Patents Assigned to Space Systems
  • Motor control apparatus, motor control method, motor system, and computer-readable medium
    Patent number: 8957620
    Abstract: A motor control apparatus that controls the rotational angle of a motor (111) which drives a rotating body (112) includes a synchronizing means (200) for generating and outputting an interrupt signal (700) based on an external reference signal (600) input from outside and a rotating body reference signal (500) generated by the rotating body, and a controlling means (300) for computing a command value for making the rotational angle of the motor follow a target rotational angle and outputting the command value to the motor each time the interrupt signal is inputted. The synchronizing means (200) changes the output period of the interrupt signal (700) in accordance with a time difference between the external reference signal (600) and the rotating body reference signal (500).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2015
    Assignees: NEC Corporation, NEC TOSHIBA Space Systems, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshiho Yanagita, Kazuhiko Aoki, Toshihiro Kurii
  • REDUNDANT SEAL ASSEMBLIES FOR MISALIGNED CONDUITS
    Publication number: 20150042087
    Abstract: A seal assembly for accommodating misaligned conduits includes a first conduit, a second conduit, and a cup member. The first conduit has a first end and an opposed second end with a core. The core includes a spherical portion includes two separate seals axially spaced apart from one another relative to a longitudinal axis defined by the first conduit. An internal passage extends through the first conduit from the first end to the second end. The second conduit has opposed first and second ends. The first end of the second conduit defines a first socket portion and an internal passage extends through from the first end to the second end of the conduit. A cup member defines a second socket portion, which together with the first socket portion, defines a socket for sealably capturing the core spherical portion and accommodating axial misalignment of the first and second conduits.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 3, 2014
    Publication date: February 12, 2015
    Applicant: Hamilton Sundstrand Space Systems International, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark A. Zaffetti, Robert H. Howe, James R. O' Coin
  • Dual mode dielectric resonator operating in a HE mode with a Q factor no less than 5000
    Patent number: 8952769
    Abstract: A dual mode dielectric resonator (DR) filter has a first DR, and is configured to operate at a HE12? mode within a first frequency band while exhibiting a Q factor of no less than 5000. A first characteristic size of the first DR may be substantially similar to a size of a second DR, where the second DR is configured to operate in a conventional DR filter at a HE11? mode within a second frequency band, the second frequency band being substantially lower than the first frequency band.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Assignee: Space Systems/Loral, LLC
    Inventors: Stephen D. Berry, Stephen C. Holme, Slawomir J. Fiedziuszko
  • Deployable antenna
    Patent number: 8922456
    Abstract: A deployable antenna which has a larger aperture diameter by four-side links provided in at least three stages and which includes: six deployment link mechanisms (20) arranged radially from a central shaft so as to support an outer edge portion of a flexible reflector mirror surface; and one deployment driving mechanism (30) arranged at a lower portion of a center of arrangement of the six deployment link mechanisms, for unfolding the six deployment link mechanisms. Each of the six deployment link mechanisms includes a first four-side link (5), a second four-side link (6), and a third four-side link (7) arranged in an order from a position of the central shaft, around which the six deployment link mechanisms are arranged, toward an outer side of the each of the six deployment link mechanisms so that the each of the six deployment link mechanisms is structured to be foldable in three stages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Assignees: NEC TOSHIBA Space Systems, Ltd., Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency
    Inventors: Minoru Tabata, Kiyoshi Fujii, Kyoji Shintate, Satoru Ozawa
  • Method of making a reinforced resin structure
    Patent number: 8916075
    Abstract: A method of making a reinforced resin structure is disclosed. A volume of uncured resin compound is placed on a first outer surface of a carrier structure comprising a plurality of fibers. The uncured resin compound and the carrier structure are pressed between two cooperating plates to disperse the resin compound into and through a plurality of passages between the plurality of fibers. The dispersed resin compound is cured to fix the resin within the plurality of passages and around the plurality of fibers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2014
    Assignee: Hamilton Sundstrand Space Systems International, Inc.
