C. Robert Palmer
Engineering at Post Oak Blvd, Houston, TX
License number
Louisiana PE.0009905
Issued Date
Jun 14, 1965
Expiration Date
Mar 31, 2018
Category
Civil Engineer
Type
Mechanical Engineer
Address
Address
520 Post Oak Blvd SUITE 780, Houston, TX 77027
Professional information
Offshore Launching System
US Patent:
4916999, Apr 17, 1990
Filed:
Oct 27, 1988
Appl. No.:
7/263625
Inventors:
C. R. Palmer - Houston TX
Robert A. Keller - Houston TX
Daniel F. McNease - Spring TX
Robert A. Keller - Houston TX
Daniel F. McNease - Spring TX
Assignee:
Rowan Companies, Inc. - Houston TX
International Classification:
F41F 304
US Classification:
89 1815
Abstract:
A jack-up type of offshore oil-drilling platform is adapted for rocket launching, wherein the rocket is assembled on a mobile launch pad in a protected on-shore facility then loaded onto the floating jack-up barge for transport to a launch site miles offshore. The barge is jacked up to create a stable, sea-bottom supported structure; a particular feature is the used of a movable cantilever structure on which the rocket and its supporting pad are loaded while in the on-shore facility, then this structure is moved to a central location on the barge, the barge is floated, and the floating barge is towed to the launch site. At the launch site the structure is moved back to a cantilevered position for launch. In this manner the exhaust gasses from the rocket motors can be directed harmlessly into the sea.