Patent Publication Number: US-2022227502-A1

Title: Systems, methods, and devices for launching space vehicles using magnetic levitation, linear acceleration thermal energy scavenging, and water steam rockets

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     Not Applicable. 
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
     Not Applicable. 
     REFERENCE TO SEQUENCE LISTING, A TABLE, OR A COMPUTER PROGRAM LISTING MEDIA APPENDIX 
     Not Applicable. 
     This application is a nonprovisional filing with priority to a provisional application, No. 63/134,625, filed on 7 Jan. 2021. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to several fields within Spacecraft patents (Class 244/158.1). The present invention is primarily a method for Orbital Insertion (Class 244/158.5) and utilizes techniques from the following additional fields: Launch From Surface to Orbit (Class 244/171.3), Horizontal Launch (Class 244/171.4), Having Aerodynamic Lifting Body (Class 244/159.3), With Payload Accommodation (Class 244/173.1), having Active Thermal Control (Class 244/171.8), and Steam Rockets as part of Launching (Class 244/63). 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     Throughout the history of Aerospace Engineering, the only viable way to send a vehicle from the surface of the Earth into space has been via rocketry. Using the vast majority of initial liftoff mass for reaction fuel, only a very small percentage of total mass launched achieves orbit. Historically 90% or more of the mass initially launched is burned in the Earth&#39;s atmosphere as reaction fuel, producing thrust via exhaust. Even if traditional rocketry is made vastly cheaper, the environmental impact of multiple daily launches has not been properly analyzed, and it is certain to have an adverse environmental impact as not only hydrogen and oxygen burn when the fuel combusts, but also a host of other elements that when added cumulatively, could make for significant impacts. Excessive costs for limited payload capacity and environmental concerns stifles Space exploration efforts and more economical and environmentally friendly options are required. 
     Magnetic Levitation and Linear Accelerators have been explored as an alternative method of space launch in science fiction literature and in a variety of patents both granted and abandoned over the years, but no practical research has been published due to the unsurmountable expense and dubious chance for success of the various methods proposed. These economically unviable solutions include building a launch system on the side of one of the Himalaya Mountains, or having rail systems that change their angle of incline while the launch projectile is moving at hypersonic speeds, neglecting to account for inertial forces against the rail bed, the rail sled, and the projectile. Additional improbable solutions include building the rail launch system inside of a miles long tube, with the last few miles built almost 1000 feet into the air on a straight incline of 57 degrees. Most neglect to even mention or address mitigation methods to the prevent excessive heat buildup from the thermal shockwave developed at supersonic and hypersonic speeds while travelling within significant atmospheric pressures close to one (1) atm. While the vast majority of proposed solutions don&#39;t deal with the heat generated from moving mass at hypersonic speeds through the atmosphere, a few solutions that do include using ice or frigid liquid to offset the launch heat, or reducing the atmosphere with high altitude construction in the remotest places on the planet, and even floating the rail launch system at extreme altitudes with dirigibles. None of the proposed solutions account for economic viability and/or feasibility and each that has been researched in depth has included significant flaws in practical applicability. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION 
     The present invention seeks to dramatically reduce the cost and environmental impact of launching materials into space, with added benefits of providing a reusable platform that can manage dozens of daily launches with only electricity and distilled liquid water steam as inputs and leaving only supercritical water steam vapor as an exhaust. Specifically, the invention comprises devices, apparatus, and methodology for launching durable materials as cargo into Earth orbit at an industrial scale, operating 24/7 year-round by means of a specially designed reusable Space Plane Launch Vehicle that is accelerated to hypersonic speeds horizontally on a magnetic levitation linear accelerated sled at near sea-level atmospheric pressure. Utilizing specifically configured airfoils, the energy from the hypersonic thermal shockwave is directed close to leading edges of the nose and wing areas and the energy from this shockwave is scavenged by thermal shielding that both protects the craft internals from excessive heat, and transmits that heat energy through an thermal transport system that conducts heat from the shielding to an internal boiler chamber where a distilled liquid water steam payload is converted into thousand plus degree supercritical ultra-high pressure steam which, converted to thrust by a nozzle control system, continues to accelerate the Space Plane Launch Vehicle long after acceleration from the Magnetic Levitation Linear Accelerator system has completed. To increase efficiency at the expense of thermal scavenging potential, encasing the entire rail in a concrete shell with air handling stations installed along the length at intervals, that removes the majority of the atmosphere from the first portion of the launch, will be advantageous. Burying the majority of the launch rail underground will accomplish the same goal, but at the expense of rail serviceability. Using adjustable flight surfaces and an actuated rocket nozzle, controlled by an integrated autonomous flight computer, the Space Plane Launch Vehicle will adjust the pitch angle to an appropriate escape vector depending on programed destination and structural capacity of craft and cargo for high-G maneuvers. Flight will continue until the thermal energy has been exhausted, or the liquid water steam fuel is itself exhausted. Using a combination of liquid water steam fuel payload, boiler chamber size, initial linear accelerated take-off velocity, and thermal transport system configuration, a wide variety of orbits can be attained. Once orbit is achieved, a traditional orbital maneuvering system using liquid or cryogenic gas propellant rocket engines will be used for orbital injection after main steam rocket cutoff, orbital corrections during flight, and final deorbit burn for reentry, where the Space Plane Launch Vehicle lands like a seaplane on the water and is refurbished for the next flight. Cargo weight can be sacrificed and landing gear installed enabling the Space Plane Launch Vehicle to land on an appropriately sized airstrip. As an example, a fleet of approximately one thousand Space Plane Launch Vehicles with a single Magnetic Levitation Linear Accelerator Rail would enable six launches per hour, twenty-four hours per day, seven days per week, assuming a Space Plane Launch Vehicle could be refurbished and made ready for flight within seven days from landing, and that time in orbit was kept to just a few hours to unload cargo. 
     In one embodiment of the present invention, it is comprised of a horizontal magnetic levitation linear accelerator rail platform, a magnetically levitated drive sled, an optional magnetically coupled dual-purpose space plane launch vehicle cradle/extra liquid water steam fuel tank, and an automated integrated computer controlled reusable cargo carrying space plane launch vehicle with specially designed airfoil, heat sink thermal shielding, heat-pump thermal energy transport system, a distilled liquid water steam storage and delivery system, and a super-heated steam boiler/rocket nozzle control system. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a side view of the total system in practice, with marked stages of operation; 
         FIG. 2  is a top-down perspective view of the Space Plane Launch Vehicle; 
         FIG. 3  is a side view of  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 4  is a front view of  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 5  is a top view of different stages of magnetic levitation linear accelerator rail; 
         FIG. 6  is a front view of magnetic levitation linear accelerator rail with space plane launch vehicle sled and cradle; 
         FIG. 7  is a front view of the magnetic levitation linear accelerator sled mounted with cradle and space plane launch vehicle on the magnetic levitation linear accelerator rail. 
         FIG. 8  is a side detail view of the three stages of thermal energy scavenging. 
     
