Patents by Inventor Richard Lee Jetley

Richard Lee Jetley 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).

  • Solar thermal rocket
    Patent number: 6574951
    Abstract: A modular solar thermal rocket that receives and absorbs solar energy and then acts as a heat exchanger to provide propulsive thrust. Thermal energy storage modules receive and store solar energy via thermal energy storage elements provided in each module. The solar energy is focused into a cavity defined by the modules by a solar energy secondary concentrator. A preheater is positioned adjacent the solar energy secondary concentrator and is in fluid communication with a propellant supply and one end of the thermal energy storage modules. A propulsion nozzle is in fluid communication with the opposite end of the thermal energy storage modules. Stored propellant is directed through the preheater and the thermal energy storage modules where it is heated to a high temperature. The propellant is then directed to the propulsion nozzle where it is exhausted into space to provide propulsive thrust.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2003
    Inventors: Barry Gene Miller, Richard Vail DeMars, Richard Lee Jetley
  • Solar thermal rocket
    Publication number: 20020139107
    Abstract: A modular solar thermal rocket that receives and absorbs solar energy and then acts as a heat exchanger to provide propulsive thrust. Thermal energy storage modules receive and store solar energy via thermal energy storage elements provided in each module. The solar energy is focused into a cavity defined by the modules by a solar energy secondary concentrator. A preheater is positioned adjacent the solar energy secondary concentrator and is in fluid communication with a propellant supply and one end of the thermal energy storage modules. A propulsion nozzle is in fluid communication with the opposite end of the thermal energy storage modules. Stored propellant is directed through the preheater and the thermal energy storage modules where it is heated to a high temperature. The propellant is then directed to the propulsion nozzle where it is exhausted into space to provide propulsive thrust.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 28, 2002
    Publication date: October 3, 2002
    Inventors: Barry Gene Miller, Richard Vail DeMars, Richard Lee Jetley
  • Solar thermal rocket
    Patent number: 6412274
    Abstract: A modular solar thermal rocket that receives and absorbs solar energy and then acts as a heat exchanger to provide propulsive thrust. Thermal energy storage modules receive and store solar energy via thermal energy storage elements provided in each module. The solar energy is focused into a cavity defined by the modules by a solar energy secondary concentrator. A preheater is positioned adjacent the solar energy secondary concentrator and is in fluid communication with a propellant supply and one end of the thermal energy storage modules. A propulsion nozzle is in fluid communication with the opposite end of the thermal energy storage modules. Stored propellant is directed through the preheater and the thermal energy storage modules where it is heated to a high temperature. The propellant is then directed to the propulsion nozzle where it is exhausted into space to provide propulsive thrust.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2002
    Assignee: BWX Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Barry Gene Miller, Richard Vail DeMars, Richard Lee Jetley