Patents by Inventor Gerard P. Szatkowski

Gerard P. Szatkowski 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).

  • Efficient solar panel wing-stowage on a space launch vehicle
    Patent number: 8720830
    Abstract: An adapter assembly for interconnection with a launch vehicle is provided. Generally, the adapter assembly is positioned between two separable components of a launch vehicle along a longitudinal axis of the launch vehicle to structurally interconnect the components. In an embodiment, a solar panel having a stowed state and a deployed state is interconnected to the adapter assembly. In a stowed state, the solar panel can be positioned within the interior space of the adapter assembly to utilize space within the launch vehicle that would otherwise not be fully utilized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Assignee: United Launch Alliance, L.L.C.
    Inventor: Gerard P. Szatkowski
  • Apparatus and method of transferring and utilizing residual fuel of a launch vehicle upper stage
    Patent number: 8393582
    Abstract: A launch system is provided which includes a secondary payload. The secondary payload includes a propellant tank and at least one module that is supported by an adapter ring that is commonly used to secure an upper stage to a primary payload. The propellant tank is launched empty and subsequently filled with residual propellant from the upper stage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2013
    Assignee: United Launch Alliance, L.L.C.
    Inventors: Bernard Friedrich Kutter, Jonathan D. Barr, Mari E. Gravlee, Gerard P. Szatkowski, Frank C. Zegler