Container for transporting equipment for space-related applications

Abstract

A container for transporting satellite equipment and other equipment into low-orbit and deep space includes vacuum rigidizing structures covering the interior of each side wall and base of the container. The vacuum rigidizing structures contain microbeads and is connected to a pump mechanism able to transfer air into or out of the vacuum rigidizing structures. Before the equipment is added to the container, air is released from the vacuum rigidizing structures. After the equipment is added, the vacuum rigidizing structures are able to be inflated enough such that the microbeads compactly conform around the equipment, preventing movement while applying minimal pressure to the equipment. The container is capped with a lid lined with aerospace-grade foam.

The invention claimed is: 
     
         1 . A container for transporting equipment, comprising:
 a composite shell, including a plurality of side walls and a base, defining an interior chamber;   a plurality of vacuum rigidizing structures, wherein each interior surface of the composite shell is attached to at least one of the plurality of vacuum rigidizing structures via at least one strap;   wherein at least one vacuum suction line is attached to each of the plurality of vacuum rigidizing structures via at least one intake port; and   wherein the at least one vacuum suction line is attached to at least one pump operable to add air into and/or evacuate air from each of the plurality of vacuum rigidizing structures;   wherein a tension of the at least one strap is adjustable via at least one tightening mechanism; and   wherein at least one vacuum suction line is attached to each of the plurality of vacuum rigidizing structures via at least one intake port.   
     
     
         2 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the composite shell includes carbon fiber reinforced plastic. 
     
     
         3 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of vacuum rigidizing structures are filled with a plurality of microbeads. 
     
     
         4 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of vacuum rigidizing structures are suspended such that the plurality of vacuum rigidizing structures do not physically contact the interior surface of the composite shell. 
     
     
         5 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one vacuum suction line extends through at least one port defined in a side wall of the composite shell, and wherein the at least one vacuum suction line is configured to connect with the at least one pump outside of the composite shell. 
     
     
         6 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the container is configured to hold satellite equipment. 
     
     
         7 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the composite shell includes a lid configured to sealingly close the container. 
     
     
         8 . The container of  claim 7 , wherein the lid includes an attached foam cushion insert. 
     
     
         9 . A container for transporting equipment, comprising:
 a composite shell, including a plurality of side walls and a base, defining an interior chamber;   a plurality of vacuum rigidizing structures, wherein each interior surface of the composite shell is attached to at least one of the plurality of vacuum rigidizing structures;   wherein at least one vacuum suction line is attached to each of the plurality of vacuum rigidizing structures; and   wherein the at least one vacuum suction line is attached to at least one pump operable to add air into and/or evacuate air from each of the plurality of vacuum rigidizing structures.   
     
     
         10 . The container of  claim 9 , wherein the composite shell includes carbon fiber reinforced plastic. 
     
     
         11 . The container of  claim 9 , wherein each of the plurality of vacuum rigidizing structures is filled with a plurality of microbeads. 
     
     
         12 . The container of  claim 9 , wherein the at least one pump is configured to independently add air into and/or evacuate air from each of the plurality of separate vacuum rigidizing structures. 
     
     
         13 . The container of  claim 9 , wherein the at least one vacuum suction line extends through at least one port defined in a side wall of the composite shell, and wherein the at least one vacuum suction line is configured to connect with the at least one pump outside of the composite shell. 
     
     
         14 . The container of  claim 9 , wherein the composite shell includes a lid configured to sealingly close the container, and wherein an interior surface of the lid is attached to a foam layer. 
     
     
         15 . The container of  claim 9 , wherein the plurality of vacuum rigidizing structures are each attached to the composite shell via one or more straps. 
     
     
         16 . A container for transporting equipment, comprising:
 a composite shell, including a plurality of side walls and a base, defining an interior chamber;   a plurality of vacuum rigidizing structures, wherein each interior surface of the composite shell is attached to at least one of the plurality of vacuum rigidizing structures via at least one strap;   wherein at least one vacuum suction line is attached to each of the plurality of vacuum rigidizing structures via at least one intake port;   wherein the at least one vacuum suction line is attached to at least one pump operable to add air into and/or evacuate air from each of the plurality of vacuum rigidizing structures;   wherein at least one vacuum suction line is attached to each of the plurality of vacuum rigidizing structures via at least one intake port; and   wherein the at least one vacuum suction line extends through at least one port defined in a side wall of the composite shell, and wherein the at least one vacuum suction line is configured to connect with the at least one pump outside of the composite shell.   
     
     
         17 . The container of  claim 16 , wherein the composite shell includes carbon fiber reinforced plastic. 
     
     
         18 . The container of  claim 16 , wherein the plurality of vacuum rigidizing structures are filled with a plurality of microbeads. 
     
     
         19 . The container of  claim 16 , wherein the container is configured to hold satellite equipment. 
     
     
         20 . The container of  claim 16 , wherein the plurality of vacuum rigidizing structures are suspended such that the plurality of vacuum rigidizing structures do not physically contact the interior surface of the composite shell.