Patents by Inventor Michael B. DiVerde

Michael B. DiVerde 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: 6416018
    Abstract: A satellite dispenser adapted to be coupled to a launch vehicle. The dispenser includes a single-piece, integrally formed tubular shell for supporting a plurality of independent satellites thereon. The tubular shell is significantly lighter than multi-piece dispenser shells that require a connecting ring for coupling the post portion and base portion of the shell together. The single piece shell also significantly reduces the cost and simplifies the manufacture of the dispenser shell. The dispenser shell, in certain preferred embodiments, includes a tapered post portion which enables satellites being carried on the upper portion of the post portion to extend further into a fairing disposed over the satellites and dispenser shell during flight, thus making more efficient use of the envelope defined by the interior area of the fairing. A frusto-conical base portion integrally formed with the post portion enables the load supported by the dispenser shell to be evenly distributed throughout the base portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2002
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Michael B. DiVerde, Kenneth N. Telford, George J. Budris, Christopher M. Gil, John F. Steinmeyer
  • Patent number: 6357698
    Abstract: A dispenser apparatus and method which includes a blended dispenser shell having a lower portion and a pair of integrally formed upper support portions defining two distinct support areas on which a pair of spacecrafts can be supported in a side-by-side configuration. The upper support portions are further disposed within an envelope defined by a lower edge of the lower portion of the dispenser shell. In one alternative embodiment a pair of adapter shells are disposed on the upper support portions to enable interfacing with a standardized interface ring of each spacecraft. The embodiments of the dispenser are each formed from a graphite epoxy material by conventional construction processes and significantly reduce the overall weight of the dispenser, as compared with dispensers which support a pair of spacecrafts in a vertical configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2002
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Michael B. DiVerde, Kenneth Norman Telford
  • Publication number: 20020000495
    Abstract: A satellite dispenser adapted to be coupled to a launch vehicle. The dispenser includes a single-piece, integrally formed tubular shell for supporting a plurality of independent satellites thereon. The tubular shell is significantly lighter than multi-piece dispenser shells that require a connecting ring for coupling the post portion and base portion of the shell together. The single piece shell also significantly reduces the cost and simplifies the manufacture of the dispenser shell. The dispenser shell, in certain preferred embodiments, includes a tapered post portion which enables satellites being carried on the upper portion of the post portion to extend further into a fairing disposed over the satellites and dispenser shell during flight, thus making more efficient use of the envelope defined by the interior area of the fairing. A frusto-conical base portion integrally formed with the post portion enables the load supported by the dispenser shell to be evenly distributed throughout the base portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 22, 1999
    Publication date: January 3, 2002
    Inventors: MICHAEL B. DIVERDE, KENNETH N. TELFORD, GEORGE J. BUDRIS, CHRISTOPHER M. GIL, JOHN F. STEINMEYER
  • Patent number: 6138951
    Abstract: A dispensing system for releasing a number of spacecraft from a launch vehicle. The dispensing system includes a base support structure securely fastened to a launch vehicle and a number of stacked frame assemblies. Each frame assembly includes a number of substantially parallel load bearing elongated post elements and a shear load transferring structure. The post elements are so arranged and spaced so as to define a geometry having a centerline. Each post element has a first end portion and a second end portion. Each first end portion is connected to either another frame assembly or the base support structure of the launch vehicle. The post elements support a number of spacecraft. The spacecraft are supported between adjacent post elements. The shear load transferring structure is connected to the post elements for transferring shear loads between the post elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2000
    Assignee: McDonnell Douglas Corporation
    Inventors: George J. Budris, Peter A. McGrath, II, Tony L. Toulouse, Richard J. Catalano, Michael B. Diverde