Patents by Inventor Patrick A. Swartzell

Patrick A. Swartzell 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: 10207827
    Abstract: A habitation module that provides an artificial gravity environment. In one embodiment, the habitation module includes a rotating structure that rotates about an axis in relation to a stationary structure. The rotating structure includes a first gravity chamber that projects radially from the rotating structure, and a second gravity chamber that projects radially from the rotating structure in an opposite direction than the first gravity chamber. The first gravity chamber and the second gravity chamber are each comprised of a plurality of ring members that form side walls of the first gravity chamber and the second gravity chamber. The ring members are concentric so that the side walls of the first gravity chamber and the second gravity chamber radially extend and radially contract in upon themselves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2019
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Raju Dharmaraj, Thomas Hoffman, Craig Stanton, Patrick A. Swartzell
  • Publication number: 20180370661
    Abstract: A habitation module that provides an artificial gravity environment. In one embodiment, the habitation module includes a rotating structure that rotates about an axis in relation to a stationary structure. The rotating structure includes a first gravity chamber that projects radially from the rotating structure, and a second gravity chamber that projects radially from the rotating structure in an opposite direction than the first gravity chamber. The first gravity chamber and the second gravity chamber are each comprised of a plurality of ring members that form side walls of the first gravity chamber and the second gravity chamber. The ring members are concentric so that the side walls of the first gravity chamber and the second gravity chamber radially extend and radially contract in upon themselves.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 26, 2017
    Publication date: December 27, 2018
    Inventors: Raju Dharmaraj, Thomas Hoffman, Craig Stanton, Patrick A. Swartzell
  • Patent number: 10077121
    Abstract: A habitation module with a gravity chamber that provides an artificial gravity environment. In one embodiment, the gravity chamber is annular and includes an outer cylindrical wall, an inner cylindrical structure, and opposing side walls that connect the outer cylindrical wall and the inner cylindrical structure. The gravity chamber attaches to a cylindrical core member of the habitation module with support bearings. The support bearing includes an inner race attached to the cylindrical core member, and an outer race attached to the gravity chamber. A drive mechanism drives the outer race of the support bearing to rotate the gravity chamber about an axis to simulate a gravitational force within the gravity chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2018
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Raju Dharmaraj, James Michael Engle, Patrick A. Swartzell, Karl David Heiman, Travis Andrew Moseman
  • Patent number: 9994338
    Abstract: A habitation module with a gravity chamber that provides an artificial gravity environment. In one embodiment, the gravity chamber is annular and includes an outer cylindrical wall, an inner cylindrical structure, and opposing side walls that connect the outer cylindrical wall and the inner cylindrical structure. The gravity chamber attaches to an outer surface of a hull of the habitation module with support bearings. The support bearing includes an inner race attached to the outer surface of the hull, and an outer race attached to the gravity chamber. A drive mechanism drives the outer race of the support bearing to rotate the gravity chamber about an axis to simulate a gravitational force within the gravity chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Raju Dharmaraj, Patrick A. Swartzell, Karl David Heiman, Darby Grant Cooper, James Michael Engle
  • Patent number: 9908644
    Abstract: A habitation module with a gravity chamber that provides an artificial gravity environment. In one embodiment, the gravity chamber includes an outer cylindrical wall and opposing side walls. The gravity chamber attaches to a hull of the habitation module with support bearings. The support bearing includes an outer race attached to an inner surface of the hull, and an inner race attached to the gravity chamber. A drive mechanism drives the inner race of the support bearing to rotate the gravity chamber about an axis to simulate a gravitational force within the gravity chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2018
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Raju Dharmaraj, Patrick A. Swartzell, James Michael Engle, Karl David Heiman
  • Patent number: 9776743
    Abstract: A habitation module with a gravity chamber that provides an artificial gravity environment. In one embodiment, the gravity chamber includes an inner cylindrical structure, outer wall segments that are attachable to one another to form an outer cylindrical wall, and opposing side walls having support members that are extendable. The gravity chamber has a first diameter when the support members are contracted, and has a larger second diameter when the support members are extended. The gravity chamber connects to the habitation module with rotating attachment members so that the gravity chamber rotates about an axis. The habitation module also includes an inflatable shell that encompasses the gravity chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Raju Dharmaraj, Patrick A. Swartzell, James Michael Engle, Thomas L. Hoffman, Travis Andrew Moseman, Karl David Heiman
  • Publication number: 20170197736
    Abstract: A habitation module with a gravity chamber that provides an artificial gravity environment. In one embodiment, the gravity chamber is annular and includes an outer cylindrical wall, an inner cylindrical structure, and opposing side walls that connect the outer cylindrical wall and the inner cylindrical structure. The gravity chamber attaches to a cylindrical core member of the habitation module with support bearings. The support bearing includes an inner race attached to the cylindrical core member, and an outer race attached to the gravity chamber. A drive mechanism drives the outer race of the support bearing to rotate the gravity chamber about an axis to simulate a gravitational force within the gravity chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 11, 2016
    Publication date: July 13, 2017
    Inventors: Raju Dharmaraj, James Michael Engle, Patrick A. Swartzell, Karl David Heiman, Travis Andrew Moseman
  • Publication number: 20170197737
    Abstract: A habitation module with a gravity chamber that provides an artificial gravity environment. In one embodiment, the gravity chamber includes an outer cylindrical wall and opposing side walls. The gravity chamber attaches to a hull of the habitation module with support bearings. The support bearing includes an outer race attached to an inner surface of the hull, and an inner race attached to the gravity chamber. A drive mechanism drives the inner race of the support bearing to rotate the gravity chamber about an axis to simulate a gravitational force within the gravity chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 11, 2016
    Publication date: July 13, 2017
    Inventors: Raju Dharmaraj, Patrick A. Swartzell, James Michael Engle, Karl David Heiman
  • Publication number: 20170197735
    Abstract: A habitation module with a gravity chamber that provides an artificial gravity environment. In one embodiment, the gravity chamber includes an inner cylindrical structure, outer wall segments that are attachable to one another to form an outer cylindrical wall, and opposing side walls having support members that are extendable. The gravity chamber has a first diameter when the support members are contracted, and has a larger second diameter when the support members are extended. The gravity chamber connects to the habitation module with rotating attachment members so that the gravity chamber rotates about an axis. The habitation module also includes an inflatable shell that encompasses the gravity chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 11, 2016
    Publication date: July 13, 2017
    Inventors: Raju Dharmaraj, Patrick A. Swartzell, James Michael Engle, Thomas L. Hoffman, Travis Andrew Moseman, Karl David Heiman
  • Publication number: 20170197738
    Abstract: A habitation module with a gravity chamber that provides an artificial gravity environment. In one embodiment, the gravity chamber is annular and includes an outer cylindrical wall, an inner cylindrical structure, and opposing side walls that connect the outer cylindrical wall and the inner cylindrical structure. The gravity chamber attaches to an outer surface of a hull of the habitation module with support bearings. The support bearing includes an inner race attached to the outer surface of the hull, and an outer race attached to the gravity chamber. A drive mechanism drives the outer race of the support bearing to rotate the gravity chamber about an axis to simulate a gravitational force within the gravity chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 11, 2016
    Publication date: July 13, 2017
    Inventors: Raju Dharmaraj, Patrick A. Swartzell, Karl David Heiman, Darby Grant Cooper, James Michael Engle