Chau M Pham

US Patent:

57434921, Apr 28, 1998

Filed:

Aug 4, 1995

Appl. No.:

8/511170

Inventors:

Allan L. Chan - Pleasanton CA
Robert M. Heath - Sunnyvale CA
Steven D. Mettler - Santa Clara CA
Chau N. Pham - Milpitas CA
Douglas B. Pereyda - Los Gatos CA
Robert J. MacDonald - San Jose CA
Kenneth W. Epstein - San Jose CA
David P. Kennon - Saratoga CA

Assignee:

Lockheed Martin Corporation - Bethesda MD

International Classification:

B64G 122
B64F 104

US Classification:

2441182

Abstract:

A launch vehicle payload housing and assembly joint for a launch vehicle, the housing comprising a shroud having first and second shell sections, and a frusto-conical payload adapter mounted in the shroud. The shell sections are connected together to form a housing. A peripherally extending explosive seam and a pair of longitudinally extending explosive seams hold the shell sections together. Each seam comprises a plurality of seam elements which include a pair of brackets attached to opposed ends of those parts of the shell abutting the longitudinally and peripherally extending seams. The brackets are spaced from one another to define a cavity. The cavity accommodates a deformable tube which houses explosive material in the form of an explosive cord. Detonation of the explosive material causes the shell sections to separate from one another. Longitudinally acting thrustor springs and transverse acting assistor springs urge the shell sections apart to pivot about hinges between the shell sections and a base ring.

US Patent:

55292640, Jun 25, 1996

Filed:

Feb 18, 1994

Appl. No.:

8/198818

Inventors:

Ernest R. Bedegrew - Santa Cruz CA
Allan L. Chan - Pleasanton CA
James J. Connors - Santa Clara CA
Donald E. Damon - Danville CA
Kenneth W. Epstein - San Jose CA
Daniel H. Hada - Cupertino CA
Robert M. Heath - Sunnyvale CA
Michael B. Prewitt - San Jose CA
David L. Sutphin - Saratoga CA
Edward W. Szeto - Fremont CA
Howard D. Trudeau - Cupertino CA
Michael J. Vogel - Sunnyvale CA
Michael Wong - Santa Cruz CA
Larry Y. Hsu - Fremont CA
David P. Kennon - Saratoga CA
Robert J. MacDonald - San Jose CA
Steven D. Mettler - Santa Clara CA
Gene S. Ogden - Sunnyvale CA
Douglas B. Pereyda - Los Gatos CA
Chau N. Pham - Milpitas CA

Assignee:

Lockheed Missiles & Space Company, Inc. - Sunnyvale CA

International Classification:

B64G 122
B64F 104

US Classification:

2441182

Abstract:

A launch vehicle system includes at least one primary solid fuel motor, a shroud for housing a payload and an attitude control system. The attitude control system is connected intermediate the primary solid fuel motor and the shroud. It has a circular outer wall and liquid fuel motors for exerting thrust along a longitudinal axis of the rocket system, and for controlling pitch, roll and yaw of the shroud. The attitude control system includes a support structure defining three pairs of fuel tank supporting zones, each zone having laterally extending supporting brackets connected to the outer wall. The attitude control system also includes connecting tubing for connecting outlets of sets of fuel tanks consisting of one, two and three pairs of fuel tanks to the liquid fuel motors.