Patents by Inventor Michael R. Kapolnek

Michael R. Kapolnek 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).

  • Split shell spacecraft
    Patent number: 5950965
    Abstract: A modular spacecraft and fabrication method for producing a spacecraft of the kind that forms an enclosure and framework for installation of the external and internal subsystems of the spacecraft. The primary structure of the spacecraft is formed as a split shell enclosure including composite formed upper and lower shell portions. The spacecraft, with the shells open, provides an extremely high degree of access during the assembly, installation and test of the spacecraft. A self-aligning tapered joint is formed at respective contacting lip surfaces of at least one set of common end walls of the upper and lower shell portions. Heat pipes are formed integral within the composite structure of selected walls of the shell portion to provide thermal regulation to the spacecraft and the subsystems contained therein. Removable battery modules are incorporated into the end wall structure of the upper shell portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 14, 1999
    Assignee: Lockheed Martin Corporation
    Inventors: Kenneth William Epstein, Michael Joseph Glogowski, William Glen Imes, Michael R. Kapolnek, Kevin M. Bilger
  • Apparatus for fabricating a graded-groove heat pipe
    Patent number: 5051146
    Abstract: A chemical etching technique is described for providing longitudinally extending capillary grooves of variable cross-sectional dimension on the interior surface of a heat pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 1990
    Date of Patent: September 24, 1991
    Assignee: Lockheed Missiles & Space Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael R. Kapolnek, Alexander R. Feild, Robert T. Hartle, Hillard R. Holmes
  • Graded-groove heat pipe
    Patent number: 5010951
    Abstract: A heat pipe and chemical etching technique is described for providing longitudinally extending capillary grooves of variable cross-sectional dimension on the interior surface of the heat pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 1989
    Date of Patent: April 30, 1991
    Assignee: Lockhead Missiles & Space Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael R. Kapolnek, Alexander R. Feild, Robert T. Hartle, Hillard R. Holmes
  • Method of fabricating a graded-groove heat pipe
    Patent number: 4989319
    Abstract: A chemical etching technique provides longitudinally extending capillary grooves of variable cross-sectional dimension on the interior surface of a heat pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 1990
    Date of Patent: February 5, 1991
    Assignee: Lockheed Missiles & Space Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael R. Kapolnek, Alexander R. Feild, Robert T. Hartle, Hillard R. Holmes