Patents by Inventor Hans P. Naepflin
Hans P. Naepflin has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
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Patent number: 11473616Abstract: A multi-axis flexure device can include a first support base, a second support base, and a central coupler. The multi-axis flexure device can also include a first flexure device rotatably coupling the first support base and the central coupler to one another to facilitate rotation about a first axis, and a second flexure device rotatably coupling the second support base and the central coupler to one another to facilitate rotation about a second axis. Each flexure device can include a first flexure, a second flexure, and a flexure coupler coupled to the first and second flexures. The first flexure and the second flexure of the first flexure device can, respectively, be coupled to the first support base and the central coupler. The first flexure and the second flexure of the second flexure device can, respectively, be coupled to the second support base and the central coupler.Type: GrantFiled: October 22, 2018Date of Patent: October 18, 2022Assignee: Raytheon CompanyInventors: Andrew L. Bullard, Hans P. Naepflin
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Patent number: 11248953Abstract: A broadband calibrator assembly is provided and includes a medium/long wave infrared (MW/LW IR) assembly and multiple ultraviolet (UV)/visible and near IR (VNIR)/short wave IR (SWIR) assemblies.Type: GrantFiled: September 11, 2019Date of Patent: February 15, 2022Assignee: RAYTHEON COMPANYInventors: James R. Chow, Edward Ward, Jr., Christopher R. Koontz, Hans P. Naepflin, Steven E. Persh, Stephen J. Schiller, Stephanie Lin
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Publication number: 20210072074Abstract: A broadband calibrator assembly is provided and includes a medium/long wave infrared (MW/LW IR) assembly and multiple ultraviolet (UV)/visible and near IR (VNIR)/short wave IR (SWIR) assemblies.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 11, 2019Publication date: March 11, 2021Inventors: James R. Chow, Edward Ward, JR., Christopher R. Koontz, Hans P. Naepflin, Steven E. Persh, Stephen J. Schiller, Stephanie Lin
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Publication number: 20200124086Abstract: A multi-axis flexure device can include a first support base, a second support base, and a central coupler. The multi-axis flexure device can also include a first flexure device rotatably coupling the first support base and the central coupler to one another to facilitate rotation about a first axis, and a second flexure device rotatably coupling the second support base and the central coupler to one another to facilitate rotation about a second axis. Each flexure device can include a first flexure, a second flexure, and a flexure coupler coupled to the first and second flexures. The first flexure of the first flexure device can be coupled to the first support base to facilitate relative rotation between the first support base and the flexure coupler of the first flexure device about the first axis.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 22, 2018Publication date: April 23, 2020Inventors: Andrew L. Bullard, Hans P. Naepflin
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Patent number: 9958638Abstract: A high performance kinematic mirror mount facilitating the reduction of thermally and mechanically induced optical distortion of a precision mirror is disclosed. The mirror mount assembly includes a mirror with a front reflective surface and a rear support surface. A set of sub-tier mounting assemblies are provided being affixed to the rear support surface of the mirror utilizing a number of strut pairs and a number of bonded mount pads arranged so as to connect the sub-tier mounting assemblies to the mirror with numerous strut pairs arranged as bipods.Type: GrantFiled: September 13, 2013Date of Patent: May 1, 2018Assignee: Raytheon CompanyInventors: Hans P. Naepflin, Alexander K. Raco, Maciej D. Makowski
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Patent number: 9885383Abstract: A rotational degree of freedom joint constraint system is disclosed. The system can include joint constraint hardware, such as a first component and a second component. The first component can have a rotational interface, and a constraint feature associated with the rotational interface. The second component can have a socket operable with the rotational interface to facilitate relative movement of the first component and the second component in at least one rotational degree of freedom. The second component can form an opening configured to facilitate movement of the constraint feature therein upon the relative movement of the first component and the second component. The rotational degree of freedom joint constraint system can also include a locking mechanism operable with the constraint feature. Movement of the constraint feature within the opening can be preventable by the locking mechanism to constrain the relative movement of the first component and the second component.Type: GrantFiled: November 14, 2016Date of Patent: February 6, 2018Assignee: Raytheon CompanyInventors: Shane E. Wilson, Hans P. Naepflin
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Patent number: 9632282Abstract: Systems that provide an active adjustment of mirrors and specifically of secondary mirrors, and that provide active adjustment of secondary mirrors in six degrees of freedom, and that can carry the additional load during launch.Type: GrantFiled: November 20, 2014Date of Patent: April 25, 2017Assignee: Raytheon CompanyInventors: David Van Lue, Andrew L. Bullard, Hans P. Naepflin
