Patents by Inventor Liam R. Jackson

Liam R. Jackson 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).

  • Multiwall thermal protection system
    Patent number: 4344591
    Abstract: Multiwall insulating sandwich panels are provided for thermal protection of hypervelocity vehicles and other enclosures. In one embodiment of the invention the multiwall panels are formed of alternate layers of dimpled and flat metal (titanium alloy) foil sheets and beaded scarfed edge seals to provide enclosure thermal protection up to 1000.degree. F. An additional embodiment employs an intermediate fibrous insulation for the sandwich panel to provide thermal protection up to 2000.degree. F. and a third embodiment employs a silicide coated columbium waffle as the outer panel skin and fibrous layered intermediate protection for thermal environment protection up to 2500.degree. F.The use of multiple panels of the present invention on an enclosure facilitate repair and refurbishment of the thermal protection system due to the simple support provided by the tab and clip attachment for the panels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 1979
    Date of Patent: August 17, 1982
    Assignee: The United States of America asrepresented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration
    Inventor: Liam R. Jackson
  • High-strength blind rivet
    Patent number: 4281581
    Abstract: A novel blind rivet is provided wherein the blind head is upset by a pin driven from the exposed side into a core of soft metal contained by a closed tube end which is selectively thinned to result in controlled deformation due to the internal pressure created by compressing the soft core. The closed tube end upon expanding to a predetermined shape is transformed into the blind head.This rivet offers high strength, leak-free joining. Consistant controlled snug fitting assembly is offered. The rivet is suited to installation by a tool that prevents forming loads from being transferred to the members being joined. Moreover, the rivet has lower weight and cost while providing a smoother exposed surface than prior art blind rivets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 1979
    Date of Patent: August 4, 1981
    Inventors: Liam R. Jackson, Allan H. Taylor
  • Orbiter/launch system
    Patent number: 4265416
    Abstract: An orbit vehicle launch system including reusable turbojet propelled booster vehicles releasably connected to a reusable rocket powered orbit vehicle. The coupled orbiter-booster combination takes off horizontally and ascends to staging altitude and speed under booster power with both orbiter and booster wings providing lift. After staging, the booster vehicles fly back to earth for horizontal landing and the orbiter vehicle continues ascending to orbit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 1978
    Date of Patent: May 5, 1981
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration
    Inventors: Liam R. Jackson, John P. Weidner, William J. Small, James A. Martin