    
    
     REFERENCE NUMERALS IN THE DRAWINGS 
     
         
         
           
               10  Space Plane Launch Vehicle 
               12  Magnetic Levitation Linear Induction Rail System 
               14  Launch Stage 
               20  Leading Edge Thermal Shield Airfoil 
               22  Thermal Transport System 
               24  Boiler Chamber 
               26  Steam Exhaust Thrust Control System 
               28  Distilled Liquid Water Steam Storage 
               30  Water Flow Controller 
               40  Cargo Bay 
               42  Cargo Bay Doors 
               50  Magnetic Levitation Rail Bed 
               52  Magnetic Levitation Electromagnets 
               54  Sled Stabilizer Electromagnets 
               60  Space Plane Launch Vehicle Accelerator Sled 
               62  Space Plane Launch Vehicle Sled Cradle (optional) 
               70  Supersonic Thermal Shockwave 
               72  Hypersonic Thermal Shockwave 
           
         
       
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENT INVENTION 
     Referring now to the invention in more detail, in  FIG. 1 , there is shown side view time lapse visualization of the Space Plane Launch Vehicle  10 , on a Magnetic Levitation Linear Accelerator Rail System  12 , displaying five phases of launch  14  (A-E). Stage A is from stand-still to supersonic speeds. Stage B is from supersonic to hyper sonic speeds. Stage C is post hypersonic and beginning of additional steam rocket power. Stage D is decoupling from launch sled and free flight course correction burn to escape vector. Stage E is full power burn to escape velocity and orbital insertion. A variety of attitude and vector changes may occur on any of these stages to maximize efficiency. 
     In  FIG. 2 ,  FIG. 3 , and  FIG. 4  there is shown the Space Plane Launch Vehicle from a Top View, Side View, and Front View respectively. Contained within the Space Plane Launch Vehicle are Leading Edge Thermal Shield Airfoils  20  on the leading edges of both wings and the nose region, a Thermal Heat Transport system  22 , which connects the Thermal Shield Airfoils  20  to the Boiler Chamber  24 , which provides the extra energy to the liquid water steam fuel, sourced from the Distilled Liquid Water Steam Storage  28  by the Water Flow Controller  30 , and the super-critical steam generated is directed out an exhaust nozzle via the Steam Exhaust Thrust Control System  26 . Once orbital altitude is reached, the Cargo Bay Doors  42  open, exposing the Cargo Bay  40  for cargo removal. 
     In  FIG. 5  there is shown three different stages of the Magnetic Levitation Linear Induction Rail System  50  (A-C), showing ever greater spacing of the Magnetic Levitation Electromagnets  52 , while consistent spacing for the Sled Stabilizer Electromagnets  54  is demonstrated across the three stages (A-C). 
     In  FIG. 6  there is a front view cut away of the Magnetic Levitation Linear Induction Rail System  50 , and the Space Plane Launch Vehicle Accelerator Sled  60  with the Space Plane Launch Vehicle Sled Cradle  62  shown for reference. 
     In  FIG. 7  there is displayed a similar front view of the Magnetic Levitation Linear Induction Rail System  50  as is displayed in  FIG. 6 , but with the addition of the Space Plane Launch Vehicle  10 , and the Space Plane Launch Vehicle Accelerator Sled  60  and Space Plane Launch Vehicle Sled Cradle  62  assembled together and placed on the rail system. 
     In  FIG. 8  there is shown the three main stages of the method for thermal energy scavenging utilizing the Space Plane Launch Vehicle  10 , on the three stages of Magnetic Levitation Linear Induction Rail System  50  (A-C) with the resultant Supersonic Thermal Shockwave  70  for stage (B) and Hypersonic Thermal Shockwave for stage (C). 
     The basis of the invention rest upon several natural principles: A) Magnetic Levitation, B) Magnetic Linear Accelerators (a method of accelerating mass with electrical power), C) supersonic and hypersonic atmospheric thermal shockwaves, D) unique properties of supersonic and hypersonic airfoils, E) the fundamental principles of Thermal Conduction, Induction, and Radiation, F) unusual properties of high temperature conductive alloys, G) Boyle&#39;s Law and Charles&#39;s Law relating to gasses, and H) traditional Rocket Science. 
     Magnetic Levitation is a technique where an object is supported entirely by magnetic fields, usually generated by electromagnets. The repulsion of magnetic forces, following Lenz&#39;s Law, provide for contactless and stable positioning. This invention utilizes Magnetic Levitation for Space Plane Launch Vehicle Accelerator Sled positioning on the Magnetic Levitation Linear Induction Rail System. 
