Patents Assigned to Composite Technology Development, Inc.
  • Patent number: 10790778
    Abstract: Deployable solar panels are disclosed. In some embodiments, the deployable solar panel includes an extendable member comprising a composite material and having a length and a width; a plurality of hinges, each of the plurality of hinges extending across the width of the extendable member, the plurality of hinges comprising composite material and a shape memory polymer; and a plurality of solar panels coupled with the extendable member. In some embodiments, the deployable solar panel includes a lenticular shape extending along the length of the extendable member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2020
    Assignee: Composite Technology Development, Inc.
    Inventors: Alexi Rakow, Naseem Munshi, Dana Turse, Doug Richardson, Larry Adams
  • Patent number: 10544900
    Abstract: According to the invention, an extendable member is disclosed. The extendable member may include a structure having a first state and a second state. The structure may be deformable between the first state and the second state. In the first state the structure may include a compact form. In the second state the structure may include a hollow longeron having a slit along the entire length of the hollow longeron. One or both longitudinal edges along the slit of the hollow longeron may have lateral protrusions. The lateral protrusions of a longitudinal edge may act in such a way with the other edge, and possibly its protrusions, to at least partially inhibit relative motion of the edges.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2020
    Assignee: Composite Technology Development, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Taylor, Dana Turse, Larry G. Adams, Mark Reavis, Doug Richardson
  • Patent number: 10196817
    Abstract: A boom deployment mechanism is disclosed. The boom deployment mechanism may include a boom, a root plug, and a locking mechanism. In some embodiments, the boom may have a proximal end and a distal end. The boom may have a deployed configuration where the boom has a tubular shape with a slit that extends along the longitudinal length of the boom from the proximal end of the boom to the distal end of the boom. The boom may have a stowed configuration where the boom is flattened and rolled. In some embodiments, the locking mechanism may be configured to secure the proximal end of the boom to the root plug when the boom is in a deployed configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2019
    Assignee: Composite Technology Development, Inc.
    Inventors: Alexi Rakow, Paul Koenig, Doug Richardson, Dana Turse, Larry Adams
  • Patent number: 9404256
    Abstract: A system comprising a boom having a first end, a longitudinal length, and a slit that extends along the longitudinal length of the boom; a drum having an elliptic cross section and a longitudinal length; an attachment mechanism coupled with the first end of the boom and the drum such that the boom and the drum are substantially perpendicular relative to one another; an inner shaft having a longitudinal length, the inner shaft disposed within the drum, the longitudinal length of the inner shaft is aligned substantially parallel with the longitudinal length of the drum, the inner shaft at least partially rotatable relative to the drum, and the inner shaft is at least partially rotatable with the drum; and at least two cords coupled with the inner shaft and portions of the boom near the first end of the boom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2016
    Assignee: Composite Technology Development, Inc.
    Inventors: Larry Adams, Dana Turse, Doug Richardson
  • Patent number: 8925627
    Abstract: A method of producing an umbilical includes providing an elongate flat metal strip, providing an elongate service carrier, encasing the service carrier in an insulation that is strain tolerant and high temperature tolerant, forming the metal strip into a tube shape around the insulated service carrier, and thereafter welding the edges of the metal strip to form a tube surrounding the insulated service carrier. The method may further comprise coiling the umbilical onto a spool. Such an umbilical may be useful for carrying fluids, power, control signals, or the like into a well.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: Composite Technology Development, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael L. Tupper, Craig Hazelton, Robert Worrall, Kimiko Kano, Matthew W. Hooker, Naseem A. Munshi
  • Patent number: 8863369
    Abstract: According to the invention, an extendable member is disclosed. The extendable member may include a structure having a first state and a second state. The structure may be deformable between the first state and the second state. In the first state the structure may include a compact form. In the second state the structure may include a hollow longeron having a slit along the entire length of the hollow longeron. One or both longitudinal edges along the slit of the hollow longeron may have lateral protrusions. The lateral protrusions of a longitudinal edge may act in such a way with the other edge, and possibly its protrusions, to at least partially inhibit relative motion of the edges.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignee: Composite Technology Development, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Taylor, Dana Turse, Larry G. Adams, Mark Reavis, Doug Richardson
  • Publication number: 20140026390
    Abstract: Various shape memory polymer (SMP) devices are disclosed. Many of these SMP devices can be used as attachment and/or release mechanisms for any number of different applications. These SMP devices can use various characteristics of the SMP material to allow for various shape changes. These shape changes, in some embodiments, can be used to provide for release and/or attachment devices, for example, SMP bolts, SMP screws, SMP collars, SMP pillars, SMP panels, and/or SMP rivets, to name a few. An SMP device can include a first geometric state and a second geometric shape. The first geometric shape can restrict motion of two distinct objects relative to one another and the second geometrical shape can allow motion of two distinct objects relative to one another.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 4, 2013
    Publication date: January 30, 2014
    Applicant: Composite Technology Development, Inc.
