Patent Publication Number: US-2023159187-A1

Title: An apparatus for transporting a vehicle to space

Description:
FIELD OF INVENTION 
     The embodiments herein generally relate to an apparatus for transporting vehicles. More specifically, the embodiments provide an apparatus for transporting vehicles to space. 
     BACKGROUND AND PRIOR ART 
     A space elevator is proposed type of a planet-to-space transportation system. A known type of space elevator includes a cable (also called a tether) anchored to surface of a planet and extend into space. Vehicles travel along the cable from the planetary surface, such as the Earth&#39;s, to space or orbit, without the use of large rockets. 
     Conventionally, a proposed Earth-based space elevator consists of a cable with one end attached to the surface near the equator and the other end extending into space beyond geostationary orbit (35,786 km altitude). However, these proposed space elevators do not provide adequate safety for humans to travel to space. Also, the speed of these space elevators will be slower due to presence of mechanical means. 
     Therefore, there is a need for an economical space elevator for safely launching satellites and man into space. Moreover, there is a need for an environmentally friendly apparatus for transporting vehicles to space at a higher launching speed. 
     OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION 
     Some of the objects of the present disclosure are described herein below: 
     A main object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus for transporting vehicles to space. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus for transporting vehicles to space at higher speed. 
     Yet another object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus with higher safety for transporting vehicles and humans to space. 
     Still another object of the present invention is to provide an economical apparatus for transporting vehicles to space. 
     The other objects and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following description when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which are incorporated for illustration of preferred embodiments of the present invention and are not intended to limit the scope thereof. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In view of the foregoing, an embodiment herein provides an apparatus for vertically transporting a vehicle to space. In accordance with an embodiment, the apparatus includes a vertical tower having an upper end and a lower end wherein the lower end is below sea level. A horizontal pipe is connected to the lower end of the vertical tower wherein the horizontal pipe extends underground to the sea shore. The vertical tower is filled with water and the horizontal pipe includes a valve for outlet of water. A horizontal inlet pipe is connected to the vertical tower below the sea level wherein the horizontal inlet pipe includes a valve for inlet of water. In an embodiment, a plurality of shutters is placed at intervals in the vertical tower and a platform is provided at the upper end of the vertical tower. 
     In accordance with an embodiment, height of the vertical tower extends to 100 km till the Kármán line. In an embodiment, shape of the vertical tower is cylindrical. 
     In accordance with an embodiment, the vehicle is a launcher. In an embodiment, the vehicle is placed at the intersection of the horizontal pipe and the vertical tower. The density of the vehicle is lesser than water. 
     In accordance with another embodiment, a plurality of wind turbines is placed on outer surface of the vertical tower for generating electricity. 
     These and other aspects of the embodiments herein will be better appreciated and understood when considered in conjunction with the following description and the accompanying drawings. It should be understood, however, that the following descriptions, while indicating preferred embodiments and numerous specific details thereof, are given by way of illustration and not of limitation. Many changes and modifications may be made within the scope of the embodiments herein without departing from the spirit thereof, and the embodiments herein include all such modifications. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
       The detailed description is set forth with reference to the accompanying figures. In the figures, the left-most digit(s) of a reference number identifies the figure in which the reference number first appears. The use of the same reference numbers in different figures indicates similar or identical items. 
         FIG.  1    illustrates a schematic diagram of an apparatus  100  for transporting vehicles to space, according to an embodiment herein. 
     
    
    
     LIST OF NUMERALS 
       100 —Apparatus for transporting vehicles to space 
       101 —Vertical tower 
       102 —Horizontal pipe 
       104 —Valve 
       105 —Horizontal inlet pipe 
       106 —Valve 
       107 , 113 , 114 , 115 —Shutter 
       108 —Sea level 
       109 —Sea 
       110 —Sea shore 
       111 —Vehicle 
       112 —Platform 
       116 —Upper end 
       117 —Lower end 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     The embodiments herein and the various features and advantageous details thereof are explained more fully with reference to the non-limiting embodiments and detailed in the following description. Descriptions of well-known components and processing techniques are omitted so as to not unnecessarily obscure the embodiments herein. The examples used herein are intended merely to facilitate an understanding of ways in which the embodiments herein may be practiced and to further enable those of skill in the art to practice the embodiments herein. Accordingly, the examples should not be construed as limiting the scope of the embodiments herein. 
