Patents Assigned to Blue Origin, LLC
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Patent number: 10518911Abstract: Vehicles with control surfaces and associated systems and methods are disclosed. In a particular embodiment, a rocket can include a plurality of bidirectional control surfaces positioned toward an aft portion of the rocket. In this embodiment, the bidirectional control surfaces can be operable to control the orientation and/or flight path of the rocket during both ascent, in a nose-first orientation, and descent, in a tail-first orientation for, e.g., a tail-down landing. Launch vehicles with fixed and deployable deceleration surfaces and associated systems and methods are also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: December 27, 2016Date of Patent: December 31, 2019Assignee: Blue Origin, LLCInventors: Mark Featherstone, Frederick W. Boelitz, Roger E. Ramsey, David M. Biggs
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Patent number: 10266282Abstract: Launch vehicles with ring-shaped external elements, and associated systems and methods. An aerospace system in accordance with a particular embodiment includes a launch vehicle having a first end and a second end generally opposite the first end, with the launch vehicle being elongated along a vehicle axis extending between the first and second ends, and having an external, outwardly facing surface. The system can further include an annular element carried by the launch vehicle, the annular element having an external, inwardly-facing surface radially spaced apart from, and extending at least partially circumferentially around, the vehicle axis. The annular element can have a first edge surface facing a first direction along the vehicle axis, and a second edge surface facing a second direction along the vehicle axis, the second direction being opposite the first direction.Type: GrantFiled: November 3, 2016Date of Patent: April 23, 2019Assignee: Blue Origin, LLCInventors: Mark Featherstone, John Michael Sanders, Roger E. Ramsey, Eric David Wetzel
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Patent number: 9580191Abstract: Vehicles with control surfaces and associated systems and methods are disclosed. In a particular embodiment, a rocket can include a plurality of bidirectional control surfaces positioned toward an aft portion of the rocket. In this embodiment, the bidirectional control surfaces can be operable to control the orientation and/or flight path of the rocket during both ascent, in a nose-first orientation, and descent, in a tail-first orientation for, e.g., a tail-down landing. Launch vehicles with fixed and deployable deceleration surfaces and associated systems and methods are also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: November 21, 2014Date of Patent: February 28, 2017Assignee: Blue Origin, LLCInventors: Mark Featherstone, Frederick W. Boelitz, Roger E. Ramsey, David M. Biggs
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Patent number: 9487308Abstract: Launch vehicles with ring-shaped external elements, and associated systems and methods. A representative aerospace system includes a launch vehicle having a first end and a second end generally opposite the first end, with the launch vehicle being elongated along a vehicle axis extending between the first and second ends, and having an external, outwardly facing surface. The system can further include an annular element carried by the launch vehicle, the annular element having an external, inwardly-facing surface radially spaced apart from, and extending at least partially circumferentially around, the vehicle axis. The annular element can have a first edge surface facing a first direction along the vehicle axis, and a second edge surface facing a second direction along the vehicle axis, the second direction being opposite the first direction. A propulsion system can be carried by the launch vehicle, and can have at least one nozzle positioned toward the first end of the vehicle to launch the vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: March 15, 2013Date of Patent: November 8, 2016Assignee: Blue Origin, LLCInventors: Mark Featherstone, John Michael Sanders, Roger E. Ramsey, Eric David Wetzel
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Patent number: 9469418Abstract: Composite structures for space vehicles and other aerospace vehicles are disclosed herein. In one embodiment of the disclosure, a space vehicle pressure vessel includes composite panels or sidewalls with septumized core. In another embodiment, a splice joint for joining septumized composite panels in space vehicle structures is disclosed herein.Type: GrantFiled: June 8, 2015Date of Patent: October 18, 2016Assignee: Blue Origin, LLCInventors: Emmanuel Grillos, Dennis Arthur Trimble, Douglas Lewis Grose
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Patent number: 9217389Abstract: Rocket turbopump valves and associated system and methods. A valve in accordance with at least one embodiment includes a housing having a valve aperture, and first and second valve elements positioned in the housing and movable relative to the valve aperture between a closed position and an open position. Each valve element can be pivotably connected to the housing toward a first end and supported by the other valve element toward a second end. A drive mechanism is coupled to the first and second valve elements to pivot the valve elements toward and away from their open and closed positions.Type: GrantFiled: November 10, 2011Date of Patent: December 22, 2015Assignee: Blue Origin, LLCInventors: Gerald A. Lee, Michael C. Krene
