Patents by Inventor Kevin Mahaffy

Kevin Mahaffy 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).

  • Dual-mode chemical-electric thrusters for spacecraft
    Patent number: 7703273
    Abstract: Spacecraft thrusters capable of dual-mode operation, and a method of applying propulsion to a spacecraft using a dual-mode thruster are provided. In one embodiment, the thrusters of the current invention can operate as a chemical motor to provide high thrust and low propellant exhaust velocity to achieve fast maneuverability, or as an electric propulsion thruster to provide low thrust and high exhaust velocity to perform maneuvers with a minimal amount of propellant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2010
    Inventors: Gregory G. Spanjers, Kevin Mahaffy, Ronald A. Spores, David White, Michael Dulligan, Marcy Dulligan, legal representative, Hieu Nguyen
  • Dual-mode chemical-electric thrusters for spacecraft
    Publication number: 20090139206
    Abstract: Spacecraft thrusters capable of dual-mode operation, and a method of applying s propulsion to a spacecraft using a dual-mode thruster are provided. In one embodiment, the thrusters of the current invention can operate as a chemical motor to provide high thrust and low propellant exhaust velocity to achieve fast maneuverability, or as an electric propulsion thruster to provide low thrust and high exhaust velocity to perform maneuvers with a minimal amount of propellant.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 3, 2003
    Publication date: June 4, 2009
    Inventors: Gregory G. Spanjers, Kevin Mahaffy, Ronald A. Spores, David White, Michael Dulligan, Hieu Nguyen