Grav-Sled

[Rigel Stardin]

I want to see what you think before I finish the right up. Suggest welcome

The Inflatable Gravitronic Sled (Grav-Sled) can be placed on board a ship as stand-in for a normal Air raft. The vehicle is normally used by exploration team to transport equipment and personal over short distances. They can also be used as emergency transportation in case of a crash landing.

Grav-Sled is very limited in altitude and speed. Flying at just over 3 meters (10 ft.) off the ground and at a speed of 18 kilometers (10 miles) per hour. They have a 7 day duration, after which there energy cells must be recharged by a ship's power plant or the solar charging station provided with the kit. The solar charging station takes 12 hours of direct sunlight to charge the cell.

The Grav-Sled is 6 Meters (19.5 ft.) long by 2.2 meters wide (7 ft.) and weights only 165 kilograms (363 lbs). It can carry 14 people or 1750 kilograms (1.9 tons) of cargo and has an interior floor space of 5.2 meters2.

The air chamber is made of a composite material slightly stronger than Kevlar. This prevents rips and tears while traversing rough terrain or forested areas. The air chamber are filled by a built in air pump. There are 5 chambers on either side. The advantage here is that if one chamber loses air the sled will remain structurally sound.

The interior of the craft consists of 4 solid plates which contains the Grav-nodes. These run down the center of the craft. Curved poles connect the plates to rings which are slipped over the inflated air chambers. A finely weaved cargo net completes the floor. Two Energy Cells with small solar panels are fitted to the end of the air chamber and power the craft. Control is a remote control which sits in the lap of the pilot. The remote can also be used outside the craft.

No piloting skill is required to operate this vehicle. The Grav-Sled however performs more like a small hovercraft and caution must be used when turning because of its large turning radius. Assembling the sled takes approximately 1 hour.

Known problems are as follows:
1. Without a load, the Grav-Sled flips over in a strong breeze. 2. While travelling downhill the sled will pick up speed resulting in some lost of control. 3. Strong breezes make it difficult to handle. 4. Can flip over in stormy weather even with a load. 5. The sled is not water tight and can't land on water.

The Grav-Sled store into a 2.5 by 1.5 by 1 meter storage case and takes up 1 ton of cargo space. However, three units can be stack in that space. Cost is 60 TCr.

The Kit contains: Operator's manual, 2 air collars, front and rear panels with rings, 6 connecting rings and rods, 1 solar recharging station, 2 Energy Cells (inside rear of air collars), 4 floor plates, cargo netting floor, 2 grab ropes with mounting brackets and remote control.

Design based off Military RB-15 rubber raft.

 

[Xerxeskingofking]

Cost is 60 TCr?

did you mean 60 KCr, or does it really cost 60 trillion credits?

can the solar planels be used to "trickle charge" the system while it is still running? could such a system be a aftermarket add on?

whats the rough range on the control pad? and can you slave several sleds to one controler in a sort of train?

 

[Rigel Stardin]

Cost is 60 TCr?

did you mean 60 KCr, or does it really cost 60 trillion credits?

can the solar planels be used to "trickle charge" the system while it is still running? could such a system be a aftermarket add on?

whats the rough range on the control pad? and can you slave several sleds to one controler in a sort of train?

I've also used TCr to mean Thousands of Credits.

Solar panels trick charge the batteries while the craft is operational. However, it still needs to be recharge totally once every 7 days.

Range for the remote is probably "within view of the Operator".

Slaving them together, hadn't thought about that? I did think about towing which would involve some rope and the Sled being set to the same hieght as the one doing the towing.
That is a very good idea thou

 

[Xerxeskingofking]

i guessed you meant 60,000 Cr, i was just pointing out that it might cause confusion if you used a unit that differed form the standard useage, which has been kilocredits in everything i have seen.

what i was thinking was having a add on kit that was a sufficiently large solar panel to allow effectivly unlimited useage.

another add on could be a watertight seal, to allow for wet landings.

how about a sail? given a good wind, a i'm sure you could get the thing up 12-15 knots, a signifcant improvement, so long as you kept the sails trimmed properly you could avoid capsizing.

i was thinking about the slave idea becuase it would make sense if you were trying to move bulky but lightish cargo, like, say freshly harvested crops. You could have a whole string of the sleds follow a singled piloted seld, and have a RC harvester with a seperate pilot devilering its goods to the selds. it would be useful on a frontier/colonly world with poor infrastructure, where manpower would be too tight to give every sled a pilot and the budget won't strech to completly automated set ups.

 

[Nightwind1]

So this is a grav-Zodiac?

 

[Rigel Stardin]

Nightwind: essentially you are correct, I wanted a vehicle similar to a Air/raft but not with the range or duration of that craft.

