§
Luxuse
Patent Intelligence
Sign In
← Back to Patent Explorer
US4166598A Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Vehicle enshrouding apparatus

Assignee: United States Department of the Air Force
•
Filing: 1974-05-30
•
Granted: 1979-09-04
•
Expires: 1994-05-30
📄 Original PDF 🌐 Google Patents 🔄 Sync Now

Abstract

Abstract Stowable and inflatable apparatus for enshrouding a vehicle. The apparatus, in its most generic and most basic embodiment, includes an inflatable framework external of which is attached a multilayer superinsulating blanket shroud. The inflatable tubular framework includes a plurality of inflatable tubular-shaped longitudinal members in spaced-apart relationship, and a plurality of inflatable toroidal-shaped members also in spaced-apart relationship. Each of the toroidal-shaped members is positioned essentially perpendicular to, and in contact with, each of the tubular-shaped longitudinal members. The inventive apparatus solves the problems which are inherent in enclosing a large, relatively hot space vehicle to retain the heat therefrom, and in folding (and stowing) and in unfolding an apparatus in a space environment.

Inventors

  • 👤 Clair F. Seifert
  • 👤 Harvey S. Seapy
  • 👤 David E. Dunlap

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-11-09 05:43
CPC Classifications
B; B64; B64G; B64G1/00; B64G1/22; B64G1/52; B64G1/58

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim 83 words
A stowable apparatus for enshrouding a large, relatively hot space vehicle, comprising: a. an inflatable frame which includes: (1) a plurality of inflatable tubular-shaped longitudinal members in spaced-apart relationship; (2) and, a plurality of inflatable toroidal-shaped members in spaced-apart relationship; wherein each of said plurality of inflatable toroidal-shaped members is positioned essentially perpendicular to, and in contact with, each of said plurality of inflatable tubular-shaped longitudinal members; b. and, a multilayer thermal superinsulating blanket shroud external of, and attached to, said inflatable frame.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 83 words
A stowable apparatus for enshrouding a large, relatively hot space vehicle, comprising: a. an inflatable frame which includes: (1) a plurality of inflatable tubular-shaped longitudinal members in spaced-apart relationship; (2) and, a plurality of inflatable toroidal-shaped members in spaced-apart relationship; wherein each of said plurality of inflatable toroidal-shaped members is positioned essentially perpendicular to, and in contact with, each of said plurality of inflatable tubular-shaped longitudinal members; b. and, a multilayer thermal superinsulating blanket shroud external of, and attached to, said inflatable frame.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 41 words
An apparatus, as set forth in claim 1, wherein each of said plurality of inflatable tubular-shaped longitudinal members is made of a plurality of 0.35 mil polyester film sheets bonded to each other and to a reinforcing net of polyester fiber.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 40 words
An apparatus, as set forth in claim 1, wherein each of said plurality of inflatable toroidal-shaped members is made of a plurality of 0.35 mil polyester film sheets bonded to each other and to a reinforcing net of polyester fiber.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 69 words
An apparatus, as set forth in claim 1, wherein said multilayer thermal superinsulating blanket shroud is made of a plurality of laminates, with each said laminate made of a 0.25 mil a polyimide film interposed between and bonded to two 0.18 mil sheets of aluminum foil, and with each said laminate of said plurality of laminates separated from each other by a 0.25 mil a polyester fiber net element.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 27 words
An apparatus, as set forth in claim 4, wherein said multilayer thermal superinsulating blanket shroud includes a plurality of outer layers, with said outer layers being perforated.

References Cited (Backward Citations)

US3220004A Cited
US3405886A Cited

USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 1982-09-03 1983-03-05 1983-09-04 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 1986-09-03 1987-03-05 1987-09-04 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 1990-09-03 1991-03-05 1991-09-04 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

Assigned Categories & Tags

No categories assigned to this patent yet.

Assign Category Tag