Patents by Inventor John Patrick SHEEHAN

John Patrick SHEEHAN 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).

  • Electrodeless plasma thruster
    Patent number: 11365016
    Abstract: A plasma propulsion system with no internal electrodes is described. Gas is flowed into an insulated axisymmetric plasma liner. A radio frequency antenna generates an inductive or helicon plasma discharge within the liner. The plasma is accelerated through a converging/diverging magnetic field out of the liner, generating thrust.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2022
    Assignee: THE REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN
    Inventors: Benjamin Longmier, John Patrick Sheehan, Alec D. Gallimore
  • Converging/diverging magnetic nozzle
    Patent number: 11325727
    Abstract: A magnetic nozzle having a converging/diverging contour shape that converts the thermal energy of a propellant into directed kinetic energy, but uses magnetic fields instead of a physical boundary to direct the flow of particles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2022
    Assignee: THE REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN
    Inventors: Benjamin Longmier, John Patrick Sheehan
  • ELECTRODELESS PLASMA THRUSTER
    Publication number: 20160207642
    Abstract: A plasma propulsion system with no internal electrodes is described. Gas is flowed into an insulated axisymmetric plasma liner. A radio frequency antenna generates an inductive or helicon plasma discharge within the liner. The plasma is accelerated through a converging/diverging magnetic field out of the liner, generating thrust.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 27, 2014
    Publication date: July 21, 2016
    Applicant: THE REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN
    Inventors: Benjamin LONGMIER, John Patrick SHEEHAN, Alec D. GALLIMORE
  • CONVERGING/DIVERGING MAGNETIC NOZZLE
    Publication number: 20160200458
    Abstract: A magnetic nozzle having a converging/diverging contour shape that converts the thermal energy of a propellant into directed kinetic energy, but uses magnetic fields instead of a physical boundary to direct the flow of particles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 27, 2014
    Publication date: July 14, 2016
    Inventors: Benjamin LONGMIER, John Patrick SHEEHAN
  • SUPER-PRESSURE BALLOON
    Publication number: 20160096612
    Abstract: A payload delivery and recovery system, having a payload including a data collection device arranged to collect data, and a controllable ascent vehicle comprising a controllable lighter than air (LTA) mechanism detachably coupled to the payload and used during an ascent phase to deliver the payload to a pre-determined altitude. The LTA mechanism includes low cost super-pressure balloons.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2015
    Publication date: April 7, 2016
    Inventors: Benjamin Longmier, John Mark Guthery, John Patrick Sheehan
  • VARIABLE BUOYANCY LIGHTER THAN AIR GLIDER
    Publication number: 20160052614
    Abstract: A payload delivery and recovery system, having a payload including a data collection device arranged to collect data, and a controllable ascent vehicle comprising a controllable lighter than air (LTA) mechanism detachably coupled to the payload and used during an ascent phase to deliver the payload to a pre-determined altitude. The payload delivery and recovery system also having a controllable descent mechanism releasably attached to the controllable ascent vehicle and that can be used during a descent phase for reducing a rate of descent of the payload subsequent to release of the payload at the pre-determined altitude and including a control system for navigating the payload to a desired ground location during a recovery phase.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 25, 2015
    Publication date: February 25, 2016
    Inventors: Benjamin Wesley Longmier, John Mark Guthery, John Patrick Sheehan, Benjamin Natan Wachs
  • ATMOSPHERIC DATA COLLECTION AND RECOVERY SYSTEMS AND METHODS
    Publication number: 20160018823
    Abstract: A payload delivery and recovery system, having a payload including a data collection device arranged to collect data, and a controllable ascent vehicle comprising a controllable lighter than air (LTA) mechanism detachably coupled to the payload and used during an ascent phase to deliver the payload to a pre-determined altitude. The payload delivery and recovery system also having a controllable descent mechanism releasably attached to the controllable ascent vehicle and that can be used during a descent phase for reducing a rate of descent of the payload subsequent to release of the payload at the pre-determined altitude and including a control system for navigating the payload to a desired ground location during a recovery phase.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 17, 2015
    Publication date: January 21, 2016
    Inventors: Benjamin LONGMIER, John Mark GUTHERY, Benjamin Natan WACHS, Roman Andrew KOZAK, John Patrick SHEEHAN, Simon Rubin HALPERN