Patents by Inventor Zachary S. Hopkins

Zachary S. Hopkins 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: 10306984
    Abstract: Provided are toroidal support structures and assemblies comprising these structures. A toroidal support structure comprises one or more side panels forming a tubular ring and one or more floor panels forming a planar ring. These rings define the toroidal shape of the structure. The structure also comprises multiple isolating linear support components connected to a top edge of the tubular ring. During installation of the structure, the isolating linear support components are attached to a mounting base for supporting the structure relative to the base, while providing thermal isolation to the rings and preventing their mechanical distortion. As such, a toroidal support structure can be attached to various types of mounting bases, such as a cryogenic tank of a spacecraft. Both rings provide supporting and mounting surfaces for equipment, cables, and pipes, while the toroidal opening allows external components to protrude through the support structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2019
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Rodney H. Jones, Zachary S. Hopkins, Murray S. Edmondson, James B. Weathers, Shawn E. Mills
  • Publication number: 20180055227
    Abstract: Provided are toroidal support structures and assemblies comprising these structures. A toroidal support structure comprises one or more side panels forming a tubular ring and one or more floor panels forming a planar ring. These rings define the toroidal shape of the structure. The structure also comprises multiple isolating linear support components connected to a top edge of the tubular ring. During installation of the structure, the isolating linear support components are attached to a mounting base for supporting the structure relative to the base, while providing thermal isolation to the rings and preventing their mechanical distortion. As such, a toroidal support structure can be attached to various types of mounting bases, such as a cryogenic tank of a spacecraft. Both rings provide supporting and mounting surfaces for equipment, cables, and pipes, while the toroidal opening allows external components to protrude through the support structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2016
    Publication date: March 1, 2018
    Applicant: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Rodney H. Jones, Zachary S. Hopkins, Murray S. Edmondson, James B. Weathers, Shawn E. Mills