     Magnetic Linear Accelerators have been in use since the invention of electromagnets, and convert magnetic energy into kinetic energy by relying on the strength of opposing magnetic fields to cause a magnetic chain reaction to launch an object at high speed. The Magnetic Linear Accelerator is built into the Magnetic Levitation Linear Induction Rail System, with each successive Magnetic Levitation Electromagnet also providing a pulling acceleration growing ever greater in strength as the Space Plane Launch Vehicle Accelerator Sled approaches, and turns off to collapse its magnetic field just as the sled passes over. As the sled travels faster and faster, the timing and power of the electromagnets will need to be adjusted, as conversion of electromagnetic energy into kinetic energy takes time. As the sled moves faster, it will have less time exposed to each individual electromagnet, so to provide for even acceleration and optimal power use, electromagnet drivers will be spaced further and further apart, while growing stronger in field strength. The three primary stages of linear acceleration are (A) from full stop to supersonic speeds, (B) from supersonic to hypersonic speeds, and (C) faster than hypersonic. While at full stop, gravity will be pulling the sled assembly down to the tracks and magnetic repulsion will be keeping the sled assembly from touching, but as the craft goes faster and faster, the airfoil will begin to exhibit lift and will attempt to increase altitude. The stabilizer electromagnets will keep the sled pushed down against the repulse fields of the magnetic levitation drivers at first, and then will keep the sled from flying off because of the lift forces on the Space Plane Launch Vehicle. At hypersonic speeds, and when the electromagnet drivers are becoming spaced further and further apart, the steam rocket will kick in, keeping thrust constant or accelerating. 
     From the dawn of supersonic flight, engineers have had to contend with shockwaves formed from excessive air compression at the leading edges of airfoils. Moving up to hypersonic speeds, the shockwaves produce very high temperatures corresponding to the level of compression of the atmosphere, which at very high speeds of thousands of miles per hour, can reach temperatures in the thousands of degrees centigrade. Thermal failure of critical components was common in early test flights and is still of paramount concern. This invention is novel in that it uses this thermal energy to power acceleration, where all prior spacecraft and aircraft others simply try to mitigate it. 
     As part of the efforts to mitigate supersonic and hypersonic shockwaves, a wide variety of airfoils have been developed that exhibit useful properties like the ability to keep harmful shockwaves projected at some distance away from the physical airframes of the craft, and as an example, it was a feature of the Space Shuttle&#39;s airfoil that kept super-heated air plasma projected away from the surface of the shuttle, and it was a failure of the airfoil, due to physical surface changes on the Space Shuttle that occurred from missing ceramic tiles that had become dislodged during launch. The ability to modify exactly where the thermal shockwave will occur is critical to this invention, as the thermal shockwave will be focused near to thermal shielding of the Space Plane Launch Vehicle mounted on the leading edges of the wings and nose. 
     Accordingly, by the fundamental principles of Thermal Conduction, Induction, and Radiation, thermal energy concentrated on the thermal shielding/heat sinks on the leading edges of the wing and nose of the Space Plane Launch Vehicle, can be transported via a network of heat pumps and thermal transport systems, which are all connected to the boiler chamber, keeping the boiler chamber at over 1,000 degrees centigrade, even as it is converting liquid water steam fuel into super-critical steam exhaust. The entire thermal transport system, and boiler will be pre-heated to operating temperature via magnetic or electric induction immediately prior to launch, and will only have less than a minute or two to cool down before being refreshed with thermal energy from the hypersonic shockwave. As long as velocity is maintained, or increased as atmospheric density decreases, the hypersonic shockwave will transmit mega joules in energy to the boiler. 
