Patent application number | Description | Published |
20120060468 | ADDITIVE MANUFACTURED PROPULSION SYSTEM - Propulsion systems and method for making a propulsion system include additively manufacturing a casing body into a single-piece structure having no bonded or bolted joints. The casing body defines a combustion chamber therein and is at least partially composed of a material useful as a solid rocket fuel and capable of being consumed during combustion. Other embodiments are also described. | 03-15-2012 |
20140116311 | AUTONOMOUS SAILBOAT FOR OCEANOGRAPHIC MONITORING - A fleet of autonomous sailing vessels that are equipped with monitoring and communication equipment for reporting environmental and other conditions. For optimal stability, the autonomous sailing vessels are multi-hulled vessels (catamarans) with self-righting capabilities. Each sailing vessel sends and receives information via one or more satellite links, using solar power to power the communications equipment as well as the monitoring equipment. Each sailing vessel includes an auto-sailtrim system to maintain a desired attack angle with the wind, and electric propulsion for use as required to maintain a desired heading. A modular design is used to support mission-specific payloads. | 05-01-2014 |
20140319283 | CANISTERIZED SATELLITE DISPENSER - A canisterized satellite dispenser includes one or more of: a pair of guide rails that eliminate the requirement of a rectangular profile for the satellite; a preload system that secures the canisterized satellite during transport and launch, and releases to deploy the canisterized satellite; a constant-force spring to provide a uniform and predictable dispensing force; an external rectangular profile in each dimension; and internal support surfaces that simplify the design of canisterized satellites, particularly those with deployable components. Each canisterized satellite includes a pair of opposing flanges on a lower portion of the satellite that ride in a channel formed by the dispenser's guide rails and restraining flanges; no other support constraints are imposed. During travel and launch, the satellite flanges are held against the restraining flanges, rigidly fixing the satellite to the dispenser until the satellite is deployed. | 10-30-2014 |
20150097085 | PRINTED SPACECRAFT SEPARATION SYSTEM - A spacecraft coupling system includes an integral component that can be deformed and placed into a stable state that locks one component into a mating component, and can easily be released from the deformed state, decoupling the two components. The integral component may include a central ring, a plurality of leaf elements arranged at the perimeter of the component, and a plurality of fins that extend outward from the ring to the plurality of leaf elements. A rotation of the ring element while the component is held stationary causes the fins to urge the leaf elements toward the receiving surface areas and to subsequently tension the leaf elements against surfaces on the mating component. To reduce cost and complexity, the integral component is a metal, such as titanium, that can be formed using an additive manufacturing process, commonly termed a 3-D printing process. | 04-09-2015 |