    Inventors: William F. Oehler, Wayne J. Caillouette
  • Hold-down mechanism for a spacecraft appendage
    Patent number: 8915473
    Abstract: A hold-down mechanism for a steerable spacecraft appendage, the appendage being coupled to a spacecraft structure with a positioning mechanism, is configured (1) to support, when in a hold-down mode, the appendage at a first position substantially fixed with respect to the spacecraft; (ii) release, upon receipt of a signal, the appendage, thereby enabling the positioning mechanism to steer the spacecraft appendage; and (iii) retract from the appendage without regard to whether the appendage remains substantially in the first position. The first position may result in the spacecraft appendage being aligned in a nominal operating location and orientation, so that the antenna positioning mechanism is not required to initially deploy or otherwise reorient the appendage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2014
    Assignee: Space Systems/Loral, LLC
    Inventor: Varouj G. Baghdasarian
  • Solar panel sequencing mechanism
    Patent number: 8915474
    Abstract: A deployable solar panel array featuring in-line solar panels and side solar panels, where the side solar panels are configured to deploy in a staggered fashion after deployment of the in-line panels. A passive deployment mechanism governs the deployment sequence.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2014
    Assignee: Space Systems/Loral, LLC
    Inventors: Varouj G. Baghdasarian, Alan J. Szeto
  • RF feed element design optimization using secondary pattern
    Patent number: 8914258
    Abstract: An RF feed element for an antenna system required to comply with a set of specified secondary pattern characteristics is designed by performing a quantitative optimization of the RF feed element directly with respect to the secondary pattern characteristics. The quantitative optimization may include pre-computing a plurality of partial secondary pattern complex field values. Each partial secondary pattern may be associated with an RF feed element modal beamlet. A value of at least one to-be-optimized feature is optimized by iteratively adjusting the value of the to-be-optimized feature(s) within an optimization loop that iteratively computes secondary pattern characteristics and compares them to the specified secondary pattern characteristics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2014
    Assignee: Space Systems/Loral, LLC
    Inventor: Peter S. Simon
  • Imaging zoom for wide field-of-view imaging spectrometer
    Patent number: 8913233
    Abstract: An imaging system comprises a wide field of view (FOV) telescope, a narrow FOV telescope, a spectrometer, an imaging detector, an image slicer, and a selection mechanism. The wide FOV telescope is configured to produce a one-dimensional optical image of a broad field of view (FOV) F. The narrow FOV telescope is configured to produce a two-dimensional optical image of a narrow FOV f. The spectrometer is configured to produce a spectrum of a one-dimensional image, and the imaging detector is configured to capture that spectrum. The image slicer is configured to break the two-dimensional optical image into a series of one-dimensional segments. The selection mechanism operable in either of two modes: a wide FOV mode transmitting the one-dimensional optical image to the spectrometer, and a zoom mode transmitting a one-dimensional concatenation of the series of one-dimensional segments to the spectrometer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2014
    Assignee: Hamilton Sundstrand Space Systems International, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian M. Sutin, Richard A. Heppner
  • Electrostatic discharge control for a multi-cavity microwave filter
    Patent number: 8907742
    Abstract: A multi-cavity RF filter has at least one electrically conductive coupling probe disposed between two resonator cavities. The coupling probe is provided with an ESD protective arrangement such that the coupling probe is electrically connected to a metallic housing of the RF filter only by the ESD protective arrangement. The ESD protective arrangement is configured to provide (i) a low resistance electrical path from the coupling probe to the metallic housing and (ii) a high impedance to RF energy having wavelengths proximate to a center frequency wavelength of the RF filter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Assignee: Space Systems/Loral, LLC
    Inventors: Stephen D. Berry, Stephen C. Holme, Slawomir J. Fiedziuszko
  • Flexible array support structure
    Patent number: 8894017
    Abstract: Extensible solar arrays configured to support one or more rollable solar panel units and that feature yoke segments and array segments that are configured to be stowed with their long axes substantially parallel to a spacecraft's roll axis. The yoke segments and array segments may be transitioned to a deployed configuration where the yoke segments are substantially perpendicular to the position the yoke segments were in in the stowed configuration, and the array segments are substantially perpendicular to the yoke segments. Some implementations of the extensible solar arrays may also include a rigid solar panel supported by one of the yoke segments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2014
    Assignee: Space Systems/Loral, LLC
    Inventor: Varouj G. Baghdasarian
  • Segmented deployable boom structure for space applications
    Patent number: 8893442
    Abstract: A long, elastically deployable tubular boom structure consisting of two or more thin-walled booms with a continuous longitudinal slit-opening along its entire length on the backside and a composite reinforced or metallic construction. The slit-opening, thin-walled tubular section accompanied by the boom elastic properties and unique fastening method between the boom segments allows the segmented boom to be flattened and then rolled up into an extremely compact cylindrical stowage volume. The boom elastically and immediately deploys from a rolled stowed configuration under its own strain energy without use of a motor or other complicated actuators/mechanisms. The segmented construction of multiple tube elements allows for unlimited boom lengths and enables unlimited structure scaling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2014
    Assignee: Deployable Space Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian R. Spence, Steve F. White, Mark V. Douglas, Kevin B. Schmid, Donald G. R. Carter
  • Antenna Array with Reduced Mutual Coupling Between Array Elements