     By adding distilled liquid water steam to the boiler chamber, the principles of Boyle&#39;s Law and Charles&#39;s Law relating to gasses come into play, in that the heat energy will cause the liquid water steam to convert to a super-critical steam, and would easily cause the entire craft to explode with great force if it were not for a controlled exhaust system combined with an actuated nozzle allowing control of thrust. By adding only an appropriate amount of liquid water steam fuel, at an appropriate time, the super critical steam exhaust pressure can be maintained at a consistent level providing consistent thrust. 
     The calculations for mass flow rate over time are the foundations of rocket science, and at this stage, the invention performs like a simple rocket producing thrust which translates into a specific impulse. Using the aerodynamic control surfaces of the Space Plane Launch Vehicle allow it to attain an escape vector, and the actuated rocket nozzle allows for adjustments once there is insufficient atmospheric pressure which will leave the aerodynamic control surfaces useless, along with an array of maneuvering thrusters mounted on the Space Plane Launch Vehicle. 
     The advantages of the present invention include, without limitation, that it dramatically reduces the cost and environmental impact for transporting high volumes of durable goods into Earth orbit, while greatly increasing the total volume of materials that Humanity can put into orbit, enabling the creation of much larger space projects then have heretofore not been possible. Large interplanetary spacecraft, orbital colonies, staging areas for Moon and Mars colonies and more will all require huge volumes of building materials, oxygen, water, food stuffs, and other durable goods, and the primary purpose of this invention is to provide the systems, methods, and devices for making these endeavors possible. 
     The Space Plane Launch Vehicle represents a refinement over past space plane inventions like the Space Shuttle and the X-37b, which are both launched vertically from conventional rockets. This invention presents an entirely novel way to achieve escape velocity, starting horizontally at sea level, harnessing the very energy that other craft need to mitigate. By using only electricity to both pre-heat the thermal systems of the Space Plane Launch Vehicle, and for launching it via the Magnetic Levitation Linear Accelerator Rail, the environmental impact of the Megawatt power generation facility is tied directly to how the power is generated. Nuclear power will generate no carbon footprint, but has the associated radiation issues. Solar power will also generate no carbon footprint, but the environmental impact of a solar power farm would need to be considered. By using only liquid water steam as fuel mass, the exhaust will be super-critical steam, which will convert almost instantly into water vapor. The entire system will be essentially be a cloud generator and could possibly change the albedo of the area where it is constructed and could also change the local weather patterns if used at full potential, bringing higher humidity, more cloud cover, and rain. 
     While the invention will most likely not be suitable for delicate cargo, like instruments, electronics, and biologics/crew, it is very suitable for items like space construction tubing, space construction plating, radiation shielding, fuel, batteries, storage tanks, pipes and fittings, oxygen, water, foodstuffs, heavy tools, and a myriad of other durable goods that would be required in orbit if Mankind is to make a serious attempt to move into Space. 
     The invention would come at great financial cost, as it would require dozens of linear miles of dedicated land for the launch facility, which would also serve as a landing facility as it would need to be built by a large body of water. It would require the construction of a multi-hundred megawatts power generation facility and the construction of the most powerful, level, and precise magnetic levitation linear accelerator ever created. The Space Plane Launch Vehicle would be expensive to engineer, but the per-unit cost would be very reasonable, with the most significant cost being the metal alloys that made up the thermal shield/heat sinks, thermal transport system, and boiler, and the exotic materials used to make the majority of the hull. Once constructed, however, it would be, by far, the cheapest way, per ton, to launch durable goods into orbit and would have the smallest possible environmental impact, certainly much smaller than common methods used today.