Patents Assigned to Astrium GmbH
  • Combustion chamber with internal jacket made of a ceramic composite material and process for manufacture
    Patent number: 7293403
    Abstract: A combustion chamber, in particular for a rocket drive, includes at least one jacket madeof a composite material with a ceramic matrix. The composite material contains a fibrous structure made of carbon-containing fibers, and the fibrous structure comprises layers of fibers that form a three-dimensional matrix.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2007
    Assignee: Astrium GmbH
    Inventors: Steffen Beyer, Helmut Knabe, Dieter Preclik
  • METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR TRANSFORMING OVERBOUNDS
    Publication number: 20070222669
    Abstract: A method for determining overbounds comprises the steps of determining conservative overbounds (qi) of at least one error (?i) in a first phase space, multiplying the conservative overbounds (qi) of errors (?i) in the first phase space by a first parameter (?(?x)·2) and a second parameter (?(x)·2), and determining an upper bound for the integrity risk at the alert limit (pw,int(AL)) in a second phase space using overbounds (qi) of errors (?i) in the first phase space by the first parameter (?(?x)·2) and the second parameter (?(x)·2).
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2007
    Publication date: September 27, 2007
    Applicant: EADS Astrium GmbH
    Inventors: Hans Trautenberg, Harald Frankenberger
  • Heat shield for mounting on a heat-radiating object, particularly on a rocket engine
    Publication number: 20070146972
    Abstract: A heat shield for mounting on a heat-radiating object, particularly on a rocket engine comprises a first planar element having a front side and a back side. In its mounted state, the first planar element extending from the heat-radiating object toward the outside, with its front side being exposed to the heat radiation at least of a section of the heat-radiating object. A second insulating element having a front side and a back side is arranged on the back side of the first planar element in such a manner that a gap is formed between the back side of the first planar element and the front side of the second element. In the mounted state of the heat shield, the gap widens in the direction from the heat-radiating object toward the outside.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2006
    Publication date: June 28, 2007
    Applicant: ASTRIUM GmbH
    Inventors: Andreas Goetz, Gerhard Hartmann, Herbert Linner, Thomas Mattstedt, Stefan Menne
  • Linear actuation device for spacecraft and solar generator unfolding systems
    Patent number: 7222822
    Abstract: A linear operating device is provided that includes a way of converting a rotational motion into a translational motion, realized in the form of a nut, a rotating drive unit and a spindle acting in conjunction with the nut; and the nut is connected to the spindle with the ability to rotate. The rotating drive unit is connected to the nut with torsional strength, or it exercises a force in the axial direction of the spindle. Applications for the invention can be found in space travel, particularly in the context of solar generator unfolding systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2007
    Assignee: Astrium GmbH
    Inventors: Martin Roth, Leonhard Stielner, Axel Söckle
  • Dynamic yaw steering method for spacecrafts
    Publication number: 20070090229
    Abstract: A spacecraft with a yaw steering system performing yaw steering. The yaw steering includes steering the spacecraft to have a yaw angle (?) for all sun elevation angles (?) in accordance with a yaw steering guidance law that provides a yaw steering motion about a yaw axis which is smooth for all sun elevation angles (?). At least part of the guidance law comprises a smoothing function (f), which is a function of an orbital position parameter (?) of the spacecraft, the smoothing function (f) smoothing the yaw steering motion for values of the orbital position parameter (?) where high rotational rates {dot over (?)} or high rotational accelerations {umlaut over (?)} would occur without the smoothing function (f).