Xerxes: I have taken your thoughts on the grav-sled and designed one that would fit the bill. I just need to do the write up and I'll post it some time this week.

 

[Condottiere]

Add compartment/chambers for water ballast, that can easily be filled or emptied.

 

[Jame]

Nightwind: essentially you are correct, I wanted a vehicle similar to a Air/raft but not with the range or duration of that craft.

Xerxes: I have taken your thoughts on the grav-sled and designed one that would fit the bill. I just need to do the write up and I'll post it some time this week.

I would also suggest 1.) a way to make it enclosed, as opposed to pressurized, though you could do that too, and 2.) suggest ways of making it more stabilized - though if you present it as jury rigging I'd take it. "Naw, we didn't get this weight from some manufacturer, buddy! It's, wachoocall, 'field repairs.' Who knew a Vargr could be clever?"

 

[Rigel Stardin]

Condottiere: adding ballast tanks would reduce the sled ability to carry loads it was intended too.

Jame: I'm being vague about a "Strong Breeze" for a reason. This allows GM some lee way in their interuptation of the write up. You're not going to take an inflatable raft into a raging storm at sea. So why not impose this limitation on the Grav-sled considering, the sides are just filled with atmospheric gases.

I want everyone to consider the following. The standard air/raft is 4 tons. It carries 4 people and 4 tons of cargo. The Grav-sled which is based on a military Zodiac style raft and can carry 1.9 tons of cargo. We know the interior of the raft 5 meters, so the cargo space on an air/raft is twice the size of a 14 man raft.

According to the information on the raft I'm using for scale the interior 4.2 meters by 1.3meters. That would make the standard cargo area on an Air/raft 4.2 meters by 2.6 meter. This doesn't include driver and passenger's seats, avionics, fuel tank (or batteries) and engine? Just off the top of my head, a ruff estimate is probably 7 to 8 meters in lenght and 3 meters wide.

Just fuel for thought...

 

[Condottiere]

Like balloons and airships, the ballast is there to add stability if the vehicle is too light, and having built in compartments ensures that the ballast is evenly distributed.

 

[atpollard]

5. The sled is not water tight and can't land on water.

While I generally like the idea, I would respectfully suggest that an inflatable vehicle like this can innately land on water ... how can air-filled kevlar pontoons NOT float?

 

[Rigel Stardin]

While I generally like the idea, I would respectfully suggest that an inflatable vehicle like this can innately land on water ... how can air-filled kevlar pontoons NOT float?

I never said it couldn't land on water, It's just not water tight.

Correct: I'll change that in the discription. I'm sorry for the misunderstanding.

 

[Rigel Stardin]

This is the revised description of the Grav-Sled:

The Inflatable Gravitronic Sled (IGS) can be placed on board a ship as stand-in for a normal Air raft. The vehicle is normally used by exploration team to transport equipment and personal over short distances. They can also be used as emergency transportation in case of a crash landing.

Grav-Sled is very limited in altitude and speed. Flying at just over 3 meters (10 ft.) off the ground and at a speed of 18 kilometers (10 miles) per hour. They have a 7 day duration, after which there energy cells must be recharged by a ship's power plant or the solar charging station provided with the kit. The solar charging station takes 12 hours of direct sunlight to charge the cell.

The Grav-Sled is 6 Meters (19.5 ft.) long by 2.2 meters wide (7 ft.) and weights only 165 kilograms (363 lbs). It can carry 14 people or 1750 kilograms (1.9 tons) of cargo and has an interior floor space of 5.2 meters2.

The air chamber is made of a composite material slightly stronger than Kevlar. This prevents rips and tears while traversing rough terrain or forested areas. The air chamber are filled by a built in air pump. There are 5 chambers on either side. The advantage here is that if one chamber loses air the sled will remain structurally sound. The air chambers do not offer protection from projectile, edge or energy weapons.

The interior of the craft consists of 4 solid plates which contains the Grav-nodes. These run down the center of the craft. Curved poles connect the plates to rings which are slipped over the inflated air chambers. A finely weaved cargo net completes the floor. Two Energy Cells with small solar panels are fitted to the end of the air chamber and power the craft. Control is a remote control which sits in the lap of the pilot.

The remote can also be used outside the craft within the operator's line of sight (1 kilometer). Up to three Grav-sleds can be linked to the same controller. this allows the Operator to 'tow' them behind him. The remotes for the Sleds being towed must remain inside the sleds being 'towed' and switched on to slave mode. While in slave mode, the micro computer is delayed by several seconds in order for the trailing sled to follow the exact same path set by the operator in the lead sled.