    Publication number: 20140340271
    Abstract: An array of antenna feed elements includes a plurality of horns, each horn having an aperture and configured for transmission of electromagnetic energy therethrough. At least a first horn is configured with an electrically conductive external surface proximate to the aperture, the external surface contoured so as to reduce mutual coupling between the first horn and an adjacent horn. Where the electromagnetic energy is within a radio frequency (RF) band, the external surface is contoured so as to provide an abrupt change in a gap dimension between the first horn and an adjacent horn, the change occurring at a distance behind the aperture of equal to a multiple of one half the characteristic wavelength of the RF band.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 16, 2013
    Publication date: November 20, 2014
    Applicant: Space Systems/Loral, LLC
    Inventors: Peter Z. Petkov, Peter S. Simon
  • ISOLATION OF PAYLOAD FROM LAUNCH VEHICLE DYNAMIC LOADS
    Publication number: 20140332632
    Abstract: An adapter arrangement includes a first adapter ring for interfacing with a launch vehicle payload interface ring, a second adapter ring for interfacing with a payload launch vehicle interface ring, and a plurality of vibration isolation devices disposed between and attached to each of the first adapter ring and the second adapter ring. The first adapter ring has a first standard interface with the launch vehicle payload interface ring and the second adapter ring has a second standard interface with the payload launch vehicle interface ring.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 6, 2013
    Publication date: November 13, 2014
    Applicant: Space Systems/Loral, LLC
    Inventors: Robert E. Helmer, Hauke G. Nehrenheim
  • Containment band for permanent magnet generator
    Patent number: 8878409
    Abstract: A rotor has a rotor body for rotation about a shaft. A plurality of permanent magnets are spaced circumferentially about the rotor body. A containment band is positioned radially outwardly of the permanent magnets. The containment band has a containment band coefficient of thermal expansion. The permanent magnets have a permanent magnet coefficient of thermal expansion, taken parallel to a magnetic alignment. A ratio of the containment band coefficient of thermal expansion to the permanent magnet coefficient of thermal expansion is less than or equal to 1.15.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Assignee: Hamilton Sundstrand Space Systems International, Inc.
    Inventors: Craig R. Legros, Roy D. Rasmussen
  • Shape memory alloy pre-loaded deployment hinge
    Patent number: 8876062
    Abstract: Latching or locking deployment hinges are provided that include a shape-memory alloy (SMA) pre-load device configured to induce a pre-load across a contact interface of the latching hinge in a direction substantially perpendicular to the hinge pivot axis when the latching hinge is in a closed condition. The hinges may be sprung or actuated using a powered drive mechanism. Some implementations may feature a sprung latch/hook that is tensioned using the SMA pre-load device. Some other implementations may feature a multi-bar linkage that is tensioned using the SMA pre-load device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Assignee: Space Systems/Loral, LLC
    Inventor: Varouj G. Baghdasarian
  • Monolithic cold plate configuration
    Patent number: 8869877
    Abstract: A cold plate assembly includes a monolithic cold plate which defines a trough located to intersect a fluid path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2014
    Assignee: Hamilton Sundstrand Space Systems International, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark A. Zaffetti, Michael B. Laurin
  • Wide beam antenna
    Patent number: 8872714
    Abstract: A wide beam radio frequency (RF) antenna includes a waveguide and one or more electrically conductive protrusions. The waveguide has at least one electrically conductive interior wall surface, a boresight defined by a longitudinal axis, and an aperture plane, transverse to the longitudinal axis, disposed at a distal end of the waveguide. A first proximal portion of each protrusion is electrically coupled to the electrically conductive interior wall surface, a distal portion of the protrusion being outside the aperture plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2014
    Assignee: Space Systems/Loral, LLC
    Inventor: Behzad Tavassoli Hozouri
  • Spacecraft momentum management using solar array
    Patent number: 8868263
    Abstract: Stored momentum on a spacecraft is managed by determining a target profile of stored momentum as a function of time for the spacecraft; measuring a difference between a momentum value actually stored on the spacecraft and a desired momentum value, where the desired momentum value substantially conforms to the target profile at a particular time; reducing the difference by producing a torque on the spacecraft, where the torque results from selectively controlling at least one solar array position offset angle, the offset angle being an offset of at least one solar array of the spacecraft from a nominal sun pointing direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignee: Space Systems/Loral, LLC
    Inventors: Mohammad Saghir Munir, John Hutton Cooper, Philip Conway Hirschberg
  • Compact FPGA-based digital motor controller
    Patent number: RE45388
    Abstract: A compact field programmable gate array (FPGA)-based digital motor controller (102), a method, and a design structure are provided. The compact FPGA-based digital motor controller (102) includes a sensor interface (206) configured to receive sensor data from one or more sensors (104) and generate conditioned sensor data. The one or more sensors (104) provide position information for a DC brushless motor (108). The compact FPGA-based digital motor controller (102) also includes a commutation control (210) configured to create switching commands to control commutation for the DC brushless motor (108). The commutation control (210) generates commutation pulses from the conditioned sensor data of the sensor interface (206). The compact FPGA-based digital motor controller (102) also includes a time inverter (208) configured to receive the commutation pulses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: Hamilton Sundstrand Space Systems International, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Wichowski, Harold J. Hansen, Kevin G. Hawes