Patents by Inventor MATTHEW S. ASHMORE

MATTHEW S. ASHMORE 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).

  • Refueling tool and quick disconnect
    Patent number: 11084710
    Abstract: A quick disconnect apparatus including a first end configured to interface with a legacy fill and drain valve (FDV) of a satellite to be serviced, a second end configured to interface with a refueling tool, and a middle portion including at least one redundant seal to prevent unwanted fuel transfer during connection of the FDV and refueling tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2021
    Assignee: United States of America as represented by the Administrator of NASA
    Inventors: Hans R. Raven, Matthew S. Ashmore, Matthew Sammons, Patrick A. O'Neill
  • Clamping mechanism for a berthing system
    Patent number: 10793298
    Abstract: Disclosed is a berthing system to receive a client module, including a plurality of berthing posts, a plurality of clamping mechanisms each mounted to a respective berthing post, the plurality of clamping mechanisms movable along a berthing post to clamp a received module, wherein the plurality of clamping mechanisms are configured to assert a radial force upon the received module, wherein the plurality of clamping mechanisms each include a rotary clamping jaw that includes drawdown portion and a radial contact portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2020
    Assignee: United States of America as represented by the Administrator of NASA
    Inventors: Kelvin R. Garcia, Thomas J. Hanyok, Matthew S. Ashmore
  • Robotic gripper for autonomous rendezvous and capture of satellites
    Patent number: 10414053
    Abstract: A robotic gripper for rigidly grasping a section of a Marman ring of a satellite, the robotic gripper having an outboard jaw which interfaces to an outer diameter side of the Marman ring, a inboard jaw which interfaces to an inner diameter side of the Marman ring, and a palm which interfaces to a separation surface of the Marman ring. The jaws, when grasping the section of the Marman ring, execute a two-stage motion comprising a first movement toward the opposing jaw in a direction parallel to the palm, and a second movement of drawing the Marman ring down against the palm or other suitable surface in order to fully rigidize the grasp.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2019
    Assignee: U.S.A. as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration
    Inventor: Matthew S. Ashmore
  • ROBOTIC GRIPPER FOR AUTONOMOUS RENDEZVOUS AND CAPTURE OF SATELLITES
    Publication number: 20180257242
    Abstract: A robotic gripper for rigidly grasping a section of a Marman ring of a satellite, the robotic gripper having an outboard jaw which interfaces to an outer diameter side of the Marman ring, a inboard jaw which interfaces to an inner diameter side of the Marman ring, and a palm which interfaces to a separation surface of the Marman ring. The jaws, when grasping the section of the Marman ring, execute a two-stage motion comprising a first movement toward the opposing jaw in a direction parallel to the palm, and a second movement of drawing the Marman ring down against the palm or other suitable surface in order to fully rigidize the grasp.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 9, 2017
    Publication date: September 13, 2018
    Inventor: MATTHEW S. ASHMORE