Patents by Inventor Brian C. Liechty

Brian C. Liechty 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).

  • Solid rocket motors including flight termination systems, and related multi-stage solid rocket motor assemblies and methods
    Patent number: 10781773
    Abstract: A solid rocket motor comprises a pressure vessel, a solid propellant structure within the pressure vessel, and a flight termination system overlying the pressure vessel. The flight termination system comprises a shaped charge configured and positioned to effectuate ignition of an inner portion of the solid propellant structure and a reduction in an ability of the pressure vessel to withstand a change in internal pressure. Another solid rocket motor, a multi-stage rocket motor assembly, and a method of destroying a launch vehicle in flight are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2020
    Assignee: Northrop Grumman Innovation Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph J. Kliger, Paul C. Braithwaite, Brian C. Liechty, Donald B. Patterson
  • SOLID ROCKET MOTORS INCLUDING FLIGHT TERMINATION SYSTEMS, AND RELATED MULTI-STAGE SOLID ROCKET MOTOR ASSEMBLIES AND METHODS
    Publication number: 20170122259
    Abstract: A solid rocket motor comprises a pressure vessel, a solid propellant structure within the pressure vessel, and a flight termination system overlying the pressure vessel. The flight termination system comprises a shaped charge configured and positioned to effectuate ignition of an inner portion of the solid propellant structure and a reduction in an ability of the pressure vessel to withstand a change in internal pressure. Another solid rocket motor, a multi-stage rocket motor assembly, and a method of destroying a launch vehicle in flight are also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 4, 2015
    Publication date: May 4, 2017
    Inventors: Joseph J. Kliger, Paul C. Braithwaite, Brian C. Liechty, Donald B. Patterson