Patents by Inventor John C. Mankins

John C. Mankins 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).

  • Reusable module for the storage, transportation, and supply of multiple propellants in a space environment
    Patent number: 6739555
    Abstract: A space module has an outer structure designed for traveling in space, a docking mechanism for facilitating a docking operation therewith in space, a first storage system storing a first propellant that burns as a result of a chemical reaction therein, a second storage system storing a second propellant that burns as a result of electrical energy being added thereto, and a bi-directional transfer interface coupled to each of the first and second storage systems to transfer the first and second propellants into and out thereof. The space module can be part of a propellant supply architecture that includes at least two of the space modules placed in an orbit in space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2004
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration
    Inventors: Daniel D. Mazanek, John C. Mankins
  • Reusable module for the storage, transportation, and supply of multiple propellants in a space environment
    Publication number: 20030025037
    Abstract: A space module has an outer structure designed for traveling in space, a docking mechanism for facilitating a docking operation therewith in space, a first storage system storing a first propellant that burns as a result of a chemical reaction therein, a second storage system storing a second propellant that burns as a result of electrical energy being added thereto, and a bi-directional transfer interface coupled to each of the first and second storage systems to transfer the first and second propellants into and out thereof. The space module can be part of a propellant supply architecture that includes at least two of the space modules placed in an orbit in space.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 2, 2002
    Publication date: February 6, 2003
    Applicant: National Aeronautics and Space Administration
    Inventors: Daniel D. Mazanek, John C. Mankins