On Wed, Mar 4, 2015 at 11:31 AM, [Traveller_TNE] <
> wrote:
> My idea for a hoist system was not the big ones you see at container
> ports or even the smaller vehicle ones that just drive over a container and
> latch on and drive off with, but something lighter. Just how big a
> container can fit through a 20 m2 cargo hatch.
>
Figure 4.5 meters square abouts, so a standard 3 meter square 4 dTon
container will fit comfortably through.
I pictured something like two rails running for and aft along the upper
> corners of the bay with a cross I-beam connecting them. Attached to the
> cross beam would be a frame that could be extended or retracted to connect
> to the top of cargo containers up to about 4 tons, at the corners. Or in
> place of the container frame, or addition to it, a cargo hook that cables
> can be attached to.
>
You are pretty much describing a bridge crane, which would be ideal for the
purpose.
>
> I like the idea about light weight air-freight containers. I never gave
> them a thought but they would dove-tail nicely with a small ship like a
> J-Hawk.
>
That is another thought, and simpler too. Many cargo aircraft have roller
systems as part of their cargo decks. In a lot of ways I like the aircraft
model for smaller starships.
--
Evyn
> wrote:
> My idea for a hoist system was not the big ones you see at container
> ports or even the smaller vehicle ones that just drive over a container and
> latch on and drive off with, but something lighter. Just how big a
> container can fit through a 20 m2 cargo hatch.
>
Figure 4.5 meters square abouts, so a standard 3 meter square 4 dTon
container will fit comfortably through.
I pictured something like two rails running for and aft along the upper
> corners of the bay with a cross I-beam connecting them. Attached to the
> cross beam would be a frame that could be extended or retracted to connect
> to the top of cargo containers up to about 4 tons, at the corners. Or in
> place of the container frame, or addition to it, a cargo hook that cables
> can be attached to.
>
You are pretty much describing a bridge crane, which would be ideal for the
purpose.
>
> I like the idea about light weight air-freight containers. I never gave
> them a thought but they would dove-tail nicely with a small ship like a
> J-Hawk.
>
That is another thought, and simpler too. Many cargo aircraft have roller
systems as part of their cargo decks. In a lot of ways I like the aircraft
model for smaller starships.
--
Evyn