Patents by Inventor Keith G. Rackers

Keith G. Rackers 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: 12078458
    Abstract: A fin deployment system for a projectile positioned in a chamber, the fin deployment system including a non-rotatable hinge pin shaft, a fin member, and a unidirectional ratchet collar member. The non-rotatable hinge pin shaft, which is coupled to the shell, defines a helically-oriented pathway. The fin member has a fin lug that couples the fin member on the hinge pin shaft for simultaneous axial and rotational movement along the helically-oriented pathway to a deployed position at an aft region of the projectile. Such movement is induced at least partially by application of a centripetal load and aerodynamic load as the projectile rotates upon launch from a chamber. The unidirectional ratchet collar member is disposed on the hinge pin shaft for unidirectional axial movement and radial expansion induced by the simultaneous axial and rotational movement of the fin member that retains the fin member in the deployed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2023
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2024
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Keith G. Rackers, David T. Fischer
  • Patent number: 11370524
    Abstract: A mechanically attached thermal protection system (MATPS) includes an insulating tile having a top surface, a bottom surface, and a plurality of access holes that extend through the insulating tile from the top surface to the bottom surface. A plurality of brackets include a first end attached to the insulating tile and a second end including a mounting hole therethrough, the second end being positioned proximate the bottom surface of the insulating tile. A plurality of fasteners are positioned proximate the bottom surface of the insulating tile and at least partially positioned within one of the access holes so as to be accessible from the top surface of the insulating tile through one of the plurality of access holes. A MATPS including a plurality of air channels within the insulating tile and a method for sealing these air channels to those within an adjacent structure is also described herein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2022
    Assignee: THE BOEING COMPANY
    Inventors: George P. Halamandaris, Thomas R. Pinney, Jonathan D. Embler, Adam J. Lang, Keith G. Rackers, Stephen E. Lehman
  • Publication number: 20180304988
    Abstract: A mechanically attached thermal protection system (MATPS) includes an insulating tile having a top surface, a bottom surface, and a plurality of access holes that extend through the insulating tile from the top surface to the bottom surface. A plurality of brackets include a first end attached to the insulating tile and a second end including a mounting hole therethrough, the second end being positioned proximate the bottom surface of the insulating tile. A plurality of fasteners are positioned proximate the bottom surface of the insulating tile and at least partially positioned within one of the access holes so as to be accessible from the top surface of the insulating tile through one of the plurality of access holes. A MATPS including a plurality of air channels within the insulating tile and a method for sealing these air channels to those within an adjacent structure is also described herein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 2, 2018
    Publication date: October 25, 2018
    Inventors: George P. Halamandaris, Thomas R. Pinney, Jonathan D. Embler, Adam J. Lang, Keith G. Rackers, Stephen E. Lehman
  • Patent number: 10106242
    Abstract: A mechanically attached thermal protection system (MATPS) includes an insulating tile having a top surface, a bottom surface, and a plurality of access holes that extend through the insulating tile from the top surface to the bottom surface. A plurality of brackets include a first end attached to the insulating tile and a second end including a mounting hole therethrough, the second end being positioned proximate the bottom surface of the insulating tile. A plurality of fasteners are positioned proximate the bottom surface of the insulating tile and at least partially positioned within one of the access holes so as to be accessible from the top surface of the insulating tile through one of the plurality of access holes. A MATPS including a plurality of air channels within the insulating tile and a method for sealing these air channels to those within an adjacent structure is also described herein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2018
    Assignee: THE BOEING COMPANY
    Inventors: George P. Halamandaris, Thomas R. Pinney, Jonathan D. Embler, Adam J. Lang, Keith G. Rackers, Stephen E. Lehman
  • Patent number: 9714819
    Abstract: Stepped sabots for projectiles are provided. One sabot includes a cylindrical tubular body and at least one stepped surface within the cylindrical tubular body. The stepped surface is configured for engaging at least one complementary surface on a projectile and the stepped surface forms a progressively narrower inner diameter of the cylindrical tubular body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2017
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Craig R. DeMeester, Keith G. Rackers