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 25, 2006
    Publication date: April 26, 2007
    Applicant: Astrium GmbH
    Inventors: Klaus Ebert, Wilfried Oesterlin
  • Method for drift compensation with radar measurements with the aid of reference radar signals
    Patent number: 7209072
    Abstract: A method of radar measurement by transmitting and receiving radar signals with at least two spatially separated radar systems. The method further includes exchanging reference radar signals between the at least two radar systems to determine measurement-relevant parameters. Moreover, a determination of at least one of a relative phase relationship of the reference radar signals of the radar systems and a relative time position of time references of the radar systems is based on reference radar signals received. The instant abstract is neither intended to define the invention disclosed in this specification nor intended to limit the scope of the invention in any way.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2007
    Assignee: EADS Astrium GmbH
    Inventors: Harald Braubach, Michael Voelker
  • System for the optical detection of a distant object using a rotating mirror
    Patent number: 7202467
    Abstract: A system is described for the optical detection of a distant object, having a light beam generating device for generating a parallel light beam, a scanning unit for generating a scan pattern by deflecting the parallel light beam over a defined angular range, and a detector unit for detecting light reflected by the distant object. The scanning unit includes a rotating polygonal mirror with several reflecting partial mirror surfaces. The light beam generating device is provided for generating a parallel light beam in two different beam positions which, in response to a rotating position indicating signal indicating the rotating position of the polygonal mirror, can be switched over from a partial mirror surface to an adjacent partial mirror surface. Accordingly, a system is provided for the optical direction of a distant object, which system has a high capacity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2007
    Assignee: EADS Astrium GmbH
    Inventors: Jess Koehler, Wolfgang Holota
  • Method and receiver for the simultaneous detection and evaluation of at least two electro- magnetic signals
    Publication number: 20070065786
    Abstract: In a method and apparatus for simultaneous detection and analysis of at least two electromagnetic signals, at least one of which is a radiation image signal, using a common detector, the input radiation image is divided into at least two partial images. The partial images are projected onto a radiation detector, such that the radiation intensities of the partial images are projected from the image center of the input radiation image to the edge of the radiation image on the detector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 22, 2004
    Publication date: March 22, 2007
    Applicant: EADS Astrium GmbH
    Inventors: Christopher Kuehl, Markus Melf
  • Dynamic yaw steering method for spacecrafts
    Patent number: 7143982
    Abstract: A method for yaw steering a spacecraft including performing yaw steering of the spacecraft to have a yaw angle (?) for all sun elevation angles (?). The method further including smoothing a yaw steering motion for orbital position parameters (?) where high rotational rates {dot over (?)} and high rotational accelerations {umlaut over (?)} would occur. The instant abstract is neither intended to define the invention disclosed in this specification nor intended to limit the scope of the invention in any way.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2006
    Assignee: Astrium GmbH
    Inventors: Klaus Ebert, Wilfried Oesterlin
  • Process and apparatus for creation of estimated navigation signal error information
    Patent number: 7138942
    Abstract: A system for determining estimated navigation signal error information. Several error models are used by the evaluation unit, and, as a function of at least one defined selection standard, one of the several error models is selected. In determining the estimated navigation signal error information, the selected error model is applied to the received navigation signals, and the determined error information is transmitted to the radio navigation system and/or to user terminals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2006
    Assignee: EADS Astrium GmbH
    Inventor: Hans Ludwig Trautenberg
  • Method for the fuel-optimized selection of a thruster configuration
    Patent number: 7096095
    Abstract: The invention describes a method for the fuel-optimized selection of a configuration of thrusters on a spacecraft while resolving a linear optimization problem with an initialization phase for finding a first permissible solution and a subsequent iteration phase, in which proceeding on the permissible solution an iterative optimization of an efficiency criterion takes place. In each iteration step a scaled iteration gradient is formed, and the iteration gradient is multiplied with a limiting factor for a maximum iteration step width, which is formed while taking at least one boundary value condition for a permissible solution into account.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2006
    Assignee: EADS Astrium GmbH
    Inventors: Horst-Dieter Fischer, Joachim Chemnitz
  • Method and apparatus for interferometric radar measurement
    Publication number: 20060164288
    Abstract: In a method for interferometric radar measurement, at least two synthetic aperture radar (SAR) systems on satellite and/or missile-supported platforms illuminate a common surface area by means of microwave signals. A first SAR system sends a first radar signal on a first transmit frequency, and at least a second SAR system sends at least a second radar signal on at least a second transmit frequency. At least one of the at least two SAR systems receives the at least two interfering radar signals reflected on the common surface area, determines difference phases of the received radar signals from the interferograms, determines therefrom a drift of a system clock of the at least two SAR systems, and compensates the determined drift.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2005
    Publication date: July 27, 2006
    Applicant: EADS Astrium GmbH
    Inventor: Michael Voelker
  • Pulsed solar simulator with improved homogeneity
    Patent number: 7067831
    Abstract: Solar simulator that includes a pulsed radiation source for generating electromagnetic radiation, and at least one mirror element is arranged in a region of the radiation source. The at least one mirror element is structured and arranged to reflect components of radiation from the radiation source essentially in an intended irradiation direction. Further, the at least one mirror element, formed at least in part of metal, is positioned adjacent to the radiation source and is structured to receive at least a part of an ignition voltage of the pulsed radiation source. The instant abstract is neither intended to define the invention disclosed in this specification nor intended to limit the scope of the invention in any way.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2006
