Patents by Inventor John F. Steinmeyer

John F. Steinmeyer has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 6416018
    Abstract: A satellite dispenser adapted to be coupled to a launch vehicle. The dispenser includes a single-piece, integrally formed tubular shell for supporting a plurality of independent satellites thereon. The tubular shell is significantly lighter than multi-piece dispenser shells that require a connecting ring for coupling the post portion and base portion of the shell together. The single piece shell also significantly reduces the cost and simplifies the manufacture of the dispenser shell. The dispenser shell, in certain preferred embodiments, includes a tapered post portion which enables satellites being carried on the upper portion of the post portion to extend further into a fairing disposed over the satellites and dispenser shell during flight, thus making more efficient use of the envelope defined by the interior area of the fairing. A frusto-conical base portion integrally formed with the post portion enables the load supported by the dispenser shell to be evenly distributed throughout the base portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2002
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Michael B. DiVerde, Kenneth N. Telford, George J. Budris, Christopher M. Gil, John F. Steinmeyer
  • Publication number: 20020000495
    Abstract: A satellite dispenser adapted to be coupled to a launch vehicle. The dispenser includes a single-piece, integrally formed tubular shell for supporting a plurality of independent satellites thereon. The tubular shell is significantly lighter than multi-piece dispenser shells that require a connecting ring for coupling the post portion and base portion of the shell together. The single piece shell also significantly reduces the cost and simplifies the manufacture of the dispenser shell. The dispenser shell, in certain preferred embodiments, includes a tapered post portion which enables satellites being carried on the upper portion of the post portion to extend further into a fairing disposed over the satellites and dispenser shell during flight, thus making more efficient use of the envelope defined by the interior area of the fairing. A frusto-conical base portion integrally formed with the post portion enables the load supported by the dispenser shell to be evenly distributed throughout the base portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 22, 1999
    Publication date: January 3, 2002
    Inventors: MICHAEL B. DIVERDE, KENNETH N. TELFORD, GEORGE J. BUDRIS, CHRISTOPHER M. GIL, JOHN F. STEINMEYER
  • Patent number: 5884866
    Abstract: A dispenser that is connectable to a launch vehicle in order to deploy a plurality of satellites in orbit. The dispenser includes a post having a longitudinal axis, an assembly for coupling the post to a launch vehicle, and a plurality of fittings coupled to the post and having attachment means for deployably coupling a satellite to the post. The attachment means is aligned substantially orthogonal to the longitudinal axis of the post and defines attachment bays extending annularly about the post.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 23, 1999
    Assignee: McDonnell Douglas Corporation
    Inventors: John F. Steinmeyer, Samuel Curry, James R. Richter