Patents by Inventor Chris Grainger

Chris Grainger 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).

  • Publication number: 20260002598
    Abstract: The disclosed technology provides compact valve systems. A disclosed valve system may comprise: (1) a housing comprising apertures to permit a fluid connection between a chamber the housing is positioned within and a cavity of the housing; (2) a secondary valve positioned concentrically outside the housing; and (3) a primary valve comprising a valve seat positioned concentrically within the cavity. When the secondary valve is in a closed position the secondary valve may cover the apertures to block the fluid connection between the chamber and the cavity. When the primary valve is in a closed position and the secondary valve is in an open position, a first axial direction-facing surface of the valve seat may be positioned in a second axial direction from the apertures, thus blocking a fluid connection between the chamber and a fluid routing structure positioned in the second axial direction from the valve seat.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2024
    Publication date: January 1, 2026
    Inventors: Anthony Gemmill, Chris Grainger, Luke Colby
  • Patent number: 8099945
    Abstract: Disclosed is a propulsion system having a structural configuration that provides easy and convenient access to the interior regions of a liquid fuel tank and a hybrid rocket motor case. In one embodiment, the propulsion system comprises: a hybrid rocket motor case and a fuel tank coupled to the hybrid motor case. The motor case is configured to hold solid rocket fuel and the fuel tank defines an internal volume configured to hold a fluid oxidizer. A bulkhead is interposed between the motor case and the fuel tank, wherein at least one access passageway extends through the bulkhead. The access passageway provides exterior access to the interior volume of the motor case or the internal volume of the storage tank while the hybrid rocket motor is coupled to the fuel tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2012
    Assignee: Spacedev, Inc.
    Inventors: Frank Macklin, Chris Grainger
  • Publication number: 20110314790
    Abstract: Disclosed is a propulsion system having a structural configuration that provides easy and convenient access to the interior regions of a liquid fuel tank and a hybrid rocket motor case. In one embodiment, the propulsion system comprises: a hybrid rocket motor case and a fuel tank coupled to the hybrid motor case. The motor case is configured to hold solid rocket fuel and the fuel tank defines an internal volume configured to hold a fluid oxidizer. A bulkhead is interposed between the motor case and the fuel tank, wherein at least one access passageway extends through the bulkhead. The access passageway provides exterior access to the interior volume of the motor case or the internal volume of the storage tank while the hybrid rocket motor is coupled to the fuel tank.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 16, 2009
    Publication date: December 29, 2011
    Inventors: Frank MacKlin, Chris Grainger
  • Patent number: 7503165
    Abstract: Disclosed is a propulsion system having a structural configuration that provides easy and convenient access to the interior regions of a liquid fuel tank and a hybrid rocket motor case. In one embodiment, the propulsion system comprises: a hybrid rocket motor case and a fuel tank coupled to the hybrid motor case. The motor case is configured to hold solid rocket fuel and the fuel tank defines an internal volume configured to hold a fluid oxidizer. A bulkhead is interposed between the motor case and the fuel tank, wherein at least one access passageway extends through the bulkhead. The access passageway provides exterior access to the interior volume of the motor case or the internal volume of the storage tank while the hybrid rocket motor is coupled to the fuel tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2009
    Assignee: SpaceDev, Inc.
    Inventors: Frank MacKlin, Chris Grainger
  • Patent number: 7069717
    Abstract: Disclosed is a propulsion system for a spacecraft. The propulsion system includes a supply of oxidizer and at least one nozzle. A conduit fluidly couples the supply of oxidizer and the nozzle. The conduit provides a pathway for oxidizer to flow in a downstream direction from the supply of oxidizer toward and into the nozzle. A pressure regulator is coupled to the conduit and is interposed between the supply of oxidizer and the nozzle, wherein the pressure regulator regulates the pressure of oxidizer flowing through the conduit and downstream of the pressure regulator to a pressure at or below the pressure required to maintain the oxidizer in a gas state to ensure that the any oxidizer flowing through the conduit is in a gas state prior to entering the nozzle. The conduit supplies oxidizer from the supply of oxidizer to a hybrid rocket motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2006
    Assignee: SpaceDev, Inc.
    Inventors: Chris Grainger, Frank Macklin
  • Publication number: 20060064963
    Abstract: Disclosed is a propulsion system having a structural configuration that provides easy and convenient access to the interior regions of a liquid fuel tank and a hybrid rocket motor case. In one embodiment, the propulsion system comprises: a hybrid rocket motor case and a fuel tank coupled to the hybrid motor case. The motor case is configured to hold solid rocket fuel and the fuel tank defines an internal volume configured to hold a fluid oxidizer. A bulkhead is interposed between the motor case and the fuel tank, wherein at least one access passageway extends through the bulkhead. The access passageway provides exterior access to the interior volume of the motor case or the internal volume of the storage tank while the hybrid rocket motor is coupled to the fuel tank.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 1, 2005
    Publication date: March 30, 2006
    Inventors: Frank MacKlin, Chris Grainger
  • Publication number: 20050229583
    Abstract: Disclosed is a propulsion system for a spacecraft. The propulsion system includes a supply of oxidizer and at least one nozzle. A conduit fluidly couples the supply of oxidizer and the nozzle. The conduit provides a pathway for oxidizer to flow in a downstream direction from the supply of oxidizer toward and into the nozzle. A pressure regulator is coupled to the conduit and is interposed between the supply of oxidizer and the nozzle, wherein the pressure regulator regulates the pressure of oxidizer flowing through the conduit and downstream of the pressure regulator to a pressure at or below the pressure required to maintain the oxidizer in a gas state to ensure that the any oxidizer flowing through the conduit is in a gas state prior to entering the nozzle. The conduit supplies oxidizer from the supply of oxidizer to a hybrid rocket motor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 15, 2004
    Publication date: October 20, 2005
    Inventors: Chris Grainger, Frank MacKlin