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Patent number: 9079674Abstract: Composite structures for space vehicles and other aerospace vehicles are disclosed herein. In one embodiment of the disclosure, a space vehicle pressure vessel includes composite panels or sidewalls with septumized core. In another embodiment, a splice joint for joining septumized composite panels in space vehicle structures is disclosed herein.Type: GrantFiled: February 16, 2011Date of Patent: July 14, 2015Assignee: Blue Origin, LLCInventors: Emmanuel Grillos, Dennis Arthur Trimble, Douglas Lewis Grose
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Patent number: 8991767Abstract: Vehicles with bidirectional control surfaces and associated systems and methods are disclosed. In a particular embodiment, a rocket can include a plurality of bidirectional control surfaces positioned toward an aft portion of the rocket. In this embodiment, the bidirectional control surfaces can be operable to control the orientation and/or flight path of the rocket during both ascent, in a nose-first orientation, and descent, in a tail-first orientation for, e.g., a tail-down landing.Type: GrantFiled: October 7, 2014Date of Patent: March 31, 2015Assignee: Blue Origin, LLCInventor: Mark Featherstone
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Patent number: 8894016Abstract: Vehicles with bidirectional control surfaces and associated systems and methods are disclosed. In a particular embodiment, a rocket can include a plurality of bidirectional control surfaces positioned toward an aft portion of the rocket. In this embodiment, the bidirectional control surfaces can be operable to control the orientation and/or flight path of the rocket during both ascent, in a nose-first orientation, and descent, in a tail-first orientation for, e.g., a tail-down landing.Type: GrantFiled: December 11, 2013Date of Patent: November 25, 2014Assignee: Blue Origin, LLCInventor: Mark Featherstone
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Patent number: 8876059Abstract: Vehicles with bidirectional control surfaces and associated systems and methods are disclosed. In a particular embodiment, a rocket can include a plurality of bidirectional control surfaces positioned toward an aft portion of the rocket. In this embodiment, the bidirectional control surfaces can be operable to control the orientation and/or flight path of the rocket during both ascent, in a nose-first orientation, and descent, in a tail-first orientation for, e.g., a tail-down landing.Type: GrantFiled: August 15, 2013Date of Patent: November 4, 2014Assignee: Blue Origin, LLCInventor: Mark Featherstone
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Patent number: 8878111Abstract: Vehicles with bidirectional control surfaces and associated systems and methods are disclosed. In a particular embodiment, a rocket can include a plurality of bidirectional control surfaces positioned toward an aft portion of the rocket. In this embodiment, the bidirectional control surfaces can be operable to control the orientation and/or flight path of the rocket during both ascent, in a nose-first orientation, and descent, in a tail-first orientation for, e.g., a tail-down landing.Type: GrantFiled: February 24, 2010Date of Patent: November 4, 2014Assignee: Blue Origin, LLCInventor: Mark Featherstone
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Publication number: 20140312163Abstract: Vehicles with bidirectional control surfaces and associated systems and methods are disclosed. In a particular embodiment, a rocket can include a plurality of bidirectional control surfaces positioned toward an aft portion of the rocket. In this embodiment, the bidirectional control surfaces can be operable to control the orientation and/or flight path of the rocket during both ascent, in a nose-first orientation, and descent, in a tail-first orientation for, e.g., a tail-down landing.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 11, 2013Publication date: October 23, 2014Applicant: BLUE ORIGIN, LLCInventor: Mark Featherstone
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Publication number: 20140263841Abstract: Launch vehicles with ring-shaped external elements, and associated systems and methods are disclosed. An aerospace system in accordance with a particular embodiment includes a launch vehicle having a first end and a second end generally opposite the first end, with the launch vehicle being elongated along a vehicle axis extending between the first and second ends, and having an external, outwardly facing surface. The system can further include an annular element carried by the launch vehicle, the annular element having an external, inwardly-facing surface radially spaced apart from, and extending at least partially circumferentially around, the vehicle axis. The annular element can have a first edge surface facing a first direction along the vehicle axis, and a second edge surface facing a second direction along the vehicle axis, the second direction being opposite the first direction.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 15, 2013Publication date: September 18, 2014Applicant: Blue Origin, LLCInventors: Mark Featherstone, John Michael Sanders, Roger E. Ramsey, Eric David Wetzel
