Patents Assigned to Space
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Publication number: 20240128655Abstract: A microwave prism is used to repoint an operational Direct-to-Home (DTH) or Very Small Aperture Terminal (VSAT) reflector antenna as part of a ground terminal to receive (or transmit) signals from a different satellite or orbital position without physically moving the reflector or the feed horn antenna. The microwave prism operates by shifting the radiated fields from the horn antenna generally perpendicular to the focal axis of the parabolic reflector in order to cause the main beam of the reflector to scan in response. For an existing reflector antenna receiving signals from an incumbent satellite, a prism has been designed to be snapped into place over the feed horn and shift the fields laterally by a calibrated distance. The structure of the prism is designed to be positioned and oriented correctly without the use of skilled labor.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 12, 2023Publication date: April 18, 2024Applicant: All.Space Networks LimitedInventors: Jeremiah P. Turpin, John Finney
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Patent number: 11958639Abstract: A supporting frame for aerospace applications comprises a plurality of rods, which are arranged along two bases substantially parallel and opposite each other, and along two sides, which are substantially parallel and opposite to each other and are coupled to each other via the two bases; the rods are coupled to each other in a mutually rotating manner by nodes so as to be able to configure the supporting frame between a deployed operating condition and a compacted operating condition; the nodes are spaced apart from one another in the deployed operating condition and are each hinged to at least two of the rods; in the compacted operating condition, each of the nodes is placed side by side with two adjacent nodes so as to form, together, two supporting members arranged at opposite longitudinal ends of the supporting frame and each being ring-shaped.Type: GrantFiled: December 5, 2019Date of Patent: April 16, 2024Assignee: Thales Alenia Space Italia S.p.A. Con Unico SocioInventors: Stefano Ferroni, Antonia Simone, Marco Nebiolo
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Patent number: 11958638Abstract: A solar array system associated with a spacecraft includes a solar array blanket portion moveable from a stowed configuration into a deployed configuration, an extendable frame coupled to the spacecraft and the blanket portion and moveable from at least a collapsed configