Patents by Inventor Michael E. Rorabaugh

Michael E. Rorabaugh 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).

  • Carbon-carbon grid elements for ion thruster ion optics
    Patent number: 5548953
    Abstract: Carbon-carbon grids for ion optics sets are thermomechanically stable under the extreme temperature changes that are experienced in ion thrusters. Screen, accelerator and decelerator grids are thermomechanically stable, lightweight, and resistant to erosion from ion sputtering and have extended lifetimes over conventional molybdenum grids.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 27, 1996
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Daniel E. Hedges, Jere S. Meserole, Jr., Michael E. Rorabaugh
  • Ion thruster with ion optics having carbon-carbon composite elements
    Patent number: 5448883
    Abstract: Carbon-carbon elements for ion optics sets are thermomechanically stable under the extreme temperature changes that are experienced in ion thrusters. The elements described include screen and accelerator grids and methods of producing such grids. The described elements are thermomechanically stable, lightweight, and resistant to sputtering.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 1993
    Date of Patent: September 12, 1995
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Jere S. Meserole, Jr., Daniel E. Hedges, Michael E. Rorabaugh