Patents by Inventor Larry G. Adams

Larry G. Adams 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: 10544900
    Abstract: According to the invention, an extendable member is disclosed. The extendable member may include a structure having a first state and a second state. The structure may be deformable between the first state and the second state. In the first state the structure may include a compact form. In the second state the structure may include a hollow longeron having a slit along the entire length of the hollow longeron. One or both longitudinal edges along the slit of the hollow longeron may have lateral protrusions. The lateral protrusions of a longitudinal edge may act in such a way with the other edge, and possibly its protrusions, to at least partially inhibit relative motion of the edges.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2020
    Assignee: Composite Technology Development, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Taylor, Dana Turse, Larry G. Adams, Mark Reavis, Doug Richardson
  • Patent number: 10071823
    Abstract: An asymmetric mast is disclosed that can be used for solar arrays. The asymmetric mast can have an asymmetry out of the plane of the solar blanket. The mast may include two or more booms that comprise slit tube longerons. In some embodiments, a single mast can be used with one or two solar blankets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2018
    Assignee: COMPOSITE TECHNOLOGY DEPARTMENT, INC.
    Inventors: Dana Turse, Robert Taylor, Larry G. Adams, Doug Richardson
  • Patent number: 9664211
    Abstract: Various shape memory polymer (SMP) devices are disclosed. Many of these SMP devices can be used as attachment and/or release mechanisms for any number of different applications. These SMP devices can use various characteristics of the SMP material to allow for various shape changes. These shape changes, in some embodiments, can be used to provide for release and/or attachment devices, for example, SMP bolts, SMP screws, SMP collars, SMP pillars, SMP panels, and/or SMP rivets, to name a few. An SMP device can include a first geometric state and a second geometric shape. The first geometric shape can restrict motion of two distinct objects relative to one another and the second geometrical shape can allow motion of two distinct objects relative to one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2017
    Assignee: COMPOSITE TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT, INC.
    Inventors: Mike Tupper, Robert Taylor, Dana Turse, Doug Richardson, Larry G. Adams, Philip N. Keller
  • Publication number: 20150144740
    Abstract: An asymmetric mast is disclosed that can be used for solar arrays. The asymmetric mast can have an asymmetry out of the plane of the solar blanket. The mast may include two or more booms that comprise slit tube longerons. In some embodiments, a single mast can be used with one or two solar blankets.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 26, 2014
    Publication date: May 28, 2015
    Inventors: Dana Turse, Robert Taylor, Larry G. Adams, Doug Richardson
  • Publication number: 20140360665
    Abstract: A unitary reflector system and methods for forming that include a reflector and support structure. These two structures can form a single unitary structure. Such a reflector system can be constructed from composite laminate materials that are laid up or formed in during a single manufacturing process. The composite support structure can be formed on the back of the reflector using standard laminate techniques. An extractable tool, can include a rigid core, one or more foam blocks, which may be shape a memory polymer foam, an elastic membrane, and a nozzle. The foam blocks can be shaped to provide a mold of the composite structure being manufactured. This mold may require the extractable tool to be trapped by the composite structure after manufacture. Use of the foams can allow the extractable tool to shrink in at least one dimension in order to extract the tool from the trapped configuration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2012
    Publication date: December 11, 2014
    Inventors: Michael Tupper, Robert Taylor, Dana Turse, Rory Barrett, Larry G. Adams
  • Publication number: 20140329034
    Abstract: According to the invention, an extendable member is disclosed. The extendable member may include a structure having a first state and a second state. The structure may be deformable between the first state and the second state. In the first state the structure may include a compact form. In the second state the structure may include a hollow longeron having a slit along the entire length of the hollow longeron. One or both longitudinal edges along the slit of the hollow longeron may have lateral protrusions. The lateral protrusions of a longitudinal edge may act in such a way with the other edge, and possibly its protrusions, to at least partially inhibit relative motion of the edges.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 16, 2014
