Patents by Inventor Nicholas C. Wilder

Nicholas C. Wilder 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).

  • Solar arrays, deployment mechanisms therefor, and related methods
    Patent number: 9352853
    Abstract: Mechanisms for deploying a solar array include an elongated deployment member routed along a first panel, along an extension, and at least partially along a second panel. The elongated deployment member is configured to, upon retraction of the elongated deployment member by a deployment motor, move the extension into an extended position and rotate the second panel about a hub located at a distal end of the extension. Solar array assemblies include such a mechanism. Methods of deploying a solar array include retracting an elongated deployment member to rotate an extension into an extended position and further retracting the elongated deployment member to rotate a panel coupled to the extension approximately 360° about a hub of the extension.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2016
    Assignee: ORBITAL ATK, INC.
    Inventors: Michael I. Eskenazi, Nicholas C. Wilder, David M. Murphy
  • SOLAR ARRAYS, DEPLOYMENT MECHANISMS THEREFOR, AND RELATED METHODS
    Publication number: 20140263847
    Abstract: Mechanisms for deploying a solar array include an elongated deployment member routed along a first panel, along an extension, and at least partially along a second panel. The elongated deployment member is configured to, upon retraction of the elongated deployment member by the deployment motor, move the extension into an extended position and rotate the second panel about a hub located at a distal end of the extension. Solar array assemblies include such a mechanism. Methods of deploying a solar array include retracting an elongated deployment member to rotate an extension into an extended position and further retracting the elongated deployment member to rotate a panel coupled to the extension approximately 360° about a hub of the extension.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: ALLIANT TECHSYSTEMS INC.
    Inventors: Michael I. Eskenazi, Nicholas C. Wilder, David M. Murphy