     As mentioned above, there is a need for an economical and environmental friendly space elevator for launching vehicles to space. Also, there is a need for launching vehicles to space at higher speed. The embodiments herein achieve this by providing “An apparatus for transporting a vehicle to space”. Referring now to the drawing and more particularly to  FIG.  1    where similar reference characters denote corresponding features consistently throughout the figures, there are shown preferred embodiments. 
     FIG . 1  illustrates a schematic diagram of an apparatus  100  for transporting a vehicle to space. The apparatus  100  includes a vertical tower  101 , a horizontal pipe  102 , a horizontal inlet pipe  105 , valves  104 ,  106 , plurality of shutters  107 ,  113 ,  114 ,  115 , vehicle  111 , platform  112 . 
     In an embodiment, the vertical tower  101  includes an upper end  116  and a lower end  117 . The lower end  117  of the vertical tower  101  is placed below the sea level  108  in the sea  109 . The vertical tower  101  is filled with sea water, wherein water in the vertical tower  101  is maintained at a constant level. A plurality of high efficiency pumps are provided along the height of the vertical tower  101  for pumping and filling water through the upper end  116 . In an embodiment, the plurality of shutters  107 ,  113 ,  114 ,  115  is placed at intervals in the vertical tower  101 . The plurality of shutters is provided for dividing the water present in vertical tower  101 , and enabling the shutters to withstand the pressure of water. Height of the vertical tower is 100 km for extending till the Kármán line. The Kármán line is 100 km (about 62 miles) above Earths mean sea level. 
     In an embodiment, a plurality of float sensors is provided inside the vertical tower  101  at intervals. A float sensor is provided below each shutter  107 ,  113 ,  114 , and  115  for identifying the level of water. The float sensors detect the level of water and send the detected signal to microcontroller connected to it. The microcontroller is configured for opening and closing the plurality of shutters  107 ,  113 ,  114 ,  115  based on a signal from the plurality of float sensors. 
     In an embodiment, the shutter  107  opens when the float sensor below the shutter  107  detects water level till level of the horizontal inlet pipe  105 . When the water level reaches below the shutter  113 , the float sensor below the shutter  113  is configured for detecting and sending a signal to the microcontroller for closing the shutter  107  and simultaneously opening the shutter  113 . Similarly, when the water level reaches below the shutter  114 , the float sensor below the shutter  114  is configured for detecting and sending a signal to the microcontroller for closing the shutter  113  and simultaneously opening the shutter  114 . Finally, when the water level reaches below the shutter  115 , the float sensor below the shutter  115  is configured for detecting and sending a signal to the microcontroller for closing the shutter  114  and simultaneously opening the shutter  115 . A float sensor is provided below the upper end  116 . When the water level reached below the upper end  116 , the float sensor detects and sends a signal to the microcontroller for closing the shutter  115 . 
     In an embodiment, the plurality of shutters  107 ,  113 ,  114 ,  115  are also operated manually using electric motors. Motor operated shutters are provided optionally as an alternative for closing and opening the shutters  107 ,  113 ,  114 ,  115  when the float sensors are not used. 
     In an embodiment, the valves  104 ,  106  are operated using sensors. The valves can be operated manually using electric motors. 
     In an embodiment, the vertical tower can be built by using conventional means of construction. In another embodiment, the vertical tower can be constructed by means of space tethering. 
     The horizontal pipe  102  is connected at the lower end  117  of the vertical tower  101 . The horizontal pipe  102  is fitted with a valve  104 . The valve  104  when opened lets out water from the horizontal pipe  102 . The horizontal pipe  102  extends into the sea shore  110 . 
