Patents by Inventor Ben Malcolm

Ben Malcolm 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).

  • Patent number: 11814194
    Abstract: A satellite dispenser is disclosed. In various embodiments, a satellite dispenser as disclosed herein includes a dispenser body defining an interior cavity configured to receive a payload; and a composite guide rail comprising a groove configured to receive at least a portion of a payload, the composite guide rail having an orientation that substantially aligns a longitudinal axis of the groove with an ejection axis of the dispenser.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2023
    Assignee: Rocket Lab USA, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter Beck, Peter Barlow, David Yoon, Ben Malcolm
  • Patent number: 11794928
    Abstract: A satellite dispenser and method of using same are disclosed. In various embodiments, a satellite dispenser as disclosed herein includes a dispenser body defining an interior cavity to accommodate a payload; and a plurality of externally adjustable restraints positioned within the interior cavity and configured to be extended further into the interior cavity by actuation of a manual interface external to the interior cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2023
    Assignee: Rocket Lab USA, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter Beck, Peter Barlow, David Yoon, Ben Malcolm
  • Publication number: 20210394934
    Abstract: A satellite dispenser is disclosed. In various embodiments, a satellite dispenser as disclosed herein includes a dispenser body defining an interior cavity configured to receive a payload; and a composite guide rail comprising a groove configured to receive at least a portion of a payload, the composite guide rail having an orientation that substantially aligns a longitudinal axis of the groove with an ejection axis of the dispenser.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 3, 2021
    Publication date: December 23, 2021
    Inventors: Peter Beck, Peter Barlow, David Yoon, Ben Malcolm
  • Patent number: 11148830
    Abstract: A satellite dispenser is disclosed. In various embodiments, a satellite dispenser as disclosed herein includes a dispenser body defining an interior cavity configured to receive a payload; and a composite guide rail comprising a groove configured to receive at least a portion of a payload, the composite guide rail having an orientation that substantially aligns a longitudinal axis of the groove with an ejection axis of the dispenser.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2021
    Assignee: Rocket Lab USA, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter Beck, Peter Barlow, David Yoon, Ben Malcolm
  • Publication number: 20210309393
    Abstract: A satellite dispenser door assembly is disclosed. In various embodiments, a satellite dispenser door assembly as disclosed herein includes a dispenser door having a hinge pin; and a one way clutch bearing within which the hinge pin is free to rotate in a first rotational direction associated with a transition from a closed position of the dispenser door to an open position of the dispenser door.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 18, 2021
    Publication date: October 7, 2021
    Inventors: Peter Beck, Peter Barlow, David Yoon, Ben Malcolm
  • Publication number: 20210300598
    Abstract: A satellite dispenser and method of using same are disclosed. In various embodiments, a satellite dispenser as disclosed herein includes a dispenser body defining an interior cavity to accommodate a payload; and a plurality of externally adjustable restraints positioned within the interior cavity and configured to be extended further into the interior cavity by actuation of a manual interface external to the interior cavity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 9, 2021
    Publication date: September 30, 2021
    Inventors: Peter Beck, Peter Barlow, David Yoon, Ben Malcolm
  • Patent number: 11066192
    Abstract: A satellite dispenser door assembly is disclosed. In various embodiments, a satellite dispenser door assembly as disclosed herein includes a dispenser door having a hinge pin; and a one way clutch bearing within which the hinge pin is free to rotate in a first rotational direction associated with a transition from a closed position of the dispenser door to an open position of the dispenser door.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2021
    Assignee: Rocket Lab USA, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter Beck, Peter Barlow, David Yoon, Ben Malcolm
  • Patent number: 11059609
    Abstract: A satellite dispenser and method of using same are disclosed. In various embodiments, a satellite dispenser as disclosed herein includes a dispenser body defining an interior cavity to accommodate a payload; and a plurality of externally adjustable restraints positioned within the interior cavity and configured to be extended further into the interior cavity by actuation of a manual interface external to the interior cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2021