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Publication number: 20170058946Abstract: A rotational degree of freedom joint constraint system is disclosed. The system can include joint constraint hardware, such as a first component and a second component. The first component can have a rotational interface, and a constraint feature associated with the rotational interface. The second component can have a socket operable with the rotational interface to facilitate relative movement of the first component and the second component in at least one rotational degree of freedom. The second component can form an opening configured to facilitate movement of the constraint feature therein upon the relative movement of the first component and the second component. The rotational degree of freedom joint constraint system can also include a locking mechanism operable with the constraint feature. Movement of the constraint feature within the opening can be preventable by the locking mechanism to constrain the relative movement of the first component and the second component.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 14, 2016Publication date: March 2, 2017Inventors: Shane E. Wilson, Hans P. Naepflin
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Publication number: 20170055731Abstract: A mirror mount system is disclosed. The mirror mount system can include a rib forming a support structure of a mirror. The rib can have an attachment portion. The mirror mount system can also include an attachment fitting bonded to the attachment portion of the rib with an adhesive. The attachment portion can be sufficiently isolated from other portions of the rib structure such that loading in the other portions of the rib structure tending to distort the mirror, which is generated internal to the attachment fitting and the attachment portion, is minimized while providing adequate structural support for the mirror.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 26, 2015Publication date: March 2, 2017Inventors: Andrew L. Bullard, Hans P. Naepflin
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Patent number: 9494186Abstract: A rotational degree of freedom joint constraint system is disclosed. The system can include joint constraint hardware, such as a first component and a second component. The first component can have a rotational interface, and a constraint feature associated with the rotational interface. The second component can have a socket operable with the rotational interface to facilitate relative movement of the first component and the second component in at least one rotational degree of freedom. The second component can form an opening configured to facilitate movement of the constraint feature therein upon the relative movement of the first component and the second component. The rotational degree of freedom joint constraint system can also include a locking mechanism operable with the constraint feature. Movement of the constraint feature within the opening can be preventable by the locking mechanism to constrain the relative movement of the first component and the second component.Type: GrantFiled: June 11, 2013Date of Patent: November 15, 2016Assignee: Raytheon CompanyInventors: Shane E. Wilson, Hans P. Naepflin
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Publication number: 20160147039Abstract: Systems that provide an active adjustment of mirrors and specifically of secondary mirrors, and that provide active adjustment of secondary mirrors in six degrees of freedom, and that can carry the additional load during launch.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 20, 2014Publication date: May 26, 2016Applicant: RAYTHEON CORPORATIONInventors: David Van Lue, Andrew L. Bullard, Hans P. Naepflin
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Publication number: 20150077874Abstract: A high performance kinematic mirror mount facilitating the reduction of thermally and mechanically induced optical distortion of a precision mirror is disclosed. The mirror mount assembly includes a mirror with a front reflective surface and a rear support surface. A set of sub-tier mounting assemblies are provided being affixed to the rear support surface of the mirror utilizing a number of strut pairs and a number of bonded mount pads arranged so as to connect the sub-tier mounting assemblies to the mirror with numerous strut pairs arranged as bipods.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 13, 2013Publication date: March 19, 2015Applicant: Raytheon CompanyInventors: Hans P. Naepflin, Alexander K. Raco, Maciej D. Makowski
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Publication number: 20140363218Abstract: A rotational degree of freedom joint constraint system is disclosed. The system can include joint constraint hardware, such as a first component and a second component. The first component can have a rotational interface, and a constraint feature associated with the rotational interface. The second component can have a socket operable with the rotational interface to facilitate relative movement of the first component and the second component in at least one rotational degree of freedom. The second component can form an opening configured to facilitate movement of the constraint feature therein upon the relative movement of the first component and the second component. The rotational degree of freedom joint constraint system can also include a locking mechanism operable with the constraint feature. Movement of the constraint feature within the opening can be preventable by the locking mechanism to constrain the relative movement of the first component and the second component.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 11, 2013Publication date: December 11, 2014Inventors: Shane E. Wilson, Hans P. Naepflin
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Patent number: 6208317Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method of and a device for adjusting the concavity of a springback antenna reflector. The method and device of the present invention can be used to adjust the concavity of the springback reflector prior to stowage within a satellite to correct actual or anticipated variations in the desired shape of reflector that are caused by storage of the reflector, fabrication of the reflector, thermal effects on the reflector, and moisture absorption by the material from which the reflector is fabricated. By adjusting the concavity of the reflector to correct the variations in the shape of the reflector, degradation of the performance of the reflector due to distortions in the shape of the reflector may be greatly reduced.Type: GrantFiled: February 15, 2000Date of Patent: March 27, 2001Assignee: Hughes Electronics CorporationInventors: Robert M. Taylor, James R. Gillett, Stephen A. Robinson, Hans P. Naepflin