Patents by Inventor Shane Draney

Shane Draney 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).

  • STUD-PROPELLING MECHANISMS FOR SECURING A LAUNCH VEHICLE TO A LANDING PLATFORM, AND ASSOCIATED SYSTEMS AND METHODS
    Publication number: 20240092508
    Abstract: Stud-propelling mechanisms for securing a launch vehicle to a landing platform, and associated systems and methods, are disclosed. A representative system includes a fastening mechanism carried by a landing support element of a portion of a launch vehicle, the mechanism configured to fasten the landing support element to the landing surface when the launch vehicle portion is on the landing surface. The fastening mechanism can include a barrel structure for propelling a stud and an interference portion positioned to receive the stud upon activation of an energetic material that propels the stud. The stud can bind in the interference portion and in the landing surface to fasten the landing support element to the landing surface. A representative method includes automatically fastening a portion of a launch vehicle to a landing surface using a stud carried by the portion of the launch vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2023
    Publication date: March 21, 2024
    Inventors: Brian Riordan, Shane Draney, Rory Arp, Robert E. McMullen
  • Stud-propelling mechanisms for securing a launch vehicle to a landing platform, and associated systems and methods
    Patent number: 11884427
    Abstract: Stud-propelling mechanisms for securing a launch vehicle to a landing platform, and associated systems and methods, are disclosed. A representative system includes a fastening mechanism carried by a landing support element of a portion of a launch vehicle, the mechanism configured to fasten the landing support element to the landing surface when the launch vehicle portion is on the landing surface. The fastening mechanism can include a barrel structure for propelling a stud and an interference portion positioned to receive the stud upon activation of an energetic material that propels the stud. The stud can bind in the interference portion and in the landing surface to fasten the landing support element to the landing surface. A representative method includes automatically fastening a portion of a launch vehicle to a landing surface using a stud carried by the portion of the launch vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2024
    Assignee: Blue Origin LLC
    Inventors: Brian Riordan, Shane Draney, Rory Arp, Robert E. McMullen
  • STUD-PROPELLING MECHANISMS FOR SECURING A LAUNCH VEHICLE TO A LANDING PLATFORM, AND ASSOCIATED SYSTEMS AND METHODS
    Publication number: 20230012410
    Abstract: Stud-propelling mechanisms for securing a launch vehicle to a landing platform, and associated systems and methods, are disclosed. A representative system includes a fastening mechanism carried by a landing support element of a portion of a launch vehicle, the mechanism configured to fasten the landing support element to the landing surface when the launch vehicle portion is on the landing surface. The fastening mechanism can include a barrel structure for propelling a stud and an interference portion positioned to receive the stud upon activation of an energetic material that propels the stud. The stud can bind in the interference portion and in the landing surface to fasten the landing support element to the landing surface. A representative method includes automatically fastening a portion of a launch vehicle to a landing surface using a stud carried by the portion of the launch vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 7, 2021
    Publication date: January 12, 2023
    Inventors: Brian Riordan, Shane Draney, Rory Arp, Robert E. McMullen