    Assignee: EADS Astrium GmbH
    Inventors: Klaus-Armin Ahrens, Carsten Hampe, Heinrich Preitnacher
  • Linear actuation device for spacecraft and solar generator unfolding systems
    Patent number: 6997416
    Abstract: A linear operating device is provided that includes a way of converting a rotational motion into a translational motion, realized in the form of a nut, a rotating drive unit and a spindle acting in conjunction with the nut; and the nut is connected to the spindle with the ability to rotate. The rotating drive unit is connected to the nut with torsional strength, or it exercises a force in the axial direction of the spindle. Applications for the invention can be found in space travel, particularly in the context of solar generator unfolding systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2006
    Assignee: Astrium GmbH
    Inventors: Martin Roth, Leonhard Stielner, Axel Stöckle
  • System for the optical detection of a distant object
    Publication number: 20050224702
    Abstract: A system is described for the optical detection of a distant object, having a light beam generating device for generating a parallel light beam, a scanning unit for generating a scan pattern by deflecting the parallel light beam over a defined angular range, and a detector unit for detecting light reflected by the distant object. The scanning unit includes a rotating polygonal mirror with several reflecting partial mirror surfaces. The light beam generating device is provided for generating a parallel light beam in two different beam positions which, in response to a rotating position indicating signal indicating the rotating position of the polygonal mirror, can be switched over from a partial mirror surface to an adjacent partial mirror surface. Accordingly, a system is provided for the optical direction of a distant object, which system has a high capacity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 3, 2004
    Publication date: October 13, 2005
    Applicant: EADS Astrium GmbH
    Inventors: Jess Koehler, Wolfgang Holota
  • Process for transmitting status messages to terminals of a satellite data transmission system, in particular in a satellite navigation system
    Patent number: 6944534
    Abstract: Process for transmitting status messages to user terminals of a satellite data transmission system that transmits data formed as navigation blocks. The process includes reserving at least one selected data area in the navigation data blocks, splitting status messages into status data blocks that are smaller than the navigation data blocks, inserting the status data blocks into consecutive reserved data areas of the navigation data blocks and inserting, when the status messages are modified, modification message data blocks into subsequent reserved data areas of the navigation data blocks in place of one or more status data blocks of the status messages. The instant abstract is neither intended to define the invention disclosed in this specification nor intended to limit the scope of the invention in any way.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2005
    Assignee: EADS Astrium GmbH
    Inventor: Hans Trautenberg
  • Deployable antenna reflector
    Patent number: 6930654
    Abstract: A deployable antenna reflector comprising a central dish and a plurality of deployable sheet-like panels arranged around the central dish. The reflector further comprises a central supporting body, whereon the central dish is fixedly mounted and whereto the deployable sheet-like panels are hinged. The rotation axes of the individual deployable sheet-like panels are tilted with respect to the center point of the central dish. In the stowed configuration of the reflector, the deployable sheet-like panels are at least partially deflected in order to minimize the envelope of the reflector and that the panels relax upon deployment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2005
    Assignee: Astrium GmbH
    Inventors: Manfred Schmid, Dietmar Scheulen, Reiner Barho, Peter Weimer
  • Combined earth/star sensor system and method for determining the orbit and position of spacecraft
    Patent number: 6917025
    Abstract: A combined earth-star sensor system (1) for three-axis attitude determination of satellites in space comprises separate apertures with different directions of observation and common image pickup devices (4) for the earth sensor and the star sensor. A common optical arrangement (2) for earth observation and start observation, and a deflection mirror (3) for derivation of the laterally entering light from the earth, to the common optical arrangement (2) may be provided. In one focal plane there is a focal plane sensor with an array of image pickup devices (4) with the integration time being controllable. An evaluation unit determines the orbit and the attitude of the space vehicle from the attitude and movement of the stars and of the rim of the earth in the focal plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2005
    Assignee: Astrium GmbH
    Inventors: Hermann Diehl, Willi Platz, Helmut Zinner, Evelyne Gottzein
  • Suppression of interference in digital frequency synthesis, more particularly in a time reference of a navigation signal transmitting device
    Publication number: 20050123078
    Abstract: Described is an arrangement for digital frequency synthesis with a device for phase quantization and a device for amplitude quantization, based on a reference clock and a phase increment value, wherein the device for phase quantization is followed in the signal path by a device for noise shaping of the phase. In addition, a device for noise shaping of the amplitude is provided, which follows the device for amplitude quantization in the signal path. The instant abstract is neither intended to define the invention disclosed in this specification nor intended to limit the scope of the invention in any way.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 5, 2004
    Publication date: June 9, 2005
    Applicant: EADS Astrium GmbH
    Inventor: Dirk Felbach
  • Dynamic yaw steering method for spacecrafts
    Publication number: 20050103941
    Abstract: A method for yaw steering a spacecraft including performing yaw steering of the spacecraft to have a yaw angle (?) for all sun elevation angles (?). The method further including smoothing a yaw steering motion for orbital position parameters (?) where high rotational rates {dot over (?)} and high rotational accelerations {umlaut over (?)} would occur. The instant abstract is neither intended to define the invention disclosed in this specification nor intended to limit the scope of the invention in any way.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 20, 2004
    Publication date: May 19, 2005
    Applicant: EADS ASTRIUM GMBH
    Inventors: Klaus Ebert, Wilfried Oesterlin