     In an embodiment, the horizontal inlet pipe  105  is connected to the vertical tower  101  just below sea level. The horizontal inlet pipe  105  is fitted with a valve  106 . The valve  106  when opened, allows water into the horizontal inlet pipe  105  from the sea  109 . The opening of the horizontal inlet pipe  105  includes water filter for filtering water entering from the sea into the horizontal inlet pipe  105 . 
     In an embodiment, the platform  112  is provided at the upper end  116  of the vertical tower  101 . The platform  112  is provided for placing the vehicles  111  transported to the upper end  116  from the lower end  117  of the vertical tower  101 . 
     In an embodiment, the vehicle  111  is placed at the intersection of the horizontal pipe  102  and the vertical tower  101 . The density of the vehicle  111  is lesser than the density of sea water. The vehicle  111  is transported from the lower end  117  of the vertical tower to the upper end  116  of the vertical tower  101  due to positive buoyancy. In an embodiment, the vehicle  111  is a launcher. The vehicle  111  can be manned or unmanned. 
     In an embodiment, material of the vertical tower  101 , horizontal pipe  102 , horizontal inlet pipe  105 , valves  104  and  106 , shutters  107 ,  113 ,  114 ,  115  is corrosion resistant and does not corrode in salty sea water. In a preferred embodiment, aluminium is the material used for the vertical tower  101 , horizontal pipe  102 , horizontal inlet pipe  105 , valves  104  and  106 , shutters  107 ,  113 ,  114 ,  115  as it is corrosion resistant. 
     In an embodiment, the vehicle  111  is constructed similar to the conventional Atlantis shuttle. The vehicle  111  can accommodate man and material for floating from the lower end  117  till the upper end  116  of the vertical tower  101 . After reaching the platform  112 , the vehicle can fly down to a desired destination on the earth. 
     In another embodiment, the vehicle  111  is constructed in a shape of a sphere. The sphere shaped vehicle  111  can accommodate both man and material and float from the lower end  117  to the upper end  116  of the vertical tower  101 . A track along the vertical tower  101  is designed for holding the sphere shaped vehicle  111  and transporting it to the earth from the platform  112 . The track is a circular shaped track for holding the sphere shaped vehicle  111  looped along the vertical tower  101 , similar to the conventional roller coaster tracks. 
     In another embodiment, the vehicle  111  is constructed in any desired shape. After floating through the vertical tower  101  to the platform  112 , the vehicle  111  can be modified to fly. The modified vehicle  111  can now land in the earth using the flying means. 
     The shape of the vehicle  111  is not limited to the above embodiments. The vehicle  111  can be modified to any shape for floating through the vertical tower  111  and perform landing back to the earth. 
     In an embodiment, the method of using the apparatus  100  is described in the following steps. 
     First, the vertical tower  101  is filled with sea water from the shutter  107  to the upper end  116  of the vertical tower  101 . Conventional means of pumping is used for filling the vertical tower  101  with water from the sea. High efficiency pumps are used for filling water in the vertical tower  101 . A plurality of pumps is fixed along the height of the vertical tower  101  for filling water in the vertical tower  101 . The height of water in the vertical tower  101  is maintained constant from the shutter  107  till the upper end  116 . 
     After the vertical tower  101  is filled, and the plurality of shutters  107 ,  113 ,  114 ,  115  is closed, the valve  104  is opened. The vertical tower  101  below the shutter  107 , the horizontal inlet pipe  105  and the horizontal pipe  102  are not filled with water and remain empty. The vehicle is driven from an opening of the horizontal pipe  102 , through the horizontal pipe till the lower end  117  of the vertical tower  101  at the intersection of the vertical tower  101  and the horizontal pipe  102 . Now, the valve  104  is closed. 
