US 11,884,427 B2
Stud-propelling mechanisms for securing a launch vehicle to a landing platform, and associated systems and methods
Brian Riordan, Kent, WA (US); Shane Draney, Maple Valley, WA (US); Rory Arp, Auburn, WA (US); and Robert E. McMullen, Redmond, WA (US)
Assigned to Blue Origin LLC, Kent, WA (US)
Filed by Blue Origin, LLC, Kent, WA (US)
Filed on Jul. 7, 2021, as Appl. No. 17/369,896.
Prior Publication US 2023/0012410 A1, Jan. 12, 2023
Int. Cl. B64G 1/62 (2006.01); B64G 5/00 (2006.01); B64G 1/00 (2006.01); B63B 35/53 (2006.01)
CPC B64G 1/62 (2013.01) [B63B 35/53 (2013.01); B64G 1/002 (2013.01); B64G 5/00 (2013.01); B64G 2005/005 (2013.01)] 31 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. An aerospace system comprising:
a launch vehicle portion;
one or more landing support elements carried by the launch vehicle portion and positioned to support the launch vehicle portion upon the launch vehicle portion landing on a landing surface; and
a fastening mechanism carried by at least one of the landing support elements and configured to fasten the at least one landing support element to the landing surface when the launch vehicle portion is on the landing surface;
wherein the fastening mechanism comprises:
a barrel structure positioned to receive a stud and an energetic material, the barrel structure having a breech portion and a muzzle portion;
a plate element comprising an interference portion positioned to capture the stud upon activation of the energetic material, wherein the interference portion comprises a hole in the plate element, and wherein at least part of the hole has a smaller inner diameter than an inner diameter of the muzzle portion; and
a recoil absorption element operatively positioned between the barrel structure and the at least one landing support element, wherein the recoil absorption element is configured to deform to absorb recoil energy from the barrel structure.