Patents by Inventor James J. Wachholz

James J. Wachholz 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).

  • Patent number: 5487791
    Abstract: A stowable and self-deployable parallelogram-type panel array for solar cells. The array includes two sets of rigid panels, the panels of each set being hinged together, and the sets extending side-by-side along a central axis. The sets are foldable, and are pivoted together at their central points so as to form parallelogram-type structures. A respective yoke is hinged to each set to coordinate the movement of the sets. The yokes are hinged to a base on the opposite side of the axis from their respective set to provide greater structural stability and a higher first node resonant frequency. Deployment force is exerted by self-powered hinges, and are the only source of deployment force. The yokes are joined by gears to coordinate their rotation and thereby the stowing and deploying of the array.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 1994
    Date of Patent: January 30, 1996
    Assignee: AEC Able Engineering Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Michael R. Everman, David M. Murphy, James J. Wachholz