    Inventors: Mike Tupper, Robert Taylor, Dana Turse, Doug Richardson, Larry G. Adams, Philip N. Keller
  • Patent number: 8522881
    Abstract: Systems and methods for the prevention or dissolution of hydrates in an undersea well. One example system includes a submersible isolation bell for capturing effluent being exhausted from the well, and an umbilical. A power cable supplies electric power to the submersible isolation bell, for example for heating of the interior of the submersible isolation bell to prevent or discourage the formation of methane hydrates and the precipitation of other byproducts. Diluents may be supplied to the submersible isolation bell to further discourage the formation of hydrates and precipitation of other byproducts. The diluents may be heated locally at the submersible isolation bell, using electric power supplied by the power cable. A conformable seal may substantially seal the submersible isolation bell to a riser or other structure at the wellhead.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2013
    Assignee: Composite Technology Development, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Worrall, Craig Hazelton, Michael Tupper
  • Publication number: 20130207880
    Abstract: A reflector is provided according to various embodiments. The reflector may include a backing structure having various configurations. The backing structure, for example, can comprise a plurality of trusses, flexible couplings, stiffeners, and crossbeams in any number of arrangements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 15, 2012
    Publication date: August 15, 2013
    Applicant: Composite Technology Development, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Taylor, Dana Turse, Philip N. Keller, Larry Adams
  • Publication number: 20130186011
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention are directed toward rollable and collapsible structures. These structures, for example, can include a plurality of tubular longerons with a slit or gap that extends along the longitudinal length of the longerons. Such longerons can be combined in an arrangement that creates a structure. The structure can be collapsed and the longerons rolled either singularly or as a group into a stowed configuration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 18, 2012
    Publication date: July 25, 2013
    Applicant: Composite Technology Development, Inc.
    Inventors: Philip N. Keller, Robert Taylor, Adam Gray, Doug Richardson, Mark Reavis
  • Publication number: 20130153144
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention are directed toward extractable tooling devices for composite structure manufacturing. An extractable tool, according to some embodiments of the invention, can include a rigid core, one or more foam blocks, an elastic membrane, and a nozzle. The foam blocks can be shaped to provide a mold of the composite structure being manufactured. This mold may require the extractable tool to be trapped by the composite structure after manufacture. Use of the foams can allow the extractable tool to shrink in at least one dimension in order to extract the tool from the trapped configuration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2011
    Publication date: June 20, 2013
    Applicant: Composite Technology Development, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Tupper, Rory Barrett, Larry G. Adams, Robert Taylor, Dana Turse
  • Publication number: 20130118754
    Abstract: Systems and methods for the prevention or dissolution of hydrates in an undersea well. One example system includes a submersible isolation bell for capturing effluent being exhausted from the well, and an umbilical. A power cable supplies electric power to the submersible isolation bell, for example for heating of the interior of the submersible isolation bell to prevent or discourage the formation of methane hydrates and the precipitation of other byproducts. Diluents may be supplied to the submersible isolation bell to further discourage the formation of hydrates and precipitation of other byproducts. The diluents may be heated locally at the submersible isolation bell, using electric power supplied by the power cable. A conformable seal may substantially seal the submersible isolation bell to a riser or other structure at the wellhead.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 2, 2012
    Publication date: May 16, 2013
    Applicant: Composite Technology Development, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Worrall, Craig Hazelton, Michael Tupper
  • Publication number: 20130075534
    Abstract: In some embodiments of the invention, methods and devices are provided that perturb a trajectory of a space-orbital object. For example, a spacecraft may be sent to a location near a space-orbital object orbiting the Earth. A net may be released from the spacecraft in a manner (e.g., with a given alignment, direction and velocity) that results in the net contacting and/or entangling with the object. This contact or entanglement may alter a velocity of the space-orbital object and thereby may alter its orbital path. In some instances, the net's velocity is sufficient to experience increase drag by the Earth's atmosphere, relative to the drag it would have otherwise experienced if the net did not contact the object.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 17, 2012
    Publication date: March 28, 2013
    Applicant: Composite Technology Development, Inc.
    Inventor: Composite Technology Development, Inc.