    Publication date: November 6, 2014
    Inventors: Robert Taylor, Dana Turse, Larry G. Adams, Mark Reavis, Doug Richardson
  • Patent number: 8863369
    Abstract: According to the invention, an extendable member is disclosed. The extendable member may include a structure having a first state and a second state. The structure may be deformable between the first state and the second state. In the first state the structure may include a compact form. In the second state the structure may include a hollow longeron having a slit along the entire length of the hollow longeron. One or both longitudinal edges along the slit of the hollow longeron may have lateral protrusions. The lateral protrusions of a longitudinal edge may act in such a way with the other edge, and possibly its protrusions, to at least partially inhibit relative motion of the edges.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignee: Composite Technology Development, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Taylor, Dana Turse, Larry G. Adams, Mark Reavis, Doug Richardson
  • Publication number: 20140026390
    Abstract: Various shape memory polymer (SMP) devices are disclosed. Many of these SMP devices can be used as attachment and/or release mechanisms for any number of different applications. These SMP devices can use various characteristics of the SMP material to allow for various shape changes. These shape changes, in some embodiments, can be used to provide for release and/or attachment devices, for example, SMP bolts, SMP screws, SMP collars, SMP pillars, SMP panels, and/or SMP rivets, to name a few. An SMP device can include a first geometric state and a second geometric shape. The first geometric shape can restrict motion of two distinct objects relative to one another and the second geometrical shape can allow motion of two distinct objects relative to one another.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 4, 2013
    Publication date: January 30, 2014
    Applicant: Composite Technology Development, Inc.
    Inventors: Mike Tupper, Robert Taylor, Dana Turse, Doug Richardson, Larry G. Adams, Philip N. Keller
  • Publication number: 20130153144
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention are directed toward extractable tooling devices for composite structure manufacturing. An extractable tool, according to some embodiments of the invention, can include a rigid core, one or more foam blocks, an elastic membrane, and a nozzle. The foam blocks can be shaped to provide a mold of the composite structure being manufactured. This mold may require the extractable tool to be trapped by the composite structure after manufacture. Use of the foams can allow the extractable tool to shrink in at least one dimension in order to extract the tool from the trapped configuration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2011
    Publication date: June 20, 2013
    Applicant: Composite Technology Development, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Tupper, Rory Barrett, Larry G. Adams, Robert Taylor, Dana Turse
  • Publication number: 20130061541
    Abstract: According to the invention, an extendable member is disclosed. The extendable member may include a structure having a first state and a second state. The structure may be deformable between the first state and the second state. In the first state the structure may include a compact form. In the second state the structure may include a hollow longeron having a slit along the entire length of the hollow longeron. One or both longitudinal edges along the slit of the hollow longeron may have lateral protrusions. The lateral protrusions of a longitudinal edge may act in such a way with the other edge, and possibly its protrusions, to at least partially inhibit relative motion of the edges.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2011
    Publication date: March 14, 2013
    Applicant: Composite Technology Development, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Taylor, Dana Turse, Larry G. Adams, Mark Reavis, Doug Richardson
  • Publication number: 20130042461
    Abstract: Various shape memory polymer (SMP) devices are disclosed. Many of these SMP devices can be used as attachment and/or release mechanisms for any number of different applications. These SMP devices can use various characteristics of the SMP material to allow for various shape changes. These shape changes, in some embodiments, can be used to provide for release and/or attachment devices, for example, SMP bolts, SMP screws, SMP collars, SMP pillars, SMP panels, and/or SMP rivets, to name a few. An SMP device can include a first geometric state and a second geometric shape. The first geometric shape can restrict motion of two distinct objects relative to one another and the second geometrical shape can allow motion of two distinct objects relative to one another.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 26, 2012
    Publication date: February 21, 2013
    Applicant: Composite Technology Development, Inc.
