Patents Assigned to MMA Design, LLC
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Patent number: 10826157Abstract: The invention is directed to deployable reflectarray antenna structure. In one embodiment, the deployable reflectarray antenna structure includes a pair of flexible electrical elements, a feed antenna, and a deployment mechanism that employs a plurality of tapes to respectively transition the pair of flexible electrical elements from an undeployed state in which the elements are folded towards a deployed state in which the deployment mechanism and electrical elements cooperate to form a reflectarray and a subreflector of a reflectarray antenna structure. Further, the deployment mechanism also operates to position the reflectarray and subreflector relative to one another and to the feed antenna so as to realize a reflectarray antenna structure.Type: GrantFiled: March 18, 2019Date of Patent: November 3, 2020Assignee: MMA Design, LLCInventors: Thomas J. Harvey, Toby J. Harvey, Leslie A. Seal
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Patent number: 10773833Abstract: A panel structure for use in a deployable and cantilevered solar array structure is provided. A panel includes first and second planar panel sections and an intermediate panel section connecting the first and second sections. The planar panel sections are capable of being situated with respect to one another so as to have a V-tent-like shape when the panel is in a deployed state and to be coplanar when the panel is in a stowed state. When in the V-tent-like shape, the intermediate section of the panel extends in a straight line that is collinear or parallel to the longitudinal axis of the cantilevered solar array structure when deployed. The V-tent-like shape produces A panel structure that has a relatively high moment of inertia, is stiff, and can provide a large area for supporting solar cells.Type: GrantFiled: July 30, 2014Date of Patent: September 15, 2020Assignee: MMA DESIGN, LLCInventors: Thomas Jeffrey Harvey, Toby Justin Harvey, Ryan M. VanHalle
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Publication number: 20190280364Abstract: The invention is directed to deployable reflectarray antenna structure. In one embodiment, the deployable reflectarray antenna structure includes a pair of flexible electrical elements, a feed antenna, and a deployment mechanism that employs a plurality of tapes to respectively transition the pair of flexible electrical elements from an undeployed state in which the elements are folded towards a deployed state in which the deployment mechanism and electrical elements cooperate to form a reflectarray and a subreflector of a reflectarray antenna structure. Further, the deployment mechanism also operates to position the reflectarray and subreflector relative to one another and to the feed antenna so as to realize a reflectarray antenna structure.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 18, 2019Publication date: September 12, 2019Applicant: MMA Design, LLCInventors: Thomas J. Harvey, Toby J. Harvey, Leslie A. Seal
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Publication number: 20190214702Abstract: The invention is directed to deployable reflectarray antenna structure. In one embodiment, the deployable reflectarray antenna structure includes a pair of flexible electrical elements, a feed antenna, and a deployment mechanism that employs a plurality of tapes to respectively transition the pair of flexible electrical elements from an undeployed state in which the elements are folded towards a deployed state in which the deployment mechanism and electrical elements cooperate to form a reflectarray and a subreflector of a reflectarray antenna structure. Further, the deployment mechanism also operates to position the reflectarray and subreflector relative to one another and to the feed antenna so as to realize a reflectarray antenna structure.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 18, 2019Publication date: July 11, 2019Applicant: MMA Design, LLCInventors: Thomas J. Harvey, Toby J. Harvey, Leslie A. Seal
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Patent number: 10283835Abstract: A deployable structure for use in establishing a reflectarray antenna is provided that includes a flexible reflectarray and a deployment structure that includes an endless pantograph for deploying the flexible reflectarray from a folded, undeployed state towards a deployed state in which the flexible reflectarray is substantially planar. In a particular embodiment, the deployment structure includes a plurality of tapes that engage the endless pantograph and are used to establish a positional relationship between the deployed reflectarray and another component of the reflectarray antenna.Type: GrantFiled: September 26, 2016Date of Patent: May 7, 2019Assignee: MMA Design, LLCInventors: Thomas J. Harvey, Toby J. Harvey, Mitchell T. Wiens, Mark A. Bailey, Shane E. Stamm, Christopher A. Pelzmann
