System and method for dimpled spherical storage units
View Patent ↗A dimpled spherical storage unit is described in the form of a cargo ball. The cargo ball includes a spherical exterior surface and a plurality of dimples in a pattern on the exterior surface. At least a first cover is configured to extend outward from the center of the cargo ball and at least a first thruster is configured to be deployed from the cargo ball.
1. A cargo ball comprising:
a single spherical structure with a spherical exterior surface that spins in a plurality of directions;
a plurality of dimples in a pattern on substantially all of the spherical exterior surface;
at least a first curved cover shaped to lay flush and/or seamless with the spherical exterior surface in an undeployed state and configured to open in a deployed state; and
at least a first thruster inside the single spherical structure and under the first curved cover in the undeployed state, wherein the at least first thruster is configured to be deployed through the at least first curved cover to an outside position from the cargo ball in the deployed state.
2. The cargo ball of claim 1 , further comprising at least one arm attached to the thruster, wherein the at least one arm extends through the at least first curved cover to an outside position from the cargo ball, wherein the thruster is at the end of the arm.
3. The cargo ball of claim 2 , wherein the arm is rotatable through some portion of a circle to allow the thruster to be directed in different directions.
4. The cargo ball of claim 2 , further comprising four arms extending from the cargo ball in each of four opposite quadrants of the outer surface of the cargo ball.
5. The cargo ball of claim 1 , further comprising:
a main engine cover shaped to lay flush and/or seamless with the spherical exterior surface in the undeployed state and includes the plurality of dimples; and
a main engine positioned inside the cargo ball in the undeployed state, wherein a nozzle of the main engine is exposed when the main engine cover is opened and the main engine is deployed to provide thrust to the cargo ball.
6. The cargo ball of claim 1 , further comprising an outer shell made from a thin ferromagnetic material or superconducting material.
7. A method comprising:
launching a cargo ball toward outer space with the cargo ball spinning, wherein the cargo ball has a spherical structure having a spherical exterior surface and a plurality of dimples in a pattern on the exterior surface;
during launch, positioning at least one thruster in an undeployed state inside the single spherical structure under a curved cover, wherein the curved cover is shaped to lay flush and/or seamless with the spherical exterior surface of the cargo ball;
after launching the cargo ball, deploying the thruster by opening the curved cover and extending the thruster through the curved cover to an external position outside of the spherical exterior surface of the cargo ball;
operating the thruster to stop the cargo ball spinning and to maneuver the cargo ball to an intended destination; and
returning the thruster to an undeployed state by retracting the thruster inside the single spherical structure of the cargo ball and closing the curved cover to lay flush and/or seamless with the spherical exterior surface.
8. The method of claim 7 , further comprising directing the thruster in different directions during operation of the thruster to maneuver the cargo ball.
9. The method of claim 8 , wherein launching the cargo ball comprises launching the cargo ball with a spin and maneuvering with spin thrust or wherein maneuvering the cargo ball comprises de-spinning the cargo ball.
10. The method of claim 8 , wherein launching the cargo ball comprises launching the cargo ball from an upper atmosphere and wherein deploying the thruster comprises deploying the thruster after leaving the upper atmosphere or entering space.
11. The cargo ball of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of dimples on substantially all of the spherical exterior surface means the plurality of dimples are on 60% or more of the exterior surface.