Patents by Inventor J. Brockton Howe

J. Brockton Howe 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).

  • Spacecraft systems airlock for international space station access and interface and methods of operation
    Patent number: 11718425
    Abstract: Embodiments provide a spacecraft airlock system. Embodiments provide a method and apparatus for attaching space exposed payloads to a space station. The spacecraft airlock system provides a defined volume of space payload to the international space station. The airlock further includes a means of attaching to a space station, a closed structure attached to said means, said means of attaching is capable of robotic manipulation, and a cooling system for cooling payload components within said closed structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2023
    Assignee: NANORACKS, LLC
    Inventors: Michael David Johnson, Mark David Rowley, Michael Desmond Lewis, J. Brockton Howe
  • Spacecraft systems and methods
    Patent number: 10882646
    Abstract: Embodiments provide a spacecraft airlock system. Embodiments provide a method and apparatus for attaching space exposed payloads to a space station.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2021
    Assignee: NanoRacks, LLC
    Inventors: Michael David Johnson, Mark David Rowley, Michael Desmond Lewis, J. Brockton Howe
  • Spacecraft systems airlock for international space station access and interface and methods of operation
    Patent number: 10850872
    Abstract: Embodiments provide a spacecraft airlock system. Embodiments provide a method and apparatus for attaching space exposed payloads to a space station. The spacecraft airlock system provides a defined volume of space payload to the international space station. The airlock further includes a means of attaching to a space station, a closed structure attached to said means, said means of attaching is capable of robotic manipulation, and a cooling system for cooling payload components within said closed structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2020
    Assignee: NanoRocks, LLC
    Inventors: Michael David Johnson, Mark David Rowley, Michael Desmond Lewis, J. Brockton Howe
  • Grapple-Fixture Deployment Device
    Publication number: 20200216200
    Abstract: A grapple-fixture deployment device allows for an easy, quick, and safe disposal of an unnecessary payload from a space station. The grapple-fixture deployment device includes a space station remote manipulator system (SSRMS)-securing module, a separation system, a payload-securing module, a first attachment mechanism, and a second attachment mechanism. The SSRMS-securing module allows the grapple-fixture deployment device to be attached to the robotic arm apparatus of a mobile servicing system (MSS). The separation system is a spacecraft deployment system that is used to eject the payload-securing mechanism from the rest of the grapple-fixture deployment device. The payload-securing module allows the grapple-fixture deployment device to be attached to a payload. The first attachment mechanism is used to attach the SSRMS-securing module to the robotic arm apparatus of a MSS. The second attachment mechanism is used to attach the payload-securing module to the payload.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 3, 2020
    Publication date: July 9, 2020
    Inventors: Michael Desmond Lewis, J. Brockton Howe, Mark David Rowley, Steven Stenzel
  • Spacecraft systems and methods
    Patent number: 10569911
    Abstract: Embodiments provide a spacecraft airlock system. Embodiments provide a method and apparatus for attaching space exposed payloads to a space station.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2020
    Assignee: NanoRacks, LLC
    Inventors: Michael David Johnson, Mark David Rowley, Michael Desmond Lewis, J. Brockton Howe
  • SPACECRAFT SYSTEMS AIRLOCK FOR INTERNATIONAL SPACE STATION ACCESS AND INTERFACE AND METHODS OF OPERATION
    Publication number: 20180186479
    Abstract: Embodiments provide a spacecraft airlock system. Embodiments provide a method and apparatus for attaching space exposed payloads to a space station. The spacecraft airlock system provides a defined volume of space payload to the international space station. The airlock further includes a means of attaching to a space station, a closed structure attached to said means, said means of attaching is capable of robotic manipulation, and a cooling system for cooling payload components within said closed structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 2, 2018
    Publication date: July 5, 2018
    Inventors: Michael David Johnson, Mark David Rowley, Michael Desmond Lewis, J. Brockton Howe
  • SPACECRAFT SYSTEMS AND METHODS
    Publication number: 20170096241
    Abstract: Embodiments provide a spacecraft airlock system. Embodiments provide a method and apparatus for attaching space exposed payloads to a space station.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2016
    Publication date: April 6, 2017
    Inventors: Michael David Johnson, Mark David Rowley, Michael Desmond Lewis, J. Brockton Howe