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Patent number: 10263316Abstract: The invention is directed to deployable reflectarray antenna structure. In one embodiment, the deployable reflectarray antenna structure includes a pair of flexible electrical elements, a feed antenna, and a deployment mechanism that employs a plurality of tapes to respectively transition the pair of flexible electrical elements from an undeployed state in which the elements are folded towards a deployed state in which the deployment mechanism and electrical elements cooperate to form a reflectarray and a subreflector of a reflectarray antenna structure. Further, the deployment mechanism also operates to position the reflectarray and subreflector relative to one another and to the feed antenna so as to realize a reflectarray antenna structure.Type: GrantFiled: February 17, 2015Date of Patent: April 16, 2019Assignee: MMA Design, LLCInventors: Thomas J. Harvey, Toby J. Harvey, Leslie A. Seal
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Patent number: 9550584Abstract: A deployable thin membrane apparatus for use with a spacecraft is provided. The apparatus includes a flexible membrane structure and a deployment mechanism for transitioning the membrane structure from an undeployed state towards a deployed state in which the membrane can perform a function needed by a spacecraft. In one embodiment, the deployment mechanism includes a plurality of pantographs that each engage the membrane structure, a rotatable disk structure that engages and coordinates the transition of the pantographs from an undeployed state towards a deployed state, and a spring system for providing energy that is used to rotate the disk structure.Type: GrantFiled: December 8, 2014Date of Patent: January 24, 2017Assignee: MMA Design, LLCInventors: Thomas Jeffrey Harvey, Shane Eric Stamm
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Publication number: 20160197394Abstract: The invention is directed to deployable reflectarray antenna structure. In one embodiment, the deployable reflectarray antenna structure includes a pair of flexible electrical elements, a feed antenna, and a deployment mechanism that employs a plurality of tapes to respectively transition the pair of flexible electrical elements from an undeployed state in which the elements are folded towards a deployed state in which the deployment mechanism and electrical elements cooperate to form a reflectarray and a subreflector of a reflectarray antenna structure. Further, the deployment mechanism also operates to position the reflectarray and subreflector relative to one another and to the feed antenna so as to realize a reflectarray antenna structure.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 17, 2015Publication date: July 7, 2016Applicant: MMA DESIGN, LLCInventors: Thomas J. Harvey, Toby J. Harvey, Leslie A. Seal
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Patent number: 8905357Abstract: A thin membrane structure for stabilizing a spacecraft is provided. The spacecraft has a first end and a second end. The spacecraft has a center of pressure and a center of gravity. The thin membrane structure comprises a module secured to the spacecraft and a structure having a polygonal base and a plurality of triangular side panels meeting in a point opposite the base with the point secured to the module. Prior to deployment, the structure is entirely contained within the module. Subsequent to deployment, the structure expands to a pyramidal shape with the distance between the center of pressure and the center of gravity increasing to a length greater than approximately one-half the length of the spacecraft.Type: GrantFiled: September 30, 2010Date of Patent: December 9, 2014Assignee: MMA Design, LLCInventors: Thomas Jeffrey Harvey, Shane Eric Stamm
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Patent number: 8814099Abstract: A Deployable Morphing Modular Solar Array (DMMSA) for deploying Deployable Morphing Modular Solar Power Assemblies (DMMSPAs) from a spacecraft is provided. The DMMSA comprises a Root Staging and Deployment Mechanism (RSDM) mounted to a spacecraft. A plurality of petal assemblies are rotatably secured to the RSDM with each petal assembly having at least DMMSPA secured thereon and each DMMSPA having a slight V-configuration. A launch restraint assembly stacks and sandwiches the petal assemblies prior to deployment with the launch restraint assembly pre-loading each petal assembly's one or more DMMSPA into a substantially flat configuration. Upon release of the launch restraint assembly, the stacked and sandwiched petal assemblies rotate relative to the spacecraft and each petal assemblies DMMSPA elastically morphs from the substantially flat configuration into the slight V-configuration.Type: GrantFiled: August 30, 2011Date of Patent: August 26, 2014Assignee: MMA Design, LLCInventors: Thomas Jeffrey Harvey, Toby Justin Harvey
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Patent number: 8757554Abstract: A deployable and tracked solar array mechanism for restraining and releasing deployable solar panel arrays on a spacecraft is provided. The mechanism comprises a solar array drive mountable to the top side surface of the spacecraft. A solar panel array is pivotally attached to the solar array drive and positionable against the spacecraft. At least one notch is formed in at least one of the side edges of the solar panel array. A frame is slidably mounted to the spacecraft around the solar panel array. At least one tab extends from the frame over the solar panel array and releasably restrains the solar panel array. A spring mechanism urges the frame in a direction generally away from the solar array drive assembly.Type: GrantFiled: September 8, 2010Date of Patent: June 24, 2014Assignee: MMA Design, LLCInventors: Thomas Jeffrey Harvey, Matthew John DeVito