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  • Launch vehicles with ring-shaped external elements, and associated systems and methods
    Patent number: 9487308
    Abstract: Launch vehicles with ring-shaped external elements, and associated systems and methods. A representative aerospace system includes a launch vehicle having a first end and a second end generally opposite the first end, with the launch vehicle being elongated along a vehicle axis extending between the first and second ends, and having an external, outwardly facing surface. The system can further include an annular element carried by the launch vehicle, the annular element having an external, inwardly-facing surface radially spaced apart from, and extending at least partially circumferentially around, the vehicle axis. The annular element can have a first edge surface facing a first direction along the vehicle axis, and a second edge surface facing a second direction along the vehicle axis, the second direction being opposite the first direction. A propulsion system can be carried by the launch vehicle, and can have at least one nozzle positioned toward the first end of the vehicle to launch the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2016
    Assignee: Blue Origin, LLC
    Inventors: Mark Featherstone, John Michael Sanders, Roger E. Ramsey, Eric David Wetzel
  • Launch vehicles with ring-shaped external elements, and associated systems and methods
    Patent number: 10266282
    Abstract: Launch vehicles with ring-shaped external elements, and associated systems and methods. An aerospace system in accordance with a particular embodiment includes a launch vehicle having a first end and a second end generally opposite the first end, with the launch vehicle being elongated along a vehicle axis extending between the first and second ends, and having an external, outwardly facing surface. The system can further include an annular element carried by the launch vehicle, the annular element having an external, inwardly-facing surface radially spaced apart from, and extending at least partially circumferentially around, the vehicle axis. The annular element can have a first edge surface facing a first direction along the vehicle axis, and a second edge surface facing a second direction along the vehicle axis, the second direction being opposite the first direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2019
    Assignee: Blue Origin, LLC
    Inventors: Mark Featherstone, John Michael Sanders, Roger E. Ramsey, Eric David Wetzel
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