Some more interesting spacecraft-related patents

[RainDreamer]

Just another binge search through google patent, and this time I found some actual space stuff that are very interesting. Makes me want to replicate them in KSP.

1. Manned Spacecraft Staged Reentry (published 1966)

https://www.google.com/patents/US3289974

This is a really cool lifting body reentry idea where a sub-sonic aircraft is partially enclosed in a lifting body heat shield structure. On re-entry, astronaut get in the aircraft, have the heatshield structure facing all the re-entry heat, then detach it from the aircraft and fly toward nearest air port. Wired has an article about this and why it was invented.

2. Variable geometry manned orbital vehicle (published 1970)

https://www.google.com/patents/US3534924

Another re-entry vehicle that attempt to overcome the problem of low-speed control in lifting body design. This one has folding wings that will fold out once suitable speed is reached, to improve gliding capacity and help landing. Appropriate propulsion system may be installed as needed, as noted in the patent.

3. Spacecraft for interplanetary/lunar travel (Published 2006)

https://www.google.com/patents/US20060163434

A big spacecraft utilizing an inflatable rotating ring habitat to simulate gravity. I quite like the compact design of this one. I assume it will be assembled in orbit as that part is not explicitly mentioned anywhere in the patent that I noticed.

4. Carrier for space craft (published 2012)

https://www.google.com/patents/US20120318927

More accurately, I would call this a space garage. It is an inflatable module that can house several smaller spacecrafts inside a pressurized, habitable environment to allow astronauts to do maintenance of small spacecrafts without having to do EVA in cumbersome spacesuit. The image shows that it can hold up to 4 Orion capsules (I assume from the look, though it is also suspiciously looking like KSP MK1-2) inside its space.

[Darnok]

I like this carrier... it is going to be one of few first things I will do in 1.0

More threads with interesting patents, pretty please

[Deutherius]

I haven't read the patents, but the first thing that popped in my head when looking at the carrier: "Inflatable... Micrometeorites. Space debris. Ouch."

[RainDreamer]

I haven't read the patents, but the first thing that popped in my head when looking at the carrier: "Inflatable... Micrometeorites. Space debris. Ouch."

It is from Bigelow Aerospace. They has a lot of research on inflatable technologies.

Here is a patent for their orbital debris shield. It is, in my understanding, somewhat like scale armours, with multiple layers slide out as the module expand to provide full coverage.

Here is a patent for their special shear-thickening fluid reinforced fabrics. These fluid when in normal operation will act as normal fluid, but on impact will suddenly thicken and restrain whatever hit it, providing another layer of protection after their outershield layers. Has been used for other things, but Bigelow plans to use it in space.

Edit: I noticed that I wrote it as if they were using the fluid separately as a layer of armor. That is not what they do. They actually treat their armour fabrics like kevlar or nextel ceramic fabrics with the fluid instead. The reaction still happen on the nanoscale level though, strengthening the fabrics while keeping it flexible as opposing to using more layers. Pumping such fluid is a friggin pain as the more pressure you put in, the more difficult it is.

They also have other patent for radiation shielding and thermal management for inflatable modules if anyone is interested. Quite interesting to see the little technologies that didn't get advertised in the media, but so important for development of many things.

Edited April 12, 2015 by RainDreamer

[AngelLestat]

special shear-thickening fluid: why this sound equal to a non newtonian fluid?

[StrandedonEarth]

special shear-thickening fluid: why this sound equal to a non newtonian fluid?

Oobleck Armor!

[RainDreamer]

Well yeah, shear thickening fluid is a form of non-newtonian fluid. The one they used as an example in the patent is a stabilized spherical colloidal silica like Nission Chemical MP4540, which comprises of nanoparticles of silica 450nm in size suspended in polyethylene glycol. This has been used in application of body armor before to great effect. The patent is not about the fluid though, it is about the application of the fluid for the fabrics of their inflatable module, and any fluid that is suitable for the job in space can be used.

Edited April 12, 2015 by RainDreamer

[Deutherius]

While proving itself against bullets, stopping micrometeoroids can be several orders of magnitude harder. I wonder if the technology is really up to par to make a spaceworthy debris shielding.

Other way of dealing with these might be self repairing materials - let the meteoroid go right through, hope it doesn't destroy anything too important (and install redundancies in case it does) and just patch the hole/s.

Or just combine everything we can and hope it's not going to be too heavy to actually get into space

[RainDreamer]

While proving itself against bullets, stopping micrometeoroids can be several orders of magnitude harder. I wonder if the technology is really up to par to make a spaceworthy debris shielding.

Other way of dealing with these might be self repairing materials - let the meteoroid go right through, hope it doesn't destroy anything too important (and install redundancies in case it does) and just patch the hole/s.

Or just combine everything we can and hope it's not going to be too heavy to actually get into space

That is noted in the patent. It is, after all, meant to be used along with other shielding layers in the errant case something did made through the shields. By that point the object is already much slower.

And I don't think having things going though is a good idea at all, especially when it involve human occupants.

[Deutherius]

And I don't think having things going though is a good idea at all, especially when it involve human occupants.

You cannot stop or evade every object that is coming at you. Sooner or later there will be a situation where the hull will be breached, and we best be prepared for it.

But yes, of course, relying solely on self-sealing materials would be asking for trouble - I should have been clearer in my post.

[Sandworm]

#4, the space garage seems the most optimistic/ridiculous imho. Spacecraft are not cars. They are full of all sorts of nasty substances. Fuels, coolants, liquid oxygen... things that are dumped away in service modules before the barebones capsule returns. Moving something like an Orion, with service module attached and after the reaction control rockets have been activated, into a pressurized environment would be extraordinarily dangerous. The astronauts would probably have to wear protective suits not dissimilar to full spacesuits. Look at the precautions necessary just to stand beside a returned x-37b, and that's when its tanks are empty! (http://i.space.com/images/i/000/038/026/original/x37b-space-plane-endurance-record-2.jpg?1395935430)

[RainDreamer]

Yeah, I think it would be better to design more agile spacesuit rather than a module like this for maintenance. Probably why they call it a carrier and mention the possibility it will also do what it's name imply: a carrier for smaller spacecraft to move them safely along with a larger craft.