveling wheels 12 on the rails 13 laid between the horizontal maintenance building 4 and the firing point 2, the rocket launcher 3 is pulled between the horizontal maintenance building 4 and the firing point 2 by a towing vehicle or the like. Is movable. A driving operation room (not shown) for operating the rocket launching device 3 is provided at the upper end of the lower frame 6.

The late access stage 9 has a through-hole 9a formed in the center, and the stage moving mechanism 10
The rocket 1 is moved so that the upper part of the rocket 1 is inserted into the through hole 9a. Furthermore, the late access stage 9 is provided detachably from the upright frame 7 from the tip thereof, and as shown in FIG.
It is made to stand by in horizontal maintenance building 4. The launch pad 5 is provided with an umbilical mast (support column) 14 arranged along the attached rocket 1.

The umbilical mast 14 is a rocket 1
And a support damper 15 that opens and closes to support the rocket 1 detachably. Umbilical mast 14
As shown in FIG. 3 (d), is supported by the launch table 5 so that it can be tilted from a vertical state by a tilting device 16 such as a hydraulic cylinder provided at the base end.

Further, the umbilical mast 14 is provided with a connecting pin 17 by which the umbilical mast 14 and the upright frame 7 can be detached from each other. The launch pad 5
Is provided with a launch mount 18 for detachably supporting the lower portion of the rocket 1. When the launch pad 5 is set on the upright frame 7, the connecting pin is detachable (not shown).
Supported by

The horizontal maintenance building 4 is provided with a mounting table 4a for moving the late access stage 9 by a stage moving mechanism 10 and holding it when the late access stage 9 is removed from the tip of the standing frame 7.

Next, a method of late access in the rocket launching device 3 and the rocket launching facility of the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

[Transfer / Assembly of Rocket] First, in the horizontal maintenance building 4, as shown in FIG. 2A, the rocket 1 is transferred onto the rocket launcher 3 in which the standing frame 7 is in a horizontal state. Alternatively, assembly (mounting) and mounting of the launch pad 5 are performed. The lower part of the rocket 1 is fixed to the launch pad 5 by a launch mount 18. At this time, the late access stage 9 is previously moved by the stage moving mechanism 10 so as not to hinder the work, and is arranged so as to be separated from the tip of the upright frame 7 to the mounting table 4a.

[Installation of Late Access Stage] After the transfer / assembly of the rocket 1 is completed, as shown in FIG.
The late access stage 9 of the mounting table 4a is moved and attached to the upright frame 7 by the stage moving mechanism 10. At this time, the late access stage 9 is connected to the through hole 9a.
To move the rocket 1 through the top,
The satellite will be installed at a location where the onboard satellite can work.

[Movement to the firing point] In this state, as shown in FIG. 2 (c), the rocket launching device 3 is pulled by the towing vehicle, and the rocket launching device 3 is mounted on the rail 13 together with the rocket 1 in the horizontal maintenance building. Move from 4 to firing point 2.

[Mounting / Launching Table Installation] After being moved to the firing position 2, the rising frame 7 is raised on the firing position 2 together with the umbilical mast 14 and the rocket 1 by the raising device 8 as shown in FIG. Let it.

[Latest Access Start] When performing late access of the artificial satellite, as shown in FIG. 3A, the elevator 11 on which a worker is placed and located on the lower part of the standing frame 7, that is, on the launch pad 5, is placed. Raise and carry the worker to the late access stage 9. At this time, since the late access stage 9 is arranged so as to surround the upper portion of the rocket 1, maintenance can be easily performed.

[End of Late Access] After completion of the work on the satellite, as shown in FIG. 3 (b), the worker descends again on the elevator 11, descends on the ground, and retreats to a safe position.

[Laydown of Standing Frame] In order to launch, as shown in FIG. 3 (c), first, the late access stage 9 is moved to a position where the upper part of the rocket 1 completely passes through the through hole 9a. Raise by 10. Next, the connection between the upright frame 7 and the umbilical mast 14 and the launch pad 5 is released. Thus, the rocket 1 and the rocket launching device 3 are completely separated. In this state, the erecting frame 7 is changed from the vertical state to the horizontal state by the erecting device 8, and is again dropped on the lower frame 6.

[Retreat to Horizontal Maintenance Building] The rocket launching device 3 having finished transferring the rocket 1 to the firing point 2 is again towed by the towing vehicle, moved on the rails 13 and retracted to the horizontal maintenance building 4. When the rocket 1 is launched, the holding of the rocket 1 by the support damper 15 is released, the umbilical mast 14 and the rocket 1 are separated, and the umbilical mast 14 is inclined so as to be separated from the rocket 1 launched by the inclining device 16. I do.

As described above, in the present embodiment, the late access stage 9 can be easily accessed by approaching the upper part of the rocket 1 in the upright state, and the late access stage 9 and the rocket launching device 3 can be launched from the rocket 1 at launch. Can be separated and evacuated in a short time.

