Patents by Inventor Mitchell Burnside Clapp

Mitchell Burnside Clapp 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).

  • In-flight transfer of reactant from a towing or carrying airplane to an attached rocket or rocketplane
    Patent number: 10384797
    Abstract: A high altitude vehicle is brought to a desired altitude above sea-level prior to the transfer of fuel and/or oxidant from an airplane to the high altitude vehicle. The high altitude vehicle may be towed to the desired altitude by a tow airplane or may reach the desired altitude under its own power. At the desired altitude, the high altitude vehicle is connected to the tow airplane via a tow cable. Alternatively, the high altitude vehicle may be mechanically carried by the tow airplane. Fuel and/or oxidant is transferred to the high altitude vehicle from the tow airplane via respective fuel and/or oxidant lines. The high altitude vehicle then separates from the tow airplane and proceeds to high altitude under its own power. The high altitude vehicle weighs less and may have smaller wings than a comparable vehicle configured for self-powered, fully fueled flight from takeoff.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2019
    Inventors: John A. Burgener, Mitchell Burnside Clapp, Daniel Lee DeLong
  • IN-FLIGHT TRANSFER OF REACTANT FROM A TOWING OR CARRYING AIRPLANE TO AN ATTACHED ROCKET OR ROCKETPLANE
    Publication number: 20190168887
    Abstract: A high altitude vehicle is brought to a desired altitude above sea-level prior to the transfer of fuel and/or oxidant from an airplane to the high altitude vehicle. The high altitude vehicle may be towed to the desired altitude by a tow airplane or may reach the desired altitude under its own power. At the desired altitude, the high altitude vehicle is connected to the tow airplane via a tow cable. Alternatively, the high altitude vehicle may be mechanically carried by the tow airplane. Fuel and/or oxidant is transferred to the high altitude vehicle from the tow airplane via respective fuel and/or oxidant lines. The high altitude vehicle then separates from the tow airplane and proceeds to high altitude under its own power. The high altitude vehicle weighs less and may have smaller wings than a comparable vehicle configured for self-powered, fully fueled flight from takeoff.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2018
    Publication date: June 6, 2019
    Inventors: John A. Burgener, Mitchell Burnside Clapp, Daniel Lee DeLong
  • In-flight transfer of reactant from a towing or carrying airplane to an attached rocket or rocketplane
    Patent number: 10106273
    Abstract: A high altitude vehicle is brought to a desired altitude above sea-level prior to the transfer of fuel and/or oxidant from an airplane to the high altitude vehicle. The high altitude vehicle may be towed to the desired altitude by a tow airplane or may reach the desired altitude under its own power. At the desired altitude, the high altitude vehicle is connected to the tow airplane via a tow cable. Alternatively, the high altitude vehicle may be mechanically carried by the tow airplane. Fuel and/or oxidant is transferred to the high altitude vehicle from the tow airplane via respective fuel and/or oxidant lines. The high altitude vehicle then separates from the tow airplane and proceeds to high altitude under its own power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2018
    Inventors: John A. Burgener, Mitchell Burnside Clapp, Daniel Lee DeLong
  • IN-FLIGHT TRANSFER OF REACTANT FROM A TOWING OR CARRYING AIRPLANE TO AN ATTACHED ROCKET OR ROCKETPLANE
    Publication number: 20180265211
    Abstract: A high altitude vehicle is brought to a desired altitude above sea-level prior to the transfer of fuel and/or oxidant from an airplane to the high altitude vehicle. The high altitude vehicle may be towed to the desired altitude by a tow airplane or may reach the desired altitude under its own power. At the desired altitude, the high altitude vehicle is connected to the tow airplane via a tow cable. Alternatively, the high altitude vehicle may be mechanically carried by the tow airplane. Fuel and/or oxidant is transferred to the high altitude vehicle from the tow airplane via respective fuel and/or oxidant lines. The high altitude vehicle then separates from the tow airplane and proceeds to high altitude under its own power.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 24, 2017
    Publication date: September 20, 2018
    Inventors: John A. Burgener, Mitchell Burnside Clapp, Daniel Lee DeLong