Patents by Inventor Al MacKnight
Al MacKnight 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).
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Patent number: 7434355Abstract: An inflatable docking station for a Mars roving vehicle (Mars rover) provides a recharging station as well as a storage facility for the Mars rover during adverse environmental conditions. The docking station/garage allows for extended operational life for the Mars Rover, allows for the Mars rover to operate at the polar regions of Mars, where extreme cold conditions restrict rover operation, and provides for a warmer habitat for the Mars rover. Conventional planetary roving vehicles only be deployed from the warmer equator region of the planet surface. However, these roving vehicles may never explore the polar regions because the roving vehicle may not have enough stored power. The docking station/garage provides a remote outpost for, among other things, storing and recharging the Mars Rover to allow it to reach more remote areas.Type: GrantFiled: December 10, 2003Date of Patent: October 14, 2008Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.Inventors: Vipul P. Patel, Al MacKnight
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Patent number: 7252703Abstract: The direct contact liquid air contaminant control system and method to revitalize air by removal of carbon dioxide and other trace gas contaminants use a direct contact air, liquid scrubber element and stripper element. The scrubber element has two rotor elements rotatably mounted in a housing first for centrifugal separation of an air flow and liquid absorbent mixture which liquid absorbent has absorbed carbon dioxide and trace gas contaminants. Then second for centrifugal separation of an air flow and acid water wash mixture which acid water wash has liquid absorbent and other contaminants. The processed air is then passed through a charcoal bed filter for further removal of contaminants. A rotary contact processor may also be used to reprocess contaminated liquid absorbent for reuse.Type: GrantFiled: June 30, 2003Date of Patent: August 7, 2007Assignee: Honeywell International, Inc.Inventor: Al MacKnight
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Publication number: 20060163434Abstract: A self-propelled spacecraft may provide an artificial gravity environment for interplanetary and/or lunar travel. The spacecraft may be useful not only for interplanetary and/or lunar mission travel, but also for carrying supplies to space habitats, such as lunar habitats, and also for general exploration of space, including study of distant planets and stars. The spacecraft may travel on excursions of extended duration and of great distances, such as, for example to Mars or beyond. The spacecraft may provide an environment that ensures crew comfort for such extended interplanetary and/or lunar travel.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 27, 2005Publication date: July 27, 2006Applicant: Honeywell International Inc., Law Dept.Inventors: Vipul Patel, Al MacKnight, Alex Lubman
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Publication number: 20050126081Abstract: An inflatable docking station for a Mars roving vehicle (Mars rover) provides a recharging station as well as a storage facility for the Mars rover during adverse environmental conditions. The docking station/garage allows for extended operational life for the Mars Rover, allows for the Mars rover to operate at the polar regions of Mars, where extreme cold conditions restrict rover operation, and provides for a warmer habitat for the Mars rover. Conventional planetary roving vehicles only be deployed from the warmer equator region of the planet surface. However, these roving vehicles may never explore the polar regions because the roving vehicle may not have enough stored power. The docking station/garage provides a remote outpost for, among other things, storing and recharging the Mars Rover to allow it to reach more remote areas.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 10, 2003Publication date: June 16, 2005Applicant: Honeywell International Inc.Inventors: Vipul Patel, Al MacKnight
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Publication number: 20040265199Abstract: The direct contact liquid air contaminant control system and method to revitalize air by removal of carbon dioxide and other trace gas contaminants use a direct contact air, liquid scrubber element and stripper element. The scrubber element has two rotor elements rotatably mounted in a housing first for centrifugal separation of an air flow and liquid absorbent mixture which liquid absorbent has absorbed carbon dioxide and trace gas contaminants. Then second for centrifugal separation of an air flow and acid water wash mixture which acid water wash has liquid absorbent and other contaminants. The processed air is then passed through a charcoal bed filter for further removal of contaminants. A rotary contact processor may also be used to reprocess contaminated liquid absorbent for reuse.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 30, 2003Publication date: December 30, 2004Applicant: Honeywell International Inc.Inventor: Al MacKnight
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Patent number: 6756548Abstract: An apparatus and method of measuring the mass of a test specimen located in a microgravity environment. The test specimen is attached to the free end of a cantilevered spring for joint vibration. The natural frequency of vibration of the spring and specimen are measured. The spring constant is calculated and compared with known masses having the same frequency and spring constant. When a match is found, the mass of the test specimen is known.Type: GrantFiled: December 6, 2001Date of Patent: June 29, 2004Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.Inventors: Jun Isobe, Al MacKnight, Vipul P. Patel
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Publication number: 20030138594Abstract: An insulating composite material comprising expanded microcells and fiber media and methods for producing same. Microcells incorporated into the fiber media engage the surface projections and the intra-fiber and inter-fiber voids, resulting in increased microcell retention, thereby improving the characteristics of the composite material.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 18, 2002Publication date: July 24, 2003Applicant: Honeywell International, Inc., Law Dept.Inventors: Alex Lobovsky, James A. Matrunich, Al MacKnight
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Publication number: 20030106374Abstract: An apparatus and method of measuring the mass of a test specimen located in a microgravity environment. The test specimen is attached to the free end of a cantilevered spring for joint vibration. The natural frequency of vibration of the spring and specimen are measured. The spring constant is calculated and compared with known masses having the same frequency and spring constant. When a match is found, the mass of the test specimen is known.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 6, 2001Publication date: June 12, 2003Applicant: Honeywell International, Inc.Inventors: Jun Isobe, Al MacKnight, Vipul P. Patel
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Patent number: 6499697Abstract: The deployable flexible airlock and method for space vehicles, modules, and other structures has a flexible conduit attached between a vehicle frame member and a distal frame member. The airlock may be integrated into the hatch of a space vehicle. In the stowed configuration the airlock occupies a small volume to minimize the usable space impact to the space vehicle. The airlock is deployed by introducing vehicle cabin air into a number of support columns or tubes, which thereby inflate and cause the distal frame member to be pushed away from the vehicle frame member. When deployed, a chamber is formed for a user to transition through the airlock. The airlock is pressurized using cabin air and depressurized by evacuating the cabin air. Retraction of the airlock for stowage is accomplished by use of cables attached to the distal frame member, and controlled by actuator assemblies attached to the vehicle frame member.Type: GrantFiled: June 18, 2001Date of Patent: December 31, 2002Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.Inventors: Vipul P. Patel, Al MacKnight
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Publication number: 20020190161Abstract: The deployable flexible airlock and method for space vehicles, modules, and other structures has a flexible conduit attached between a vehicle frame member and a distal frame member. The airlock may be integrated into the hatch of a space vehicle. In the stowed configuration the airlock occupies a small volume to minimize the usable space impact to the space vehicle. The airlock is deployed by introducing vehicle cabin air into a number of support columns or tubes, which thereby inflate and cause the distal frame member to be pushed away from the vehicle frame member. When deployed, a chamber is formed for a user to transition through the airlock. The airlock is pressurized using cabin air and depressurized by evacuating the cabin air. Retraction of the airlock for stowage is accomplished by use of cables attached to the distal frame member, and controlled by actuator assemblies attached to the vehicle frame member.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 18, 2001Publication date: December 19, 2002Applicant: Honeywell International, Law Dept. AB2Inventors: Vipul P. Patel, Al MacKnight