Jeanne Lee Crews

US Patent:

6899009, May 31, 2005

Filed:

Jun 26, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/892355

Inventors:

Eric L. Christiansen - Houston TX, US
Jeanne L. Crews - Santa Fe TX, US

Assignee:

The United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration - Washington DC

International Classification:

F41H005/02

US Classification:

89 3602

Abstract:

Flexible multi-shock shield system and method are disclosed for defending against hypervelocity particles. The flexible multi-shock shield system and method may include a number of flexible bumpers or shield layers spaced apart by one or more resilient support layers, all of which may be encapsulated in a protective cover. Fasteners associated with the protective cover allow the flexible multi-shock shield to be secured to the surface of a structure to be protected.

US Patent:

50673882, Nov 26, 1991

Filed:

Apr 30, 1990

Appl. No.:

7/516573

Inventors:

Jeanne L. Crews - Arcadia TX
Burton G. Cour-Palais - Houston TX

Assignee:

The United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the
National Aeronautics and Space Administration - Washington DC

International Classification:

F41H 504

US Classification:

89 3602

Abstract:

A hypervelocity impact shield 10 and method for protecting a wall structure, such as a spacecraft wall 12, from impact with particles of debris having densities of about 2. 7 g/cm. sup. 3 and impact velocities up to 16 km/s. The shield comprises a stack of ultra thin sheets 11 of impactor disrupting material supported and arranged by support means 13 in spaced relationship to one another and mounted to cover the wall 12 in a position for intercepting the particles. The sheets 11 are of a number and spacing such that are impacting particle 15 and the resulting particulates of the impacting particle and sheet material are successively impact-shocked to a thermal state of total melt and/or vaporization to a degree as precludes perforation of the wall. The ratio of individual sheet thickness to the theoretical diameter of particles of debris which may be of spherical form is in the range of 0. 03 to 0. 05. The spacing between adjacent sheets is such that the debris cloud plume of liquid and vapor resulting from an impacting particle penetrating a sheet does not puncture the next adjacent sheet prior to the arrival thereat of fragment particulates of sheet material and the debris particle produced by a previous impact.

US Patent:

56103638, Mar 11, 1997

Filed:

Feb 15, 1995

Appl. No.:

8/390455

Inventors:

Jeanne L. Crews - Arcadia TX
Eric L. Christiansen - Houston TX
Joel E. Williamsen - Huntsville AL
Jennifer R. Robinson - Huntsville AL
Angela M. Nolen - Blountsville AL

Assignee:

The United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the
National Aeronautics and Space Administration - Washington DC

International Classification:

F41H 504

US Classification:

89 3602

Abstract:

A hypervelocity impact (HVI) Whipple Shield and a method for shielding a wall from penetration by high velocity particle impacts where the Whipple Shield is comprised of spaced apart inner and outer metal sheets or walls with an intermediate cloth barrier arrangement comprised of ceramic cloth and high strength cloth which are interrelated by ballistic formulae.