Patents by Inventor James Shumate

James Shumate 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).

  • Patent number: 6983587
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for augmenting thrust in a rocket traveling through atmospheric gas. Rocket motor designs are provided where a throat(s) from one or more rocket motors eject high-speed primary exhaust gas in a configuration which peripherally surrounds an outlet for induced, secondary gas. The secondary gas is mixed with the jet of primary exhaust gas to add momentum, and therefore thrust. Either expansion deflection or plug type rocket discharge nozzles can be utilized. In one embodiment, a thrust augmentation of over one hundred percent is achieved. In another embodiment, a plurality of rocket motor assemblies each containing a thrust augmenting rocket motor design is affixed to a rocket body. Such rocket motors enhance rocket thrust performance, and enables more efficient payload to rocket motor selection, or, alternatively, allows higher loads to be carried with the same amount of thrust.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2006
    Inventor: James Shumate
  • Publication number: 20040079072
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for augmenting thrust in a rocket traveling through atmospheric gas. Rocket motor designs are provided where a throat(s) from one or more rocket motors eject high-speed primary exhaust gas in a configuration which peripherally surrounds an outlet for induced, secondary gas. The secondary gas is mixed with the jet of primary exhaust gas to add momentum, and therefore thrust. Either expansion deflection or plug type rocket discharge nozzles can be utilized. In one embodiment, a thrust augmentation of over one hundred percent is achieved. In another embodiment, a plurality of rocket motor assemblies each containing a thrust augmenting rocket motor design is affixed to a rocket body. Such rocket motors enhance rocket thrust performance, and enables more efficient payload to rocket motor selection, or, alternatively, allows higher loads to be carried with the same amount of thrust.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2002
    Publication date: April 29, 2004
    Inventor: James Shumate