No piloting skill is required to operate this vehicle. The Grav-Sled however performs more like a small hovercraft and caution must be used when turning because of its large turning radius. Assembling the sled takes approximately 1 hour.

Known problems are as follows:
1. Without a load, the Grav-Sled flips over in a strong winds. 2. While travelling downhill the sled will pick up speed resulting in some lost of control. 3. Strong winds make it difficult to handle. 4. Can flip over in stormy weather even with a load. 5. The sled is not water tight, however it can land on water. 6. The cargo netting floor can snag in brushy and forested terrains. 7. While in slave mode, the micro computer is delayed by several seconds, this delay in commands has been known to cause crashes after the lead sled is mishandled.

The Grav-Sled store into a 2.5 by 1.5 by 1 meter storage case and takes up 1 ton of cargo space. However, three units can be stack in that space. Cost is 60 KCr.

The Kit contains: Operator's manual, 2 air collars, front and rear panels with rings, 6 connecting rings and rods, 1 solar recharging station, 2 Energy Cells (inside rear of air collars), 4 floor plates contain the grav-nodes, cargo netting floor, 2 grab ropes with mounting brackets and remote control.

Design based off Military RB-15 rubber raft.

 

[Rigel Stardin]

Semi Rigid Grav-Sled

The semi-rigid grav-sled is used on frontier planets as a cheap replacement for heavy vehicles intended to move bulk or lose cargo. They can be seen on small farms haul grain or crops, in small mining operation moving ore, and at local starports moving small pallet or baggage.

SRGS is very limited in altitude and speed. Flying at just over 3 meters (10 ft.) off the ground and at a speed of 18 kilometers (10 miles) per hour. The solar power unit allows for continuous power as long as monthly maintenance is perform on the unit to remove dirt and grime from the solar panels.

The Grav-Sled is 6 Meters (19.5 ft.) long by 1.9 meters wide (6.2 ft.) and weights only 200 kilograms (440 lbs). It can carry 14 people or 2450 kilograms (2.7 tons) of cargo and has an interior floor space of 5.4 meters2.

The SRGS has panels which are made of a composite material slightly stronger than Kevlar. This allows the SRGS to carry bulk and lose cargos. There are 8 removable side panels and 2 front and rear panels. This allows for easy of access for crates, pallets, and bulk containers. The panels does offer some protection from projectile and edge weapon but not energy weapons.

The interior of the craft consists of 4 solid plates which contains the Grav-nodes. These run down the center of the craft. A solid front and rear panel and 8 panel curved at the bottom enclose the SRGS. Mounted on the rear is a solar power unit and two Energy Cells which power the craft. Control is a remote control which sits in the lap of the pilot.

Known problems are as follows:
1. While travelling downhill the sled will pick up speed resulting in some lost of control. 2. Strong winds make it difficult to handle. 3. While in slave mode, the micro computer is delayed by several seconds, this delay in commands has been known to cause crashes after the lead sled is mishandled. 5. Failure to clean solar panels on a monthly basis, will cause the energy cells to lose power, reducing operational time and eventually cause the energy cells to be replaced.

No piloting skill is required to operate this vehicle. The Grav-Sled however performs more like a small hovercraft and caution must be used when turning because of its large turning radius. Assembling the sled takes approximately 45 minutes.

The Grav-Sled store into a 2.5 by 2.5 by 1 meter storage case and takes up 1 ton of cargo space. However, three units can be stack in that space. Cost is 45 KCr.

 

[Rigel Stardin]

The Grav-Platform is used to move bulk cargo over short distances. They are seen at local starports moving small pallet and baggage or in factories moving finished produces.

Grav-Platforms are very limited in altitude and speed. Flying at just over 3 meters (10 ft.) off the ground and at a speed of 18 kilometers (10 miles) per hour. The solar power unit allows for continuous power as long as monthly maintenance is perform on the unit to remove dirt and grime from the solar panels.

The Grav-Sled is 6 Meters (19.5 ft.) long by 1.9 meters wide (6.2 ft.) and weights only 100 kilograms (220 lbs). It can carry 2450 kilograms (2.7 tons) of cargo and has an interior floor space of 5.4 meters2.

The craft consists of solid plates which contains the Grav-nodes. and a small lip around the outside of the floor to keep cargo from sliding off. These run down the center of the craft. Mounted on the rear is a solar power unit and two Energy Cells which power the craft. Control is a remote control which is carried on a sling around the pilot neck.

Common problems are as follows:
1. While travelling downhill the sled will pick up speed resulting in some lost of control. 2. Strong winds make it difficult to handle. 3. While in slave mode, the micro computer is delayed by several seconds, this delay in commands has been known to cause crashes after the lead sled is mishandled. 4. Failure to clean solar panels on a monthly basis, will cause the energy cells to lose power, reducing operational time and eventually cause the energy cells to be replaced.