    Assignee: Rocket Lab USA, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter Beck, Peter Barlow, David Yoon, Ben Malcolm
  • Publication number: 20210163155
    Abstract: A satellite dispenser door release mechanism is disclosed. In various embodiments, a satellite door dispenser as disclosed herein includes a wire or cable having a first end configured to be secured in a structure comprising or coupled to a dispenser body of a satellite dispenser and a second end configured to be secured in a structure comprising or coupled to a dispenser door of the satellite dispenser; and a pyrotechnic cutter configured to receive the wire or cable in a position to cut the wire or cable upon firing of the pyrotechnic cutter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 21, 2021
    Publication date: June 3, 2021
    Inventors: Peter Beck, Peter Barlow, David Yoon, Ben Malcolm
  • Patent number: 10981679
    Abstract: A satellite dispenser door release mechanism is disclosed. In various embodiments, a satellite door dispenser as disclosed herein includes a wire or cable having a first end configured to be secured in a structure comprising or coupled to a dispenser body of a satellite dispenser and a second end configured to be secured in a structure comprising or coupled to a dispenser door of the satellite dispenser; and a pyrotechnic cutter configured to receive the wire or cable in a position to cut the wire or cable upon firing of the pyrotechnic cutter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2021
    Assignee: Rocket Lab USA, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter Beck, Peter Barlow, David Yoon, Ben Malcolm
  • Patent number: 10940960
    Abstract: A satellite dispenser door release mechanism is disclosed. In various embodiments, a satellite door dispenser as disclosed herein includes a wire or cable having a first end configured to be secured in a structure comprising or coupled to a dispenser body of a satellite dispenser and a second end configured to be secured in a structure comprising or coupled to a dispenser door of the satellite dispenser; and a pyrotechnic cutter configured to receive the wire or cable in a position to cut the wire or cable upon firing of the pyrotechnic cutter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2021
    Assignee: Rocket Lab USA, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter Beck, Peter Barlow, David Yoon, Ben Malcolm
  • Publication number: 20190039756
    Abstract: A satellite dispenser is disclosed. In various embodiments, a satellite dispenser as disclosed herein includes a dispenser body defining an interior cavity configured to receive a payload; and a composite guide rail comprising a groove configured to receive at least a portion of a payload, the composite guide rail having an orientation that substantially aligns a longitudinal axis of the groove with an ejection axis of the dispenser.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2018
    Publication date: February 7, 2019
    Inventors: Peter Beck, Peter Barlow, David Yoon, Ben Malcolm
  • Publication number: 20190039754
    Abstract: A satellite dispenser door release mechanism is disclosed. In various embodiments, a satellite door dispenser as disclosed herein includes a wire or cable having a first end configured to be secured in a structure comprising or coupled to a dispenser body of a satellite dispenser and a second end configured to be secured in a structure comprising or coupled to a dispenser door of the satellite dispenser; and a pyrotechnic cutter configured to receive the wire or cable in a position to cut the wire or cable upon firing of the pyrotechnic cutter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2018
    Publication date: February 7, 2019
    Inventors: Peter Beck, Peter Barlow, David Yoon, Ben Malcolm
  • Publication number: 20190039757
    Abstract: A satellite dispenser and method of using same are disclosed. In various embodiments, a satellite dispenser as disclosed herein includes a dispenser body defining an interior cavity to accommodate a payload; and a plurality of externally adjustable restraints positioned within the interior cavity and configured to be extended further into the interior cavity by actuation of a manual interface external to the interior cavity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2018
    Publication date: February 7, 2019
    Inventors: Peter Beck, Peter Barlow, David Yoon, Ben Malcolm
  • Publication number: 20190039755
    Abstract: A satellite dispenser door assembly is disclosed. In various embodiments, a satellite dispenser door assembly as disclosed herein includes a dispenser door having a hinge pin; and a one way clutch bearing within which the hinge pin is free to rotate in a first rotational direction associated with a transition from a closed position of the dispenser door to an open position of the dispenser door.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2018
    Publication date: February 7, 2019
    Inventors: Peter Beck, Peter Barlow, David Yoon, Ben Malcolm