Patents by Inventor William J. Small

William J. Small 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).

  • Orbiter/launch system
    Patent number: 4265416
    Abstract: An orbit vehicle launch system including reusable turbojet propelled booster vehicles releasably connected to a reusable rocket powered orbit vehicle. The coupled orbiter-booster combination takes off horizontally and ascends to staging altitude and speed under booster power with both orbiter and booster wings providing lift. After staging, the booster vehicles fly back to earth for horizontal landing and the orbiter vehicle continues ascending to orbit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 1978
    Date of Patent: May 5, 1981
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration
    Inventors: Liam R. Jackson, John P. Weidner, William J. Small, James A. Martin