Patents by Inventor Michael Dulligan

Michael Dulligan 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).

  • Electrically controlled extinguishable solid propellant motors
    Patent number: 7788900
    Abstract: Motor designs that enable the control of ignition, combustion burn rate, extinguishment, and reignition of solid propellants by precise application of electrical power are provided. Design of such motors, including choice of electrode materials, the form of electric power, and exemplary facial-extent electrode and axial-extent electrode configurations are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2010
    Inventors: Michael Dulligan, James Lake, Paul Adkison, Greg Spanjers, David White, Hieu Nguyen
  • Methods of controlling solid propellant ignition, combustion, and extinguishment
    Patent number: 7770380
    Abstract: An apparatus and method to control ignition, combustion burn rate, extinguishment, and reignition of solid propellant is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2010
    Inventors: Michael Dulligan, James Lake, Paul Adkison, Greg Spanjers, David White, Hieu Nguyen
  • Dual-mode chemical-electric thrusters for spacecraft
    Patent number: 7703273
    Abstract: Spacecraft thrusters capable of dual-mode operation, and a method of applying propulsion to a spacecraft using a dual-mode thruster are provided. In one embodiment, the thrusters of the current invention can operate as a chemical motor to provide high thrust and low propellant exhaust velocity to achieve fast maneuverability, or as an electric propulsion thruster to provide low thrust and high exhaust velocity to perform maneuvers with a minimal amount of propellant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2010
    Inventors: Gregory G. Spanjers, Kevin Mahaffy, Ronald A. Spores, David White, Michael Dulligan, Marcy Dulligan, legal representative, Hieu Nguyen
  • Dual-mode chemical-electric thrusters for spacecraft
    Publication number: 20090139206
    Abstract: Spacecraft thrusters capable of dual-mode operation, and a method of applying s propulsion to a spacecraft using a dual-mode thruster are provided. In one embodiment, the thrusters of the current invention can operate as a chemical motor to provide high thrust and low propellant exhaust velocity to achieve fast maneuverability, or as an electric propulsion thruster to provide low thrust and high exhaust velocity to perform maneuvers with a minimal amount of propellant.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 3, 2003
    Publication date: June 4, 2009
    Inventors: Gregory G. Spanjers, Kevin Mahaffy, Ronald A. Spores, David White, Michael Dulligan, Hieu Nguyen
  • Electrically controlled extinguishable solid propellant motors
    Publication number: 20080092521
    Abstract: Motor designs that enable the control of ignition, combustion burn rate, extinguishment, and reignition of solid propellants by precise application of electrical power are provided. Design of such motors, including choice of electrode materials, the form of electric power, and exemplary facial-extent electrode and axial-extent electrode configurations are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 14, 2003
    Publication date: April 24, 2008
    Inventors: Michael Dulligan, James Lake, Paul Adkison, Greg Spanjers, David White, Hieu Nguyen
  • Methods of controlling solid propellant ignition, combustion, and extinguishment
    Publication number: 20080087003
    Abstract: An apparatus and method to control ignition, combustion burn rate, extinguishment, and reignition of solid propellant is provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 13, 2003
    Publication date: April 17, 2008
    Inventors: Michael Dulligan, James Lake, Paul Adkison, Greg Spanjers, David White, Hieu Nguyen