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(12) Patent Application Publication (10) Pub. No.: US 2010/0096491 A1 Whitelaw Et Al

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(12) Patent Application Publication (10) Pub. No.: US 2010/0096491 A1 Whitelaw Et Al US 2010 0096491A1 (19) United States (12) Patent Application Publication (10) Pub. No.: US 2010/0096491 A1 Whitelaw et al. (43) Pub. Date: Apr. 22, 2010 (54) ROCKET-POWERED ENTERTAINMENT application No. 1 1/875,745, filed on Oct. 19, 2007, VEHICLE which is a continuation of application No. 1 1/538,014, filed on Oct. 2, 2006. (75) Inventors: Granger Whitelaw, Red Bank, NJ (US); Michael R. D'Angelo, (60) Provisional application No. 61/084.345, filed on Jul. Orlando, FL (US); Peter H. 29, 2008, provisional application No. 61/096,244, Diamandis, Santa Monica, CA filed on Sep. 11, 2008. (US) Publication Classification Correspondence Address: PEACOCKMYERS, PC. (51) Int. C. 201 THIRD STREET, N.W., SUITE 1340 B64B I/36 (2006.01) B64C 5/02 (2006.01) ALBUQUEROUE, NM 87102 (US) B64D L/20 (2006.01) (73) Assignee: Rocket Racing, Inc., Orlando, FL H04N 7/8 (2006.01) (US) GSB 2L/00 (2006.01) (52) U.S. Cl. .............. 244/15: 244/73 R; 40/213; 725/75; (21) Appl. No.: 12/511.939 340/946 (22) Filed: Jul. 29, 2009 (57) ABSTRACT Related U.S. Application Data A rocket-powered vehicle used for entertainment, namely (63) Continuation-in-part of application No. 1 1/932,698, races, exhibitions, competitions, and revenue-generating filed on Oct. 31, 2007, which is a continuation of eVentS. - 10 100 Km (62 miles) Patent Application Publication Apr. 22, 2010 Sheet 1 of 49 US 2010/0096491 A1 s | Patent Application Publication Apr. 22, 2010 Sheet 2 of 49 US 2010/0096491 A1 s Patent Application Publication Apr. 22, 2010 Sheet 3 of 49 US 2010/0096491 A1 52 ESTABLISHA SPACEPORT HAVINGALAUNCH PORTION AND A SPECTATORPORTION LAUNCHA FIRST ROCKET. POWERED WEHICLE FROM THE LAUNCH PORTION ONA FIRST DAY EXHIBIT ROCKETPOWERED PLANESRELATED ;SEE ACTIVITIES SEGEE, PRIORT 56 AND/OR CONCURRENT WITH L4E. SESLfAfT. COMPETITION AT THE SPACEPORT LAUNCHA SECOND ROCKET. POWERED WEHICLE FROM THE LAUNCH PORTION ON THE FIRST DAY 60 LAND THE FIRST ROCKET. POWERED WEHICLEAT THE SPACEPORT FIG. 3 Patent Application Publication Apr. 22, 2010 Sheet 4 of 49 US 2010/0096491 A1 s Patent Application Publication Apr. 22, 2010 Sheet 5 of 49 US 2010/0096491 A1 NOT TOSCALE Yy A as PRIVATEFOREXECUTIVE HANGAR -1 (FORTEAMS & )Ds- MEMBERS GUESIS a sy-aSTAFF availanga MAIN FAIR AND EXHIBITION GROUNDS GENERAL o BATHROOMS OUTDOOR :ligANDSE WIEWING WITH CLOSING Pily oWENDORS DEBRIS SHUTTERS AREAA 68 MidAass CENTER SECURITY WITH OWN CENTER UPLINK SECONDARY FAIR AND EXHIBITION GROUNDS o BATHROOMS oMERCHANDISE oRIDES a WENDORS PARKING LOTB FOR CAMPERS, TRAILER AND LONG TERM PARKING FIG. 5 Patent Application Publication Apr. 22, 2010 Sheet 6 of 49 US 2010/0096491 A1 HANGAR'SFUELING ENCLOSED ap BOX EXPANSION PADS LANDING TARGET AREA ENCLOSED B2 BOX SEATS PAD A3 M EMERGENCYLANDINGSTRIP ENCLOSED CONTROL BOX SEATS TOWER (EXPANSION) GENERAL OUTDOOR VIEWING WITH CLOSING DEBRIS SHUTTERS (BUILD AN EXPANSION) AREA B CAMP GROUNDS FIG. 5 (Continued) Patent Application Publication Apr. 22, 2010 Sheet 7 of 49 US 2010/0096491 A1 PREWALING WIND DIRECTION Welcome to X Spaceport ADDITIONAL