     Now, the inlet valve  106  is opened for allowing sea water in the horizontal inlet pipe  105 . The water from the horizontal inlet pipe  105  flows downward into the vertical tower  101  and water is filled in the vertical tower  101  below the shutter  107  till the lower end  117 . Now, the inlet valve  106  of the horizontal pipe  105  is closed. 
     The flow of water allows the vehicle  111 , having density lesser than water, to float till the level of water below the shutter  107 , due to positive buoyancy. The shutter  107  is opened after the vehicle  111  reaches position below the shutter  107 , for launching the vehicle through the vertical tower  101  to the upper end  116  above Kármán line. The opening of the shutter  107  allows the flow of water filled in the vertical tower  101  downward till the level of water already present in the vertical tower  101 . The flow of water allows the vehicle  111  to float upwards till the next closed shutter  113 . When the vehicle reaches the position below the shutter  113 , the shutter  107  is closed. The level of water below the shutter  113  is reduced due to gap between the shutter  107  and the sea level  108 . 
     Next, the shutter  113  is opened, wherein the vehicle  111  floats to the next closed shutter  114 . The shutter  113  is closed. The level of water below the closed shutter  114  maintains the reduction obtained due to the gap between the shutter  107  and the sea level  108 . 
     Next, the shutter  114  opens wherein the vehicle  111  floats to the level of water below the closed shutter  115 . Now, the shutter  114  is closed. 
     When, the shutter  115  is opened the vehicle floats to the upper end  116  of the vertical tower  101 . The shutter  115  is now closed. The level of water below the upper end  116  maintains the reduction due to the gap between the shutter  107  and the sea level. The vehicle  111  is lifted from the upper end  116  of the vertical tower using a lifting means. The lifting means places the vehicle  111  on the platform  112 . In an embodiment, the lifting means is a magnetic device. 
     In an embodiment, after the transportation of the vehicle  111  till the upper end  116 , the level of water in the vertical tower  101  is reduced. The reduction in the level of water is directly proportional to the gap between the shutter  107  and the sea level  108 . In an example embodiment, the diameter of vertical tower  101  is “d” meters and a gap between the lower most shutter  107  and the sea level  108  is “g” meters. Hence, the volume of water reduced can be obtained according to volume of cylinder, π*r*h. Here, radius r is d/2 and height h is g. Hence, volume of water reduced is π/2*d/2*g kL. The calculated volume of water is filled in the vertical tower  101  at the upper end  116  to compensate the reduction in level of water. 
     In an embodiment, a plurality of wind turbines is placed on outer surface of the vertical tower  101 . The wind turbines are provided for generating electricity. In an embodiment, electricity generated from the plurality of wind turbines is used to pump water to upper end  116  of the vertical tower  101  to compensate the reduction in level of water. 
     After transportation of the vehicle  111  to the platform  112  from the upper end  116  of the vertical tower  101 , the valve  104  is opened for letting out water present below the closed shutter  107  in the vertical tower  101 . 
     In an embodiment, a turbine is placed at opening of the horizontal pipe  102  in the sea shore  110  for generating electricity during outflow of water. 
     A main advantage of the present invention is that it provides an apparatus for transporting vehicles to space at a higher speed. 
     Another advantage of the present invention is that it provides an economical apparatus for transporting vehicles to space. 
     Yet another advantage of the present invention is that it provides an apparatus for transporting vehicles to space with higher safety and no error. 
     Still another advantage of the present invention is that it provides an environmental friendly apparatus for transporting vehicles to space. 
     Another advantage of the present invention is that apparatus helps in reusing launched satellites. 
     The foregoing description of the specific embodiments will so fully reveal the general nature of the embodiments herein that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily modify and/or adapt for various applications such specific embodiments without departing from the generic concept, and, therefore, such adaptations and modifications should and are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalents of the disclosed embodiments. It is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation. Therefore, while the embodiments herein have been described in terms of preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the embodiments herein can be practiced with modification within the spirit and scope of the embodiments as described herein.