Patents by Inventor Paul W. Hoekstra

Paul W. Hoekstra 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).

  • Propellant grain machining device and method
    Patent number: 5615983
    Abstract: An apparatus for cutting a path of propellant grain away from a solid rocket motor, The apparatus includes a telescoping arm connected to a rotatable body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 1, 1997
    Assignee: Thiokol Corporation
    Inventor: Paul W. Hoekstra
  • Propellant grain machining device and method
    Patent number: 5511914
    Abstract: An apparatus for cutting a path of propellant grain away from a solid rocket motor. The apparatus includes a telescoping arm connected to a rotatable body. A cutting tool having a primary and secondary cutter is connected to a distal end of the telescoping arm. The secondary cutter is disposed adjacent the primary cutter and configured to make cuts through the portion of propellant grain along the path such that the grain is cut away from the rocket motor in a plurality of pieces. The telescoping arm includes a plurality of interconnected extendable concentric cylinders configured with a plurality of ball/spring detents each bearing a resistance load for restraining one of the concentric cylinders such that the innermost unextended of said concentric cylinders extends prior to the extension of any other of said unextended concentric cylinders.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 1995
    Date of Patent: April 30, 1996
    Assignee: Thiokol Corporation
    Inventor: Paul W. Hoekstra
  • Propellant grain machining device
    Patent number: 5391025
    Abstract: An apparatus for cutting a path of propellant grain away from a solid rocket motor. The apparatus includes a telescoping arm connected to a rotatable body. A cutting tool having a primary and secondary cutter is connected to a distal end of the telescoping arm. The secondary cutter is disposed adjacent the primary cutter and configured to make cuts through the portion of propellant grain along the path such that the grain is cut away from the rocket motor in a plurality of pieces. The telescoping arm includes a plurality of interconnected extendable concentric cylinders configured with a plurality of ball/spring detents each bearing a resistance load for restraining one of the concentric cylinders such that the innermost unextended of said concentric cylinders extends prior to the extension of any other of said unextended concentric cylinders.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 1992
    Date of Patent: February 21, 1995
    Assignee: Thiokol Corporation
    Inventor: Paul W. Hoekstra