No piloting skill is required to operate this vehicle. The Grav-Sled however performs more like a small hovercraft and caution must be used when turning because of its large turning radius. No assembly is require.

The Grav-Sled store into a 2.5 by 1.5 by 1 meter area and takes up 2 ton of cargo space. However, three units can be stack in that space. Cost is 30 KCr.

Depicted on page 30 of book 1, Travel Starter Kit PDF.

 

[Patron Zero]

Maybe I'm looking at this through primitive eyes but why not a deployable system of mechanical trim rotors, say ducted electric-driven propellers, to overcome localized issues of wind-shear and other unwanted inertia importers ?

 

[Rigel Stardin]

Before I go any further with this thread, I should explain my understanding of Grav-vehicles:

I look at Grav-vehicles as a combination of two vehicles: VTOL and Car. It has a vertical takeoff and landing capability and it handling is similar to a car while in flight. They travel along the surface in Nap of the earth flight (NOE), so they are subject to terrain features. You don't want to drive off a cliff or attempt to drive up a vertical mountain face. The faster you go also effects the ship's handling as well. Other than these limitations they make the perfect all terrain vehicles.

Now Grav-sleds or platforms come from the idea of hovercrafts. The grav-nodes are basic and very limited. They don't have avionics and computer programs which allow the operator to have the same control as a Grav-vehicles.

True Gravitronic Flight is the ability to make right angle movements. The problem with this of course is the effect atmosphere has on such a craft. SO for the most part, this type of Gravitronic is limited to space flight or UFO.

I was never a fan of a air raft having the capability of orbital flight, it was just too farfetched for me. G-carriers made more sense to me since they were enclosed and have the possibility of surviving reentry from orbit. I felt better about a shuttle which has gravitronic than an open vehicle attempting reentry.

Please continue to comment on this thread and realize I do take your comments under advisement. In the coming days, I plan on posting several Grav-vehicles. They include: Buggy, cycle, truck and an Urban Response Vehicles.

Once WE have iron out the details I plan on posting this to the File Library in PDF format for your download pleasure.

 

[Condottiere]

That would depend if the grav mechanism imposes any limitations on altitude.

Because, the two obvious analogues would be zeppelins and low orbit satellites.

 

[Rigel Stardin]

Think about a player's survivablity:

Grav Vehicles: Ocuppants have a chance of suriving a fall if gravitronics fail.

Air raft: altutide within limits of breathable atmosphere (small plane) with aerodynamic features.

Enclosed air raft: Upper limits of Jet aircraft with areodynamic features.

Grav shuttle: low orbit with reentry capabilities without Gravitronics

 

[Rigel Stardin]

The Grav-Buggy (aka Grav-car) are 2 ton vehicle intended for personal travel on unimproved surfaces and wilderness terrain. There small compact size and flight characteristics allows them to maneuver over terrain most wheel and tracked vehicles can't.

Grav-Buggies are very limited in altitude and speed. Flying at just over 45.7 meters (150 ft.) off the ground and at a speed of 192 kilometers (120 miles) per hour. The micro fusion power unit and onboard fuel tanks allows for continuous power up to 30 days. These power units are safe as long as monthly maintenance happens.

The Grav-Buggy is 3 Meters (9.8 ft.) long by 1.75 meters wide (5.75 ft.) and weights only 2725 kilograms (5995 lbs). It can carry 4 passengers with all the equipment they can carry on their person or 272 kilograms (600 lbs) with the rear seat removed.

The Grav-Buggy has panels which are made of a composite material slightly stronger than Kevlar. The panels offer some protection from projectile and edge weapon but not energy weapons.

The interior of the craft consists of 4 seats bolted to the floor, avionics, GPS and radio. A small wind screen is provided to deflect insects from the passenger compartment. Four door allow access to the seats. At the rear of the vehicle is the hydrogen fuel cells and power unit.

Common problems are as follows:
1. While travelling downhill the Grav-Buggy will pick up speed resulting in some lost of control. 2. Strong winds make it difficult to handle. 3. The vehicle use only refined fuel. 4. Monthly maintenance is required on the power plant or the vehicle begins to suffer performance and electrical issues.

A vehicle skill is required to operate this vehicle. The Grav-Buggy however performs more like a small car and caution must be used when stopping because of its there is no friction aiding the vehicle when coming to a stop.

The Grav-Buggy store into a 3 by 1.75 by 1 meter area and takes up 4 ton of cargo space. However, 2 units can be stack in that space, however it is a tight fit and is not advised. Cost is 120 KCr.