Raytheon Company

Vector Launch Inc.

Emerald James Adair

Gray E Fowler

William Owens

Richard J Wright

Gregory E Longerich

David C Robillard

Perry H Frahm

Michael M Liggett

Judith K Clark

Frank Wayne Harris

Dong Zhang

Robert A Gray

Brian James Riskas

Robert Duane Hill

Kerry Michael Kugler

Richard William Dalgarno

Mark Edward Bishop

Robert Stewart Skillen

Andrew F Varecka

Michael M Liggeit

A releasable ball lock hinge is disclosed. The releasable ball lock hinge includes a first body operable with a hinge ball and a release ball. Each ball can be movable within respective openings of the first body. The releasable ball lock hinge also includes a second body configured to rotatably interface and removably couple with the first body. The hinge ball releasably engages the second body. The second body has a release recess operable with the release ball to disengage the hinge ball and alternately couple and release the first body and the second body based on a relative position between the first body and the second body.

Releasable ball lock hinge

Various enhanced rocket fairings and associated mechanisms are discussed herein for split fairings with two fairing halves. In some implementations, electrically-actuated base clamps are included to deploy the rocket fairing by applying a spring force between a corresponding fairing half and a payload adapter, which directs movement of the fairing halves upwards and away from the payload adapter until release of the fairing halves. In other implementations, electrically-actuated fairing mechanisms are included to hold together a first fairing half and a second fairing half, and separate the first fairing half from the second fairing half using a spring force. In further implementations, one fairing half includes a tab feature configured to overlap a second fairing half. The tab feature can deform inward under a pressure differential between an exterior and a payload envelope to reduce a gap between the two fairing halves.

Enhanced fairing mechanisms for launch systems

An optical imaging system and method in which a second channel is used to provide alignment data for achieving image frame stacking of image data in a first channel. In one example, image stacking of infrared images is achieved by obtaining and analyzing corresponding visible images to provide alignment data that is then used to align and stack the infrared images.

Method and apparatus for image stacking

A variable length light shield is disclosed for an electro-optical sensor within a nose cone. The light shield includes a base, a telescopic shade supported by the base, and a ring rotatably supported about the base. The light shield also includes a guide tube disposed proximate the ring with an end extending away from the ring about a side of the telescopic shade. The light shield further includes an extension spring supported by the guide tube with an end coupled to the telescopic shade. Additionally, the light shield includes a cable extending through the guide tube and the extension spring, with one end of the cable coupled to the ring and another end of the cable coupled to the telescopic shade. The extension spring is configured to exert a force on the telescopic shade to extend the telescopic shade. Rotation of the ring causes retraction of the telescopic shade.

Variable length light shield for an electro-optical sensor within a nose cone

A system and method for forming a conductive pattern. In the illustrative embodiment, the system includes an applicator for applying a conductive substance onto a surface of a structure and a mechanism for precisely moving the applicator such that the conductive substance is applied in a desired pattern. In an illustrative embodiment, the mechanism includes a robotic arm driven by commands from a computer, and the conductive pattern is designed to manipulate the electromagnetic properties of the structure. The system can be used to apply a conductive pattern directly onto an electromagnetic component, such as a radome, IR dome, multi-mode dome, or flat plate EM window, or to apply a conductive pattern onto a component mold during the component fabrication process. In the latter case, the conductive pattern is an integrated part of the component.

System for forming a frequency selective pattern

According to one embodiment of the present invention a method of creating a composite with an object having a central axis is provided which comprises wrapping a first fabric layer around the object in one of a clockwise or a counterclockwise direction around the central axis of the object. A second fabric layer is wrapped over the first fabric layer. The second fabric layer is wrapped around the object in the other of the clockwise or the counterclockwise direction around the central axis. The object is placed in a mold and resin is injected into the mold to form the composite.

Method and apparatus for preform consistency

The disclosed compositions and methods for producing composite materials that are suitably adapted for use in elevated temperature environments generally include the use of oxyarylbisorthodinitrile matrix resins in conjunction with aromatic amines to produce an improved phthalonitrile-based composite. Various features and specifications may be controlled, adapted or otherwise optionally modified to improve the temperature-rated performance of the disclosed composite materials. Exemplary embodiments of the present invention generally provide composite materials that offer improved strength at temperatures in excess of 600&#xb0; F.

Phthalonitrile composites

Growing community of inventors

Vail, AZ, United States of America

Emerald James Adair