Brian K Christensen

US Patent:

20210340933, Nov 4, 2021

Filed:

May 25, 2021

Appl. No.:

17/330040

Inventors:

- Falls Church VA, US
Brian Christensen - Willard UT, US
David R. Nelson - Logan UT, US
Braden Day - Nibley UT, US

International Classification:

F02K 9/34
B64G 1/40
F02K 9/97

Abstract:

A hybrid metal composite (HMC) structure comprises a first tier comprising a first fiber composite material structure, a second tier longitudinally adjacent the first tier and comprising a first metallic structure and a second fiber composite material structure laterally adjacent the first metallic structure, a third tier longitudinally adjacent the second tier and comprising a third fiber composite material structure, and a fourth tier longitudinally adjacent the third tier and comprising a second metallic structure and a fourth fiber composite material structure laterally adjacent the second metallic structure. At least one lateral end of the second metallic structure is laterally offset from at least one lateral end of the first metallic structure most proximate thereto. Methods of forming an HMC structure, and related rocket motors and multi-stage rocket motor assemblies are also disclosed.

US Patent:

20210285404, Sep 16, 2021

Filed:

Mar 10, 2021

Appl. No.:

17/197994

Inventors:

- Plymouth MN, US
Brian Christensen - Willard UT, US
David R. Nelson - Logan, US

International Classification:

F02K 9/34
F02K 9/97
B64G 1/40

Abstract:

A multi-component structure includes a first hybrid metal composite structure, a second hybrid metal composite structure, and a joint structure. The first and second hybrid metal composite structures include layers, each layer comprising a fiber composite material structure including a fiber material dispersed within a matrix material and at least one metal ply located between layers of the layers. The joint structure extends between and connects the first hybrid metal composite structure and the second hybrid metal composite structure. Additionally, the joint structure exerts a clamping force on the first and second hybrid metal composite structures and to reduce gaps between the layers, between the layers and the at least one metal ply, and between the joint structure and the first and second hybrid metal composite structures to less than half a thickness of the at least one metal ply.

US Patent:

20200018260, Jan 16, 2020

Filed:

Jul 13, 2018

Appl. No.:

16/035020

Inventors:

- Plymouth MN, US
Brian Christensen - Willard UT, US
David R. Nelson - Logan UT, US

International Classification:

F02K 9/34
B64G 1/40
F02K 9/97

Abstract:

A multi-component structure includes a first hybrid metal composite structure, a second hybrid metal composite structure, and a joint structure. The first and second hybrid metal composite structures include layers, each layer comprising a fiber composite material structure including a fiber material dispersed within a matrix material and at least one metal ply located between layers of the layers. The joint structure extends between and connects the first hybrid metal composite structure and the second hybrid metal composite structure. Additionally, the joint structure exerts a clamping force on the first and second hybrid metal composite structures and to reduce gaps between the layers, between the layers and the at least one metal ply, and between the joint structure and the first and second hybrid metal composite structures to less than half a thickness of the at least one metal ply.

US Patent:

20200018449, Jan 16, 2020

Filed:

Dec 21, 2018

Appl. No.:

16/230373

Inventors:

- Draper UT, US
Brian Christensen - Draper UT, US

International Classification:

F21L 4/00
B29C 45/14
B29C 45/26

Abstract:

A flashlight can include a flashlight shaft, a grip overmolded on the flashlight shaft, and a light element connected to the flashlight shaft. The flashlight shaft can have a circumferential grip recess bounded by two raised portions. The grip recess can have a surface lower than the two raised portions around a circumference of the shaft. The shaft can be integrally formed as a single piece. The grip can be overmolded into the grip recess, such that the grip covers the surface of the grip recess and is bounded by the two raised portions. The grip can be formed of a material that is insufficiently flexible to pass over the two raised portions without damage.

US Patent:

20180179990, Jun 28, 2018

Filed:

Dec 27, 2016

Appl. No.:

15/391016

Inventors:

- Plymouth MN, US
Brian Christensen - Willard UT, US
David R. Nelson - Logan UT, US
Braden Day - Nibley UT, US

International Classification:

F02K 9/34
B64G 1/40
F02K 9/97

Abstract:

A hybrid metal composite (HMC) structure comprises a first tier comprising a first fiber composite material structure, a second tier longitudinally adjacent the first tier and comprising a first metallic structure and a second fiber composite material structure laterally adjacent the first metallic structure, a third tier longitudinally adjacent the second tier and comprising a third fiber composite material structure, and a fourth tier longitudinally adjacent the third tier and comprising a second metallic structure and a fourth fiber composite material structure laterally adjacent the second metallic structure. At least one lateral end of the second metallic structure is laterally offset from at least one lateral end of the first metallic structure most proximate thereto. Methods of forming an HMC structure, and related rocket motors and multi-stage rocket motor assemblies are also disclosed.

US Patent:

20180056632, Mar 1, 2018

Filed:

Aug 29, 2016

Appl. No.:

15/250536

Inventors:

- Plymouth MN, US
Braden Day - Nibley UT, US
Brian Christensen - Willard UT, US
David R. Nelson - Logan UT, US
Thomas Loveless - Logan UT, US
Elizabeth Bonderson - Pleasant View UT, US

International Classification:

B32B 15/14
B32B 37/10
B32B 3/26
F02K 9/97
F02K 9/76

Abstract:

A hybrid metal composite (HMC) structure comprises tiers comprising fiber composite material structures, and additional tiers longitudinally adjacent one or more of the tiers and comprising perforated metallic structures and additional fiber composite material structures laterally adjacent the perforated metallic structures. Methods of forming an HMC structure, and related rocket motors and multi-stage rocket motor assemblies are also disclosed.

US Patent:

20170098804, Apr 6, 2017

Filed:

Oct 2, 2015

Appl. No.:

14/874167

Inventors:

- Draper UT, US
Brian Christensen - Draper UT, US

International Classification:

H01M 2/10
H01M 2/20

Abstract:

A battery compartment can include a primary battery slot, at least one optional intermediate battery slot, a terminal battery slot, and a bypass switch. More specifically, the primary battery slot can retain a first battery and can have primary positive and negative leads oriented to contact corresponding positive and negative terminals of the first battery. The optional intermediate battery slot can retain a second battery and can have intermediate positive and negative leads oriented to contact positive and negative terminals of the second battery. The terminal battery slot can retain a third battery and can have terminal positive and negative leads oriented to contact positive and negative terminals of the third battery. The battery slots can be connected in series with the intermediate battery slot oriented between the primary and terminal slots. At least one bypass switch can be coupled to one or both of the leads of at least one of the battery slots. The switch can also be adapted to create an electrical path to a subsequent battery slot when the battery slot corresponding to the switch is empty.