SBIR-STTR Award

The QED team proposes an Advanced Payload Handling System (APHS) capable of semi-autonomous and/or wireless remotely controlled, omni-directionally maneuvering operations. Selected design candidates will be evaluated with respect to their ability to provide an assured capability of acquiring and lifting both palletized and uniquely shaped payloads from the confines of a standard ISO container or from Twenty Foot Equivalent (TEU) flat-racks and transferring them to the desired location aboard the LCS. The study will focus on the ability of the APHS candidate designs to maneuver precisely on deck in very tight spaces and conduct payload-handling tasks safely whilst the LCS is operating in elevated sea-state conditions. A combination of state-of-the-art engineering analysis tools will be employed to verify the structural design approach and define a safe operational envelope for the APHS under simulated ship motions. Selected APHS candidate designs will be evaluated under the Phase I program comparing their capabilities to defined criteria and metrics developed from the outline presented within this proposal. The results of the study will provide the basis for a candidate system down select and recommendations for a Phase II program to fabricate a full-scale APHS Proof-of-Concept demonstrator for simulated operational test and evaluation.

Benefit:
Anticipated Benefits Provide a highly automated means of safely locating, acquiring, lifting and omni-directionally maneuvering designated payloads under remote, wireless control within the confines of the LCS. Be capable of operating efficiently and safely with minimal operator interaction utilizing onboard sensors and computer control while the LCS is underway and subject to ship motions. Provide a high level of redundancy and alternate operational modes to assure mission objectives are fulfilled should subsystem failures occur. Require minimal personnel training for both system operation and onboard maintenance. Be compatible with and achieve successful physical and operational integration on both Freedom and Independence LCS variant Seaframes. Be capable of moving current Mission Package payloads as well as payloads for defined evolving Mission Package configurations up to 2000-lbs. Be capable of being securely stowed in the smallest possible footprint and meet all Grade B shock qualifications. Be lightweight enough to create LCS weight savings by replacing existing LCS payload handling systems (e.g. overhead cranes, forklifts). Potential Commercial Applications Semi-Autonomous robotic omni-directional lifting and maneuvering of commercial and industrial payloads and equipment in confined spaces in broad range of applications. Remotely controlled operations in hazardous environments (e.g. mining and nuclear).

Keywords:
Robot, Robot, Logistic, handling, Remotely, Support, Controlled,, Payload

Under prior SBIR efforts, a shipboard module handling device was developed called the Confined Container - Lift and Maneuver System or CC-LMS, with a Proof-of-Concept (PoC) demonstrator prototype has been successfully demonstrated at two facilities in Corvallis, OR and at US Navy Depot Port Hueneme, California. The system has adequately demonstrated its ability of safely lifting and omni-directionally maneuvering both standard ISO containers and special flat-racks up to 20-feet long with oversized payloads. The system is designed to operate within the confined deck space aboard both Littoral Combat Ship Variant (LCS1 or LCS2) and other ships. Recognizing the confined space and maneuvering limitations aboard the LCS, particular attention has been paid to operational safety, minimizing the overall system weight and maximizing the flexibility of the CC-LMS for a broad range of mission module operations. The CC-LMS is designed to perform safely carrying a full payload while the ships are operating in elevated sea states. Automated features include the means of rapidly lowering mission modules to the deck when ship motions approach unsafe operating parameters. The system is designed to enable progressive automation of the CC-LMS modes of operation to minimize and simplify personnel interaction and meet emerging future mission requirements. This proposal presents a series of specific tasks that build upon the previous work accomplished on the CC-LMS and focusses upon the areas that require further research and refinement prior to proceeding to the fabrication of a pre-production prototype of the system. The product of this effort will be the design and engineering basis for manufacturing a pre-production prototype to be fabricated and evaluated under a separate SBIR Phase III program.

Benefit:
The CC-LMS was designed to meet the specific needs of container mission module handling requirements on the internal decks of both variants of the Littoral Combat Ships (LCS). Based upon current available information, the LCS Independence variant will be the first to utilize the CC-LMS in the primary role of handling the custom flat-racks having an oversize RHIB payload aboard. The CC-LMS will also be capable of operating within the confines of the LCS Freedom variants deck moving mission modules in and out of to all current known locations.

Keywords:
Advanced Littoral Combat Ship Common Mission Module Handling Device