  • Publication number: 20130061541
    Abstract: According to the invention, an extendable member is disclosed. The extendable member may include a structure having a first state and a second state. The structure may be deformable between the first state and the second state. In the first state the structure may include a compact form. In the second state the structure may include a hollow longeron having a slit along the entire length of the hollow longeron. One or both longitudinal edges along the slit of the hollow longeron may have lateral protrusions. The lateral protrusions of a longitudinal edge may act in such a way with the other edge, and possibly its protrusions, to at least partially inhibit relative motion of the edges.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2011
    Publication date: March 14, 2013
    Applicant: Composite Technology Development, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Taylor, Dana Turse, Larry G. Adams, Mark Reavis, Doug Richardson
  • Publication number: 20130062061
    Abstract: According to the invention, a method for isolating a zone inside a well is provided. The method may include providing a catch screen at a first location in the well and providing a fluid flow to the catch screen. The fluid flow may include a first fluid and a shape memory material. The first fluid may at least partially pass through the catch screen. The shape memory material may accumulate at the catch screen. The method may also include triggering the shape memory material such that it changes from a first shape to a second shape, thereby at least partially isolating one portion of the well from another portion of the well.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 2, 2012
    Publication date: March 14, 2013
    Applicant: Composite Technology Development, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Taylor, Robert Worrall, Naseem Munshi, Michael Tupper, Paul Fabian, Kaushik Mallick, Jacob Barker
  • Patent number: 8393581
    Abstract: Structures and methods are disclosed regarding deployable structures with expandable longerons adjustably coupled with supporting structures such that an angle between the supporting structures can be adjusted. Such structures can include and/or be used for solar arrays, bridges, support structures, and more. These structures can be easily transported to a new location and deployed from the stowed configuration into a larger functional structure. In some embodiments these structures can use one or more longerons that can have two resting states: deployed and rolled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2013
    Assignee: Composite Technology Development, Inc.
    Inventors: Philip N. Keller, Robert Taylor, Doug Richardson, Adam G. Gray
  • Patent number: 8387921
    Abstract: A deployable structure that may include a slit-tube longeron and a flat panel coupled with the slit-tube longeron. The slit-tube longeron may include a tubular member having a slit that runs along the longitudinal length of the slit-tube longeron. The deployable structure may be configured to couple with a satellite. And the deployable structure may be configured to transform between a stowed state and a deployed state where the tubular member is substantially straight when the deployable structure is in the deployed state, and the tubular member is wrapped around the satellite when the deployable structure is in the stowed state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2013
    Assignee: Composite Technology Development, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Taylor, Philip N. Keller, Kaushik Mallick, Dana Turse, Michael J. Hulse
  • Publication number: 20130042461
    Abstract: Various shape memory polymer (SMP) devices are disclosed. Many of these SMP devices can be used as attachment and/or release mechanisms for any number of different applications. These SMP devices can use various characteristics of the SMP material to allow for various shape changes. These shape changes, in some embodiments, can be used to provide for release and/or attachment devices, for example, SMP bolts, SMP screws, SMP collars, SMP pillars, SMP panels, and/or SMP rivets, to name a few. An SMP device can include a first geometric state and a second geometric shape. The first geometric shape can restrict motion of two distinct objects relative to one another and the second geometrical shape can allow motion of two distinct objects relative to one another.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 26, 2012
    Publication date: February 21, 2013
    Applicant: Composite Technology Development, Inc.
    Inventors: Mike Tupper, Robert Taylor, Dana Turse, Doug Richardson, Larry G. Adams, Philip N. Keller
  • Patent number: 8376282
    Abstract: Collapsible solar array structures are disclosed that include a collapsible structure and detachable solar array. The solar array can be detached stowed separately from the collapsible structure. The collapsible structure can include a plurality of longerons and/or support structures. Longerons can have a slit along a longitudinal length of the longeron.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2013
    Assignee: Composite Technology Development, Inc.
    Inventors: Philip N. Keller, Robert Taylor, Doug Richardson, Adam G. Gray
  • Publication number: 20130040098
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention are directed toward benzoxazine composite structures and the application thereof. In some embodiments, a radome can be constructed from a benzoxazine composite structure. A benzoxazine structure can include a low density core with one or two benzoxazine composite face skins. The benzoxazine face skins can include reinforcement materials to provide structural strength. Such radomes and/or benzoxazine structures can be used in various maritime, aircraft, rocket, missile, and/or automobile applications. In particular, radomes can be used to house communication equipment such as antennas and the like.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 13, 2012
    Publication date: February 14, 2013
    Applicant: Composite Technology Development, Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew W. Hooker, Dana Turse, Naseem A. Munshi, Jennifer Walsh, Michael Tomlinson