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Patent number: 8729442Abstract: Technology for predicting and correcting a trajectory is described. The technology can create a model to predict a position of the reusable launch vehicle at a time in the future; observe a wind condition during ascent of the reusable launch vehicle; store the observed wind condition in a wind map; predict during ascent a position and a terminal lateral velocity of the reusable launch vehicle at a terminal altitude; and correct a flight trajectory of the reusable launch vehicle based on the wind map.Type: GrantFiled: June 15, 2010Date of Patent: May 20, 2014Assignee: Blue Origin, LLCInventors: Frederick W. Boelitz, Mark O. Hilstad
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Patent number: 8720067Abstract: A contoured roller set and associated systems and methods are disclosed herein. A male roller having a convex surface and a pair of female rollers each having a concave surface can receive a generally thin sheet of material and impart a doubly-curved shape to the sheet. The convex and concave surfaces of the male and female rollers can have a radius of curvature chosen to match a radius of curvature of the sheet of material. The rollers are positioned and shaped to urge the sheet between the female rollers to cause the sheet to curve toward the male roller.Type: GrantFiled: November 8, 2010Date of Patent: May 13, 2014Assignee: Blue Origin, LLCInventor: Christopher M. Gil
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Patent number: 8678321Abstract: Launch vehicle systems and methods for landing and recovering a booster stage and/or other portions thereof on a platform at sea or on another body of water are disclosed. In one embodiment, a reusable space launch vehicle is launched from a coastal launch site in a trajectory over water. After booster engine cutoff and upper stage separation, the booster stage reenters the earth's atmosphere in a tail-first orientation. The booster engines are then restarted and the booster stage performs a vertical powered landing on the deck of a pre-positioned sea-going platform. In one embodiment, bidirectional aerodynamic control surfaces control the trajectory of the booster stage as it glides through the earth's atmosphere toward the sea-going platform. The sea-going platform can broadcast its real-time position to the booster stage so that the booster stage can compensate for errors in the position of the sea-going platform due to current drift and/or other factors.Type: GrantFiled: June 14, 2010Date of Patent: March 25, 2014Assignee: Blue Origin, LLCInventors: Jeffrey P. Bezos, Gary Lai, Sean R. Findlay
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Publication number: 20140042267Abstract: Vehicles with bidirectional control surfaces and associated systems and methods are disclosed. In a particular embodiment, a rocket can include a plurality of bidirectional control surfaces positioned toward an aft portion of the rocket. In this embodiment, the bidirectional control surfaces can be operable to control the orientation and/or flight path of the rocket during both ascent, in a nose-first orientation, and descent, in a tail-first orientation for, e.g., a tail-down landing.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 15, 2013Publication date: February 13, 2014Applicant: BLUE ORIGIN, LLCInventor: Mark Featherstone
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Patent number: 8534530Abstract: Inflatable rings for supporting friction welding workpieces, and associated systems and methods. A support assembly for joining multiple workpieces in a representative embodiment includes a carriage and a generally ring-shaped support member that in turn includes a body and at least one inflatable member carried by the body and positioned to expand from a first configuration to a second configuration.Type: GrantFiled: April 25, 2012Date of Patent: September 17, 2013Assignee: Blue Origin, LLCInventor: David M. Biggs
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Patent number: 8424808Abstract: Technology is described for enabling a reusable launch vehicle to compensate for wind prior to engaging propulsion during approach to landing. The technology can cause the reusable launch vehicle to begin un-powered descent; determine a first rotation angle of the reusable launch vehicle about a specified vertical descent path, the first rotation angle corresponding to a first attitude of the reusable launch vehicle selected to stabilize the reusable launch vehicle on the vertical descent path based on a wind speed and angle; and prior to engaging a propulsion device, command a second rotation angle for the reusable launch vehicle, the second rotation angle corresponding to a second attitude that, when the propulsion device is engaged, will cause the reusable launch vehicle to remain at least approximately at the vertical descent path.Type: GrantFiled: June 15, 2010Date of Patent: April 23, 2013Assignee: Blue Origin, LLCInventor: Frederick W. Boelitz
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Patent number: 8408443Abstract: Modular friction welding heads and associated systems and methods are disclosed herein. A friction welding system in accordance with a particular embodiment includes a carrier fixture positioned to carry a workpiece, a head support positioned proximate to the carrier fixture, and a modular friction welding head releasably carried by the head support. At least one of the carrier fixture and the head support can have a guide structure with a constrained motion path positioned to guide relative motion between the modular friction welding head and the carrier fixture. A controller can be operatively coupled to the modular friction welding head and programmed with instructions to control the operation of the friction welding head.Type: GrantFiled: February 18, 2010Date of Patent: April 2, 2013Assignee: Blue Origin, LLCInventors: Ray Miryekta, Christopher M. Gil