Patents by Inventor Benjamin G. Workinger

Benjamin G. Workinger 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).

  • OMNIVOROUS SOLAR THERMAL THRUSTER, COOLING SYSTEMS, AND THERMAL ENERGY TRANSFER IN ROCKETS
    Publication number: 20230130545
    Abstract: Omnivorous solar thermal thrusters and adjustable cooling structures are disclosed. In one aspect, a solar thermal rocket engine includes a solar thermal thruster configured to receive solar energy and one or more propellants, and heat the one or more propellants using the solar energy to generate thrust. The solar thermal thruster is further configured to use a plurality of different propellant types, either singly or in combination simultaneously. The solar thermal thruster is further configured to use the one or more propellants in both liquid and gaseous states. Related structures can include valves and variable-geometry cooling channels in thermal contact with a thruster wall.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 18, 2022
    Publication date: April 27, 2023
    Inventors: Joel C. Sercel, Philip J. Wahl, Conrad T. Jensen, James G. Small, Benjamin G. Workinger, Samuel Daugherty-Saunders
  • Omnivorous solar thermal thruster, cooling systems, and thermal energy transfer in rockets
    Patent number: 11391246
    Abstract: Omnivorous solar thermal thrusters and adjustable cooling structures are disclosed. In one aspect, a solar thermal rocket engine includes a solar thermal thruster configured to receive solar energy and one or more propellants, and heat the one or more propellants using the solar energy to generate thrust. The solar thermal thruster is further configured to use a plurality of different propellant types, either singly or in combination simultaneously. The solar thermal thruster is further configured to use the one or more propellants in both liquid and gaseous states. Related structures can include valves and variable-geometry cooling channels in thermal contact with a thruster wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2022
    Assignee: Trans Astronautica Corporation
    Inventors: Joel C. Sercel, Philip J. Wahl, Conrad T. Jensen, James G. Small, Benjamin G. Workinger, Samuel Daugherty-Saunders
  • OMNIVOROUS SOLAR THERMAL THRUSTER, COOLING SYSTEMS, AND THERMAL ENERGY TRANSFER IN ROCKETS
    Publication number: 20210404419
    Abstract: Omnivorous solar thermal thrusters and adjustable cooling structures are disclosed. In one aspect, a solar thermal rocket engine includes a solar thermal thruster configured to receive solar energy and one or more propellants, and heat the one or more propellants using the solar energy to generate thrust. The solar thermal thruster is further configured to use a plurality of different propellant types, either singly or in combination simultaneously. The solar thermal thruster is further configured to use the one or more propellants in both liquid and gaseous states. Related structures can include valves and variable-geometry cooling channels in thermal contact with a thruster wall.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 26, 2021
    Publication date: December 30, 2021
    Inventors: Joel C. Sercel, Philip J. Wahl, Conrad T. Jensen, James G. Small, Benjamin G. Workinger, Samuel Daugherty-Saunders