Patents Assigned to X-Bow Launch Systems Inc.
-
Patent number: 12442349Abstract: The present invention is a system and method for manufacturing a modular motor architecture, comprising a rocket motor comprising an extended case with a forward end and an aft end. The forward end features a radial retention interface with a multi-stack polar boss, a multi-stack forward polar boss enclosure, and radial tabs. The multi-stack polar boss is molded using boss molding material into three to twenty radial tabs and is wound into the composite case. The motor includes multiple multi-stack cartridges that house propellant and a central combustion chamber. These cartridges, including a forward cartridge, a primary cartridge, and an aft cartridge, are suspended inside the case and secured co-axially with the composite case by various joints, including polar and aft joints. The aft cartridge is located at the aft end, which features a closure and a nozzle.Type: GrantFiled: May 23, 2024Date of Patent: October 14, 2025Assignee: X-Bow Launch Systems Inc.Inventors: Mark Eagar, Bryan Beaudette, Andrew Sherman, Jeffrey Hansen, Andrew Max Vozoff
-
Patent number: 12420339Abstract: A method for making a unitary fuel grain for use in a rocket motor or gas generator comprising forming a fuel grain coating substantially free of gas-permeable voids, forming a succession of additional coats of oxidizer depleted grain material substantially free of gas-permeable voids. The fuel grain is then deposited into a print bed along a predetermined distance in a direction primarily parallel to a rocket motor central axis, the fuel grain coating forming a rocket motor fuel grain having a pre-ignition segment and a post-ignition segment, wherein the passivated fuel grain coating of fuel grain material is continuously self-adhered during fuel grain material deposition, and wherein the fuel grain material comprises oxidizer depleted fuel grain material; and wherein the passivated fuel grain coating of fuel grain material forms a substantially circular pattern upon deposition, said substantially circular pattern having an outer shell with an undulating pattern.Type: GrantFiled: May 20, 2021Date of Patent: September 23, 2025Assignee: X-Bow Launch Systems Inc.Inventors: Jason Hundley, Mark Kaufman, Michael McPherson, Jillian Marsh
-
Patent number: 12116957Abstract: A fuel grain for a rocket, the fuel grain having a plurality of layers of fuel grain material, each layer comprising a plurality of concentric circular structures of different diameter fused together to form a central opening therein, wherein the fuel grain material comprises an ignitable substance. The plurality of layers are stacked and joined securely to form a cylindrical fuel grain with the central opening of each one of the plurality of layers aligned to form a combustion unit extending axially through the fuel grain and bounded by a combustion surface, and wherein the fuel grain is configured to permit mixing of heterogenous materials to enhance thrust performance.Type: GrantFiled: May 20, 2021Date of Patent: October 15, 2024Assignee: X-Bow Launch Systems Inc.Inventors: Jason Hundley, Mark Kaufman, Michael McPherson, Jillian Marsh, Matthew Hinton, Dane Fradenburg
-
Patent number: 12104558Abstract: A method of making a fuel grain for use in a rocket motor, the method comprising blending a first energetic nanoscale metallic compound and a second compound suitable to form a feedstock material for use in an additive manufacturing apparatus, the additive manufacturing apparatus operatively connected to a computing system, that provides additive manufacturing printing instructions to the additive manufacturing apparatus, permitting construction of an autonomously designed and optimized rocket fuel grain section; wherein the stochastic deposition simulation-assisted fuel grain geometries further comprise a plurality of agglutinated layers of solidified fuel grain compound, each layer of the plurality of layers comprising a plurality of blended and radially displaced beads of different radii, said radial displacement optionally optimized via competitive simulation programs, and wherein the system continuously mixes constituent materials in an inline/static mixer, with viscosity controlled via particle size varType: GrantFiled: February 19, 2024Date of Patent: October 1, 2024Assignee: X-Bow Launch Systems Inc.Inventors: Chelsey Hargather, Mark Kaufman, Michael McPherson, Jillian Marsh, Matthew Hinton, Dane Fradenburg, Maureen Gannon, Jason Hundley, Michael Hargather
-
Patent number: 11913410Abstract: A method of making a fuel grain for use in a rocket motor, the method comprising blending a first energetic nanoscale metallic compound and a second compound suitable to form a feedstock material for use in an additive manufacturing apparatus, the additive manufacturing apparatus operatively connected to a computing system, that provides additive manufacturing printing instructions to the additive manufacturing apparatus, permitting construction of an autonomously designed and optimized rocket fuel grain section; wherein the stochastic deposition simulation-assisted fuel grain geometries further comprise a plurality of agglutinated layers of solidified fuel grain compound, each layer of the plurality of layers comprising a plurality of blended and radially displaced beads of different radii, said radial displacement optionally optimized via competitive simulation programs, and wherein the system continuously mixes constituent materials in an inline/static mixer, with viscosity controlled via particle size varType: GrantFiled: May 20, 2021Date of Patent: February 27, 2024Assignee: X-Bow Launch Systems Inc.Inventors: Chelsey Hargather, Mark Kaufman, Michael McPherson, Jillian Marsh, Matthew Hinton, Dane Fradenburg, Maureen Gannon, Jason Hundley, Michael Hargather
-
Patent number: 11852101Abstract: A method of making a multi-grained fuel grain for a rocket is disclosed, the method comprising the steps of using at least one nozzle to extrude a first propellant in an additive manufacturing process, the first propellant comprising a multi-grained fuel grain, the multi-grained fuel grain forming the at least one void, the at least one void facilitating variation in internal ballistics, forming sensors, said sensors permitting continuous monitoring and continuous modification such that a user controls the ballistics profile of a rocket motor, forming an electrically-controlled second propellant in contact with and operatively coupled to the sensors; and wherein the additive manufacturing process uses at least at least one nozzle to extrude raw materials.Type: GrantFiled: May 20, 2021Date of Patent: December 26, 2023Assignee: X-Bow Launch Systems Inc.Inventors: Jason Hundley, Mark Kaufman, Michael McPherson