Patents by Inventor Richard William Aston

Richard William Aston 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: 10494123
    Abstract: Systems and methods for interconnecting dual manifested spacecraft for launch by a launch vehicle are disclosed. Different motive forces are utilized to couple a first spacecraft to a second spacecraft and to restrict demating of the second spacecraft from the first spacecraft. Some systems and methods utilize pneumatic pressure to permit mating of a first spacecraft to a second spacecraft and utilize spring force to restrict demating of the second spacecraft from the first spacecraft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2019
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Richard William Aston, Michael J. Langmack
  • Publication number: 20170369193
    Abstract: Systems and methods for interconnecting dual manifested spacecraft for launch by a launch vehicle are disclosed. Different motive forces are utilized to couple a first spacecraft to a second spacecraft and to restrict demating of the second spacecraft from the first spacecraft. Some systems and methods utilize pneumatic pressure to permit mating of a first spacecraft to a second spacecraft and utilize spring force to restrict demating of the second spacecraft from the first spacecraft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 16, 2017
    Publication date: December 28, 2017
    Inventors: Richard William Aston, Michael J. Langmack
  • Patent number: 9809329
    Abstract: Systems and methods for interconnecting dual manifested spacecraft for launch by a launch vehicle are disclosed. Different motive forces are utilized to couple a first spacecraft to a second spacecraft and to restrict demating of the second spacecraft from the first spacecraft. Some systems and methods utilize pneumatic pressure to permit mating of a first spacecraft to a second spacecraft and utilize spring force to restrict demating of the second spacecraft from the first spacecraft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2017
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Richard William Aston, Michael J. Langmack
  • Publication number: 20160282067
    Abstract: Disclosed is a high thermal conductivity composite baseplate (“HTCCB”) for use with an electronics package on a vehicle. The HTCCB may include a first boron and carbon fiber layer and a second boron and carbon fiber layer. Additionally, the HTCCB may also include a carbon nanotube (“CNT”) material bonding the first boron and carbon fiber layer to the second boron and carbon fiber layer and a plurality of CNTs within the CNT material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 23, 2015
    Publication date: September 29, 2016
    Inventors: RICHARD WILLIAM ASTON, ANNA MARIA TOMZYNSKA
  • Publication number: 20160286692
    Abstract: Disclosed is a thermal conductive joint between a face-sheet and a heat-pipe on a radiator panel. The thermal conductive joint includes an adhesive layer attached between the face-sheet and the heat-pipe and a plurality of carbon nanotubes (“CNTs”) within the adhesive layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 23, 2015
    Publication date: September 29, 2016
    Inventors: RICHARD WILLIAM ASTON, ANNA MARIA TOMZYNSKA
  • Patent number: 9403606
    Abstract: Spacecraft, radiator panels for spacecraft, kits for radiator panels, inserts associated with radiator panels, heat pipes associated with radiator panels, external structural reinforcement members associated with radiator panels, and methods of assembling radiator panels are disclosed herein. Some radiator panels include at least one insert that is positioned adjacent to a heat pipe between two spaced-apart face-sheets, with the insert being configured to secure a package to the inside face-sheet opposite of the heat pipe. Some radiator panels include at least one external structural reinforcement member that extends across an external side of the radiator panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2016
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Richard William Aston, Michael J. Langmack
  • Patent number: 9238513
    Abstract: Spacecraft, radiator panels for spacecraft, kits for radiator panels, inserts associated with radiator panels, heat pipes associated with radiator panels, and methods of assembling radiator panels are disclosed herein. Radiator panels according to the present disclosure include at least one insert that is positioned adjacent to a heat pipe between two spaced-apart face-sheets, with the insert being configured to secure a package to the inside face-sheet opposite of the heat pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2016
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventor: Richard William Aston
  • Publication number: 20140319284
    Abstract: Systems and methods for interconnecting dual manifested spacecraft for launch by a launch vehicle are disclosed. Different motive forces are utilized to couple a first spacecraft to a second spacecraft and to restrict demating of the second spacecraft from the first spacecraft. Some systems and methods utilize pneumatic pressure to permit mating of a first spacecraft to a second spacecraft and utilize spring force to restrict demating of the second spacecraft from the first spacecraft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 14, 2014
    Publication date: October 30, 2014
    Applicant: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Richard William Aston, Michael J. Langmack
  • Patent number: 8807485
    Abstract: Systems and methods for interconnecting dual manifested spacecraft for launch by a launch vehicle are disclosed. Different motive forces are utilized to couple a first spacecraft to a second spacecraft and to restrict demating of the second spacecraft from the first spacecraft. Some systems and methods utilize pneumatic pressure to permit mating of a first spacecraft to a second spacecraft and utilize spring force to restrict demating of the second spacecraft from the first spacecraft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Richard William Aston, Michael J. Langmack
  • Publication number: 20130327895
    Abstract: Systems and methods for interconnecting dual manifested spacecraft for launch by a launch vehicle are disclosed. Different motive forces are utilized to couple a first spacecraft to a second spacecraft and to restrict demating of the second spacecraft from the first spacecraft. Some systems and methods utilize pneumatic pressure to permit mating of a first spacecraft to a second spacecraft and utilize spring force to restrict demating of the second spacecraft from the first spacecraft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 7, 2012
    Publication date: December 12, 2013
    Applicant: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Richard William Aston, Michael J. Langmack
  • Publication number: 20130233516
    Abstract: Spacecraft, radiator panels for spacecraft, kits for radiator panels, inserts associated with radiator panels, heat pipes associated with radiator panels, external structural reinforcement members associated with radiator panels, and methods of assembling radiator panels are disclosed herein. Some radiator panels include at least one insert that is positioned adjacent to a heat pipe between two spaced-apart face-sheets, with the insert being configured to secure a package to the inside face-sheet opposite of the heat pipe. Some radiator panels include at least one external structural reinforcement member that extends across an external side of the radiator panel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 7, 2012
    Publication date: September 12, 2013
    Applicant: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Richard William Aston, Michael J. Langmack
  • Publication number: 20130233515
    Abstract: Spacecraft, radiator panels for spacecraft, kits for radiator panels, inserts associated with radiator panels, heat pipes associated with radiator panels, and methods of assembling radiator panels are disclosed herein. Radiator panels according to the present disclosure include at least one insert that is positioned adjacent to a heat pipe between two spaced-apart face-sheets, with the insert being configured to secure a package to the inside face-sheet opposite of the heat pipe.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 6, 2012
    Publication date: September 12, 2013
    Applicant: The Boeing Company
    Inventor: Richard William Aston