The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Nov. 19, 2002
Filed:
Oct. 20, 2000
Robert T. Bigelow, Las Vegas, NV (US);
Russell J. Common, Henderson, NV (US);
John Mezits, Las Vegas, NV (US);
David A. Cavaleri, Henderson, NV (US);
Bigelow Aerospace Division, LLC, Las Vegas, NV (US);
Abstract
The present invention provides a thermal, and if desired, a radiation barrier to protect the exterior surface of a spacecraft. In particular, the present invention protects the polymeric materials of construction utilized in inflatable and expandable spacecraft from the deleterious effects of both thermal and radiation aging. The protective barrier is formed from a tube or tubes through which a fluid circulates. The tube segment substantially enclose the spacecraft, and in particular, the critical layers that are desired to be protected. This protective barrier provides a thermal heat sink, temperature equalization, and a waste heat rejection system, that can moderate the temperature extremes encountered by spacecraft. In addition, dependent on the fluid selected, substantial radiation shielding can be provided that can protect the entire spacecraft.