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US 12,415,620 B2Granted
System and method for dimpled spherical storage units
OwnerThomas F. Yostinventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A dimpled spherical storage unit is described in the form of a cargo ball. The cargo ball includes a spherical exterior surface and a plurality of dimples in a pattern on the exterior surface. At least a first cover is configured to extend outward from the center of the cargo ball and at least a first thruster is configured to be deployed from the cargo ball.
Claims11
A cargo ball comprising:
- a single spherical structure with a spherical exterior surface that spins in a plurality of directions;
- a plurality of dimples in a pattern on substantially all of the spherical exterior surface;
- at least a first curved cover shaped to lay flush and/or seamless with the spherical exterior surface in an undeployed state and configured to open in a deployed state;
- and
- at least a first thruster inside the single spherical structure and under the first curved cover in the undeployed state, wherein the at least first thruster is configured to be deployed through the at least first curved cover to an outside position from the cargo ball in the deployed state.
2 more elements
A method comprising:
- launching a cargo ball toward outer space with the cargo ball spinning, wherein the cargo ball has a spherical structure having a spherical exterior surface and a plurality of dimples in a pattern on the exterior surface;
- during launch, positioning at least one thruster in an undeployed state inside the single spherical structure under a curved cover, wherein the curved cover is shaped to lay flush and/or seamless with the spherical exterior surface of the cargo ball;
- after launching the cargo ball, deploying the thruster by opening the curved cover and extending the thruster through the curved cover to an external position outside of the spherical exterior surface of the cargo ball;
- operating the thruster to stop the cargo ball spinning and to maneuver the cargo ball to an intended destination;
- and
- returning the thruster to an undeployed state by retracting the thruster inside the single spherical structure of the cargo ball and closing the curved cover to lay flush and/or seamless with the spherical exterior surface.
3 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.