[0037]

According to the present invention, the following effects can be obtained. (1) According to the rocket launching device according to the first aspect, an upright frame provided on the device main body along the mounted rocket to which the rocket can be attached and detached, and a frame movable mechanism for raising and lowering the upright frame in a vertical state and a horizontal state. With
Since the upright frame includes a stage section that can approach and separate from the top of the rocket and a stage moving mechanism that moves the stage section, the stage section can be easily brought close to the top of the rocket even after the rocket is upright. Can be accessed without the need for large buildings on the firing point,
Cost can be reduced. Further, at the time of launch, the stage portion can be separated from the rocket and retracted in a short time, and it is possible to cope with a short launch preparation work.

(2) According to the rocket launching device according to the second aspect, since the device main body is provided with the main body moving mechanism that enables the entire device to move in the horizontal direction, when the rocket is mounted / assembled, When preparing for launching to a place away from the firing point, the rocket can be placed on the firing point with the rocket mounted, and at the time of launching, can be separated from the rocket on the firing point and evacuated.

(3) According to the rocket launching device of the third aspect, the through hole is formed in the center of the stage, and the stage moving mechanism moves the stage so that the upper portion of the rocket passes through the through hole. Therefore, by inserting the upper portion of the rocket into the through hole, maintenance and the like can be easily performed over the entire periphery of the upper portion of the rocket, and workability can be improved.

(4) According to the rocket launching device of the fourth aspect, since the stage is provided detachably with respect to the upright frame, the stage can be assembled or mounted on the upright frame. If the stage is removed in advance, the work is not hindered, and the workability of assembling and the like can be improved.

(5) According to the fifth aspect of the rocket launching apparatus, since the upright frame is provided with the elevator that can move between the lower portion and the stage when the upright frame is in the vertical state, the upright frame is in the upright state. Workers can be easily carried to the stage near the upper part of the rocket, and workers can be evacuated in a short time at launch.

(6) According to the rocket launching device according to the sixth aspect, since the support post and the upright frame are detachable from each other, after the rocket is installed on the firing point, the support post is moved from the upright frame to the support post. By removing the portion, the rocket can be easily separated from the rocket, the rocket launcher can be retracted, and the remaining support pillar portion can function as an umbilical mast or the like.

(7) According to the rocket launch facility of the seventh aspect, there is provided a horizontal maintenance building which stores a rocket launching device which is installed at a position separated from the firing point and has a standing frame in a horizontal state, and mounts a rocket. As a result, work can be performed at a low position in the horizontal maintenance building as a whole, making assembly work easier, and there is no need to install a maintenance building that is as tall as the height of the rocket that has been raised. As a result, cost reduction can be achieved.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a rocket launching apparatus and a rocket launching facility according to an embodiment of the present invention, in which a rocket is erected.

FIG. 2 is a schematic side view showing a procedure before a late access in the embodiment of the rocket launching apparatus and the rocket launching facility according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a schematic side view showing a procedure after a late access in the embodiment of the rocket launching apparatus and the rocket launching facility according to the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Rocket 2 Launcher 3 Rocket launcher 4 Horizontal maintenance building 5 Launch pad 6 Lower frame (device main body) 7 Standing frame 8 Standing device (frame moving mechanism) 9 Late access stage (stage part) 9a Through hole 10 Stage moving mechanism 11 Elevator 12 Running wheels (main body moving mechanism) 14 Umbilical mast (support column)

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuing on the front page (72) Inventor Tsutomu Hoshii 1-19-10 Mori, Koto-ku, Tokyo Inside the Koto Office of Harima Heavy Industries, Ltd. (72) Inventor Kenichi Komori 1-19-10, Mori, Koto-ku, Tokyo Ishikawajima Harima Heavy Industries Co., Ltd.Koto Office

Claims (7)

[Claims] 1. A rocket launching device (3) for placing a rocket (1) in a vertical state on a firing point (2), the device body (6) being capable of mounting the rocket in a horizontal state.
An upright frame (7) provided on the apparatus main body along the rocket to be mounted, to which the rocket can be attached and detached; and a frame movable mechanism (8) for raising and lowering the upright frame in a vertical state and a horizontal state. A rocket launching apparatus comprising: a standing frame (9) capable of approaching and separating from an upper part of the rocket; and a stage moving mechanism (10) for moving the stage. 2. The rocket launching device according to claim 1, wherein the device body (6) includes a body moving mechanism (12) that enables the entire device to move in a horizontal direction. apparatus. 3. The rocket launching device according to claim 1, wherein the stage (9) has a through hole (9a) formed at the center thereof, and the stage moving mechanism (10) has a through hole formed in the through hole. A rocket launching device characterized in that the stage is moved so that an upper part of the rocket (1) is inserted therethrough. 4. The rocket launching device according to claim 1, wherein the stage (9) is detachably provided to the upright frame (7). Rocket launcher. 5. The rocket launching device according to claim 1, wherein the upright frame is movable between a lower portion and the stage section with the upright frame in a vertical state. A rocket launching device, comprising: an elevator (11). 6. The rocket launching device according to claim 1, further comprising a launching table (2) mounted on the upright frame in a horizontal state and detachably supporting a lower portion of the rocket. The launch pad is provided with a support column (14) arranged along the mounted rocket (1) and detachably supporting the rocket. The support column and the upright frame (7) A rocket launcher characterized by being detachable from each other. 7. The rocket launching device according to claim 2, wherein the rocket launching device is installed at a position separated from the firing seat and the upright frame is in a horizontal state. And a horizontal maintenance building (4) for mounting the rocket (1).