    Inventors: Mike Tupper, Robert Taylor, Dana Turse, Doug Richardson, Larry G. Adams, Philip N. Keller
  • Patent number: 8109472
    Abstract: Structures and methods are disclosed regarding deployable structures with expandable longerons adjustably coupled with supporting structures such that an angle between the supporting structures can be adjusted. Such structures can include and/or be used for solar arrays, bridges, support structures, and more. These structures can be easily transported to a new location and deployed from the stowed configuration into a larger functional structure. In some embodiments these structures can use one or more longerons that can have two resting states: deployed and rolled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2012
    Assignee: Composite Technology Development, Inc.
    Inventors: Philip N. Keller, Robert Taylor, Larry G. Adams, Adam G. Gray, Naseem Munshi
  • Publication number: 20120012154
    Abstract: Structures and methods are disclosed regarding deployable structures with expandable longerons adjustably coupled with supporting structures such that an angle between the supporting structures can be adjusted. Such structures can include and/or be used for solar arrays, bridges, support structures, and more. These structures can be easily transported to a new location and deployed from the stowed configuration into a larger functional structure. In some embodiments these structures can use one or more longerons that can have two resting states: deployed and rolled.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 26, 2011
    Publication date: January 19, 2012
    Applicant: Composite Technology Development, Inc.
    Inventors: Philip N. Keller, Robert Taylor, Larry G. Adams, Adam G. Gray, Naseem Munshi
  • Patent number: 8066227
    Abstract: Deployable structures are disclosed having collapsible structural members that include a stowed configuration with a volume smaller than the expanded configuration. Such structures can include and/or be used for litters, bridges, support structures, solar arrays, and more. These structures can be easily transported to a new location and deployed from the stowed configuration into a larger functional structure. In some embodiments these structures can use one or more slit-tube longerons that can have two resting states: deployed and rolled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2011
    Assignee: Composite Technology Development, Inc.
    Inventors: Philip N. Keller, Robert Taylor, Dana Turse, Larry G. Adams
  • Publication number: 20110204186
    Abstract: Deployable structures are disclosed having collapsible structural members that include a stowed configuration with a volume smaller than the expanded configuration. Such structures can include and/or be used for litters, bridges, support structures, solar arrays, and more. These structures can be easily transported to a new location and deployed from the stowed configuration into a larger functional structure. In some embodiments these structures can use one or more slit-tube longerons that can have two resting states: deployed and rolled.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2011
    Publication date: August 25, 2011
    Applicant: Composite Technology Development, Inc.
    Inventors: Philip N. Keller, Robert Taylor, Dana Turse, Larry G. Adams
  • Patent number: 6196908
    Abstract: A diamond coated drill capable of drilling large holes in composite materials and then reaming the holes to their correct size includes a pair of prongs extending from a shank. Each of the prongs has a tip, a grinder, and a reamer. The tips initiate a hole, the grinders gradually grind the hole to the proper size, and the reamers control the final diameter of the hole. The tips have a coarse grit diamond coating. The grinders also have a coarse grit diamond coating and are axially tapered toward the tips. The reamers have a fine grit diamond coating and are disposed axially above the grinders and the shank of the drill. The grinders apply a radial load to the composite material resulting in no fiber breakout or splintering. The composite material drilled by the drill naturally falls out of the drill during drilling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2001
    Assignee: Storage Technology Corporation
    Inventor: Larry G. Adams
  • Patent number: 5354155
    Abstract: A diamond coated drill bit capable of drilling small holes and then reaming the holes to their correct size. The tapered tip of the drill bit has a coarse diamond grit coating which enables it to initiate a hole. The drill bit then gradually grinds the hole to the proper size with a grinder having coarse diamond grit bonded to its surface which is at a predetermined taper. The final diameter of the hole is controlled by using a fine grit diamond reamer above the tapered grinder portion. The grinder applies a radial load to the composite material resulting in no fiber breakout or splintering. The tapered grinder and the reamer are formed on a machined-flat portion of the drill bit which enables coolant to circulate down to the grinding area and allows the easy removal of debris.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 1993
    Date of Patent: October 11, 1994
    Assignee: Storage Technology Corporation
    Inventor: Larry G. Adams