LANDINGZONE (BARRENLAND ORWATER) O RADAR O TRACKING AND SSoYA IFEMETRY CONTROL O GOLD BOX RELAY O COMMUNICATIONS CENTER oSECURITY HQ o FIRSTAID CENTER OHOSPITAL WING RECOVERKES5 HOO AND FIREHO FIG. 5 (Continued) Patent Application Publication Apr. 22, 2010 Sheet 8 of 49 US 2010/0096491 A1 Patent Application Publication Apr. 22, 2010 Sheet 9 of 49 US 2010/0096491 A1 - 12 FLIGHT SYSTEM PROPULSION SYSTEM PROPELLANT FIG. 6 Patent Application Publication Apr. 22, 2010 Sheet 10 of 49 US 2010/0096491 A1 FLIGHTSYSTEIM 40 MODE SWITCH(ES) 4 2 TELEMETRY UNIT TRANSMITTER 46 GROUND SYSTEM RECEIVER NETWORK EXTENDER WIDEO STREAM #2 FIG. 7 Patent Application Publication Apr. 22, 2010 Sheet 11 of 49 US 2010/0096491 A1 | 1- - - - - - - ------ IIN?IABHIHIMHTHI 69 Patent Application Publication Apr. 22, 2010 Sheet 12 of 49 US 2010/0096491 A1 /| Patent Application Publication Apr. 22, 2010 Sheet 13 of 49 US 2010/0096491 A1 152 ESTABLISHA SPACEPORT HAVING A PLURALITY OF LAUNCH PADS ANDA SPECIATOR PORTION WERTICALLY LAUNCHINGA FIRST MANNED ROCKETPOWERED VEHICLE FROMA FIRST LAUNCH PAD VERTICALLY LAUNCHING ASECOND MANNED ROCKETPOWERED VEHICLE FROMA SECOND LAUNCH PAD MANEU/ERING THE FIRST ROCKETPOWERED VEHICLE ALONGA PRE-DEFINED FLIGHT PATH MANEU/ERING THE SECOND ROCKETPOWERED WEHICLE ALONG THE PRE-DEFINED FLIGHT PATH WHILE THE FIRST ROCKETPOWERED WEHICLE IS MANEU/ERING THE FLIGHT PATH FIG. 10 Patent Application Publication Apr. 22, 2010 Sheet 14 of 49 US 2010/0096491 A1 (117 DITCH ZONE 18NSAFETY ZONE 118 FIG 11 Patent Application Publication Apr. 22, 2010 Sheet 15 of 49 US 2010/0096491 A1 Patent Application Publication Apr. 22, 2010 Sheet 16 of 49 US 2010/0096491 A1 87-N STORAGE MEDIUM INTERFACE FIG. 13 Patent Application Publication Apr. 22, 2010 Sheet 17 of 49 US 2010/0096491 A1 Patent Application Publication Apr. 22, 2010 Sheet 18 of 49 US 2010/0096491 A1 Patent Application Publication Apr. 22, 2010 Sheet 19 of 49 US 2010/0096491 A1 1420 1442 MAINTENANCE STATION 1444 RAPID REFUELING EQUIPMENT 1448 STANDARD RATE TEAMX FEHY REFUELING TAKE OFF/ EQUIPMENT LANDING STRIP 1446 FILLED REPLACEMENT FUELTANKS FIG. 14C Patent Application Publication Apr. 22, 2010 Sheet 20 of 49 US 2010/0096491 A1 1512 LAUNCHINGA FIRST ROCKETPOWERED WEHICLE OFA GROUP OF RACING PARTICIPANTS 1514 THE FIRST ROCKETPOWERED WEHICLE MANEUWERING PROXIMATE A GROUP OF SPECTATORS AND, WHILE PROXIMATE THE GROUP OF SPECTATORS, PERFORMINGA PRE-DETERMINED MANEU/ER 1516 LAUNCHINGA SECOND ROCKETPOWERED WEHICLE OF THE GROUP OFRACING PARTICIPANTS SUBSTANTIALLY SIMULTANEOUSLY WITH THE STEP OF LAUNCHING THE FIRST ROCKETPOWERED WEHICLE 1518 THE SECOND ROCKETPOWERED WEHICLE MANEUWERING PROXIMATE THE GROUP OF SPECTATORS AND, WHILE PROXIMATE THE GROUP OF SPECTATORS, PERFORMINGA PRE-DETERMINED MANEU/ER 1520 THE FIRST ROCKETPOWERED WEHICLESIMULIANEOUSLY RACINGAGAINST THE SECOND ROCKET-POWERED WEHICLE TO COMPLETEAPRE-DETERMINED COURSE FIG. 15 Patent Application Publication Apr. 22, 2010 Sheet 21 of 49 US 2010/0096491 A1 • `~[XWVITHÍNH<EGITTONIAWW) --->==* (SWNT’ITHITH T787/0/W|{{} __---------*** L Patent Application Publication Apr. 22, 2010 Sheet 22 of 49 US 2010/0096491 A1 s INJECTOR PUMP \ || || Patent Application Publication Apr. 22, 2010 Sheet 23 of 49 US 2010/0096491 A1 S2 s a. E. SS i s S. s Ss SC. S { S.ca Patent Application Publication Apr. 22, 2010 Sheet 24 of 49 US 2010/0096491 A1 Patent Application Publication Apr. 22, 2010 Sheet 25 of 49 US 2010/0096491 A1 STORAGE MEDIUM INTERFACE FIG. 20 Patent Application Publication Apr. 22, 2010 Sheet 26 of 49 US 2010/0096491 A1 Patent Application Publication Apr. 22, 2010 Sheet 27 of 49 US 2010/0096491 A1 90@@ X0807H 3133ºVHHWVO VIVONOSSW, &#308|00}}} Patent Application Publication Apr. 22, 2010 Sheet 28 of 49 US 2010/0096491 A1 &2H2()s AZ Ci Al2ea Patent Application Publication Apr. 22, 2010 Sheet 29 of 49 US 2010/0096491 A1 F. : Patent Application Publication Apr. 22, 2010 Sheet 30 of 49 US 2010/0096491 A1 Hr Fis (SA. N) YSAS NRXS FIG. 25B Patent Application Publication Apr. 22, 2010 Sheet 31 of 49 US 2010/0096491 A1 FIG. 25C FIG.25D Patent Application Publication Apr. 22, 2010 Sheet 32 of 49 US 2010/0096491 A1 ==1 Patent Application Publication Apr. 22, 2010 Sheet 34 of 49 US 2010/0096491 A1 ||| Patent Application Publication Apr. 22, 2010 Sheet 35 of 49 US 2010/0096491 A1 2900 2910 First Set Of Data SeCOnd Set Of Data 2930 2940 FIG. 29 Patent Application Publication Apr. 22, 2010 Sheet 36 of 49 US 2010/0096491 A1 FIG. 30 Patent Application Publication Apr. 22, 2010 Sheet 37 of 49 US 2010/0096491 A1 FIG. 31 Patent Application Publication Apr. 22, 2010 Sheet 38 of 49 US 2010/0096491 A1 Patent Application Publication Apr. 22, 2010 Sheet 39 of 49 US 2010/0096491 A1 FIG. 33 Patent Application Publication Apr. 22, 2010 Sheet 40 of 49 US 2010/0096491 A1 ? ?ár-TITH\\TTTTTTTT FIG. 34 Patent Application Publication Apr. 22, 2010 Sheet 41 of 49 US 2010/0096491 A1 Tez29. a/ Patent Application Publication Apr. 22, 2010 Sheet 42 of 49 US 2010/0096491 A1 Patent Application Publication Apr. 22, 2010 Sheet 43 of 49 US 2010/0096491 A1 FIG. 37 Patent Application Publication Apr. 22, 2010 Sheet 44 of 49 US 2010/0096491 A1 FIG 38 Patent Application Publication Apr. 22, 2010 Sheet 45 of 49 US 2010/0096491 A1 Patent Application Publication Apr. 22, 2010 Sheet 46 of 49 US 2010/0096491 A1 FIG. 40 Patent Application Publication Apr. 22, 2010 Sheet 47 of 49 US 2010/0096491 A1 Propellant Load 1400-lbm & No Throttle Back 2500 2000 Sa 1500 SUSEH o500 | || || || || || 0 20 40 60 80 100 120 140 160 180 Time/Seconds FIG. 41 Propellant Load 1400-lbm & Throttle Back after Boost & Climb 2500 oHH1500 N to III ||||||||||U|| 500 0 20 40 60 80 100 120 140 160 180 200 220 240 Time/Seconds FIG. 42 Patent Application Publication Apr. 22, 2010 Sheet 48 of 49 US 2010/0096491 A1 SLED TEST - THRUST | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | NHh is 20406080 100 120 140 160 1802002: Time/Seconds FIG. 43 Fuel, LOX & Chamber Pressure 250 200 CD D N N s sers () 9 | || || | | | Time/Seconds FIG. 44 Patent Application Publication Apr. 22, 2010 Sheet 49 of 49 US 2010/0096491 A1 GaS Only Gas Only He SCreen SCreen He LOX Fuel Shutoff Shutoff Tube Ethan Ol Liquid SenSOrS He Purge Ignition He Purge Bl WallWeS ast PSI Shield Ignitor He Dump He Dump LOX Chamber Fuel Dump Dump NOZZle Burn Through SenSOr FIG. 45 US 2010/0096491 A1 Apr. 22, 2010 ROCKET-POWERED ENTERTAINMENT ing very large corporate sponsorship and significant revenue VEHICLE from broadcast rights. These races have also lead to signifi cant breakthroughs in automotive design and performance.
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