Including Use Of Launch Vehicle Part Patents (Class 244/159.6)
  • Patent number: 11724826
    Abstract: Spacecraft servicing devices and related methods may include a propellant tank configured to store a propellant and to be placed into fluid communication with a portion of the target spacecraft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2023
    Assignee: Northrop Grumman Systems Corporation
    Inventors: James Garret Nicholson, Thomas Fred Meyer, Daniel Guadagnoli
  • Patent number: 10994867
    Abstract: Spacecraft servicing systems include a spacecraft servicing device and at least one pod comprising at least one spacecraft servicing component. The spacecraft servicing device is configured to transfer the at least one pod to a target spacecraft in order to service the target spacecraft with the at least one spacecraft servicing component of the at least one pod. Spacecraft servicing pods configured to be supplied to a spacecraft with a spacecraft servicing device include at least one spacecraft servicing component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2021
    Assignee: Northrop Grumman Systems Corporation
    Inventors: James Garret Nicholson, Daniel Carl Treachler, Oliver Benjamin Ortiz, Robert Bryan Sullivan, Carlos Guillermo Niederstrasser, Michael Joseph Glogowski, William A. Llorens, Kenneth Siu-Kin Chow, Peter Michael Cipollo
  • Patent number: 8789797
    Abstract: Payload adapters for launch vehicles include a ring structure having an opening formed therein and at least a portion of an antenna assembly coupled to a circular sidewall of the ring structure at least partially within the opening of the ring structure. Satellite assemblies may include a payload adapter comprising a ring structure having a circular opening formed therein and an antenna assembly including a parabolic reflective dish formed within the circular opening. Launch stack systems may include a primary payload and a secondary payload adapter including an antenna dish integrally formed with a ring structure of the secondary payload adapter. Methods of forming a satellite assembly include positioning at least a portion of the antenna assembly within an opening formed in a ring-shaped payload adapter for a launch vehicle and coupling the at least a portion of the antenna assembly to the ring-shaped payload adapter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2014
    Assignee: Alliant Techsystems Inc.
    Inventor: Dilip K. Darooka
  • Patent number: 8393581
    Abstract: Structures and methods are disclosed regarding deployable structures with expandable longerons adjustably coupled with supporting structures such that an angle between the supporting structures can be adjusted. Such structures can include and/or be used for solar arrays, bridges, support structures, and more. These structures can be easily transported to a new location and deployed from the stowed configuration into a larger functional structure. In some embodiments these structures can use one or more longerons that can have two resting states: deployed and rolled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2013
    Assignee: Composite Technology Development, Inc.
    Inventors: Philip N. Keller, Robert Taylor, Doug Richardson, Adam G. Gray
  • Patent number: 8387921
    Abstract: A deployable structure that may include a slit-tube longeron and a flat panel coupled with the slit-tube longeron. The slit-tube longeron may include a tubular member having a slit that runs along the longitudinal length of the slit-tube longeron. The deployable structure may be configured to couple with a satellite. And the deployable structure may be configured to transform between a stowed state and a deployed state where the tubular member is substantially straight when the deployable structure is in the deployed state, and the tubular member is wrapped around the satellite when the deployable structure is in the stowed state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2013
    Assignee: Composite Technology Development, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Taylor, Philip N. Keller, Kaushik Mallick, Dana Turse, Michael J. Hulse
  • Patent number: 8109472
    Abstract: Structures and methods are disclosed regarding deployable structures with expandable longerons adjustably coupled with supporting structures such that an angle between the supporting structures can be adjusted. Such structures can include and/or be used for solar arrays, bridges, support structures, and more. These structures can be easily transported to a new location and deployed from the stowed configuration into a larger functional structure. In some embodiments these structures can use one or more longerons that can have two resting states: deployed and rolled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2012
    Assignee: Composite Technology Development, Inc.
    Inventors: Philip N. Keller, Robert Taylor, Larry G. Adams, Adam G. Gray, Naseem Munshi
  • Patent number: 8066227
    Abstract: Deployable structures are disclosed having collapsible structural members that include a stowed configuration with a volume smaller than the expanded configuration. Such structures can include and/or be used for litters, bridges, support structures, solar arrays, and more. These structures can be easily transported to a new location and deployed from the stowed configuration into a larger functional structure. In some embodiments these structures can use one or more slit-tube longerons that can have two resting states: deployed and rolled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2011
    Assignee: Composite Technology Development, Inc.
    Inventors: Philip N. Keller, Robert Taylor, Dana Turse, Larry G. Adams
  • Patent number: 8061660
    Abstract: A deployable structure is disclosed. The deployable structure may include one or more slit-tube longerons; and one or more flat sheets coupled with the one or more slit-tube longerons. The one or more slit-tube longerons and the one or more flat sheets may be stowed by rolling the one or more slit-tube longerons and the one or more flat sheets together into a roll. In one embodiment, at least a portion of the one or more slit-tube longerons may be exposed when stowed. In another embodiment, the one or more slit-tube longerons may be manufactured from a shape memory material. These slit-tube longerons unroll into to a straight configuration when exposed to heat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2011
    Assignee: Composite Technology Development, Inc.
    Inventors: Neal Beidleman, Gregg Freebury, Will Francis, Mark Lake, Rory Barrett, Philip N. Keller, Robert Taylor
  • Patent number: 7971831
    Abstract: A geosynchronous Solar Power Satellite System is created by an artificial gravity, closed ecology, multiple use structure in low earth orbit that manufactures modular solar power panels and transmitter arrays. This facility takes empty fuel tanks and expended rocket boosters from launch vehicles that are sent into low earth orbit, and re-manufactures them into structural components. These components are mated to solar cells that are launched from earth. The modular solar panels are transported to geosynchronous orbit by vehicles with ion engines, where the panels are mated to other solar panels to collect power. Structural components are also mated to transmitter elements launched from earth. These are likewise transported to geosynchronous orbit. They are mated to the solar power collecting panels and they beam the collected power back to earth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2011
    Inventor: Paul Roseman
  • Patent number: 7913953
    Abstract: Fuel less ACS for solar sails, using furl- and unfurl able ballast-sail-foil-segments for simultaneously displacement of center of mass and center of solar radiation pressure into opposite directions to each other. Solar-Sail-Launch-System for direct launch of the System-Sail including already docked in daughter units and payload in the sailcraft's central docking station. Unlike todays launch able solar sail designs the System-Sail features ample solar cell arrays and additional SEP-thruster-units for steering and propulsion, while the solar sail rather serves for longtime fuel less attitude controls and station keeping. The SEP-Sailcraft may also serve as a carrier-ship for daughter-units in asteroid exploration missions and is able to deliver prospector landers back to LEO with furled in foils.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2011
    Inventor: Frank Werner Ellinghaus
  • Patent number: 7780119
    Abstract: A modular spacecraft incorporating a launch vehicle interface design that also functions as a berthing or docking interface for the spacecraft. The vehicle interface utilizes existing launch vehicle components to minimize cost and time to flight. In addition, the spacecraft is constructed from off-the-shelf launch vehicle components that enable a low cost construction as well as a secondary payload carrying functionality.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2010
    Inventors: Michael David Johnson, Baron Hall
  • Publication number: 20090173831
    Abstract: A geosynchronous Solar Power Satellite System is created by an artificial gravity, closed ecology, multiple use structure in low earth orbit that manufactures modular solar power panels and transmitter arrays. This facility takes empty fuel tanks and expended rocket boosters from launch vehicles that are sent into low earth orbit, and re-manufactures them into structural components. These components are mated to solar cells that are launched from earth. The modular solar panels are transported to geosynchronous orbit by vehicles with ion engines, where the panels are mated to other solar panels to collect power. Structural components are also mated to transmitter elements launched from earth. These are likewise transported to geosynchronous orbit. They are mated to the solar power collecting panels and they beam the collected power back to earth.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 24, 2006
    Publication date: July 9, 2009
    Inventor: Paul Roseman