Patents by Inventor Larry Raymond Hines

Larry Raymond Hines 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).

  • Reusable resupply systems and methods
    Patent number: 9914550
    Abstract: A multi-use resupply system for a space-based platform may include a multi-use tug to swap old and new cargo containers on a launch vehicle upper stage. The system can rely on the launch vehicle upper stage to provide the function of cargo de-orbit and disposal. The launch vehicle upper stage may be provided with sufficient propellant and propulsion functionality to operate for a long enough period in space to maneuver a new cargo container to a rendezvous trajectory, support the swapping of cargo containers, and then perform a de-orbit burn with the old cargo container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Assignee: Lockheed Martin Corporation
    Inventors: Robert Stephen Price, Larry Raymond Hines, John Charles Ringelberg