Patents by Inventor John E. Nealy

John E. Nealy 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).

  • Method of providing a lunar habitat from an external tank
    Patent number: 5094409
    Abstract: A lunar habitat is provided by placing an external tank of an orbiter in a low Earth orbit where the hydrogen tank is separated from the intertank and oxygen tank which form a base structure. The base structure is then outfitted with an air lock, living quarters, a thermal control system, an environmental control and life support system, and a propulsion system. After the mounting of an outer sheath about the base structure to act as a micrometeoroid shield, the base structure is propelled to a soft landing on the moon. The sheath is mounted at a distance from the base structure to provide a space therebetween which is filled with regolith after landing. Conveniently, a space station is used to outfit the base structure. Various elements of the oxygen tank and intertank are used in outfitting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 1990
    Date of Patent: March 10, 1992
    Assignees: The Bionetics Corporation, The United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration
    Inventors: Charles B. King, Warren D. Hypes, Lisa C. Simonsen, Ansel J. Butterfield, John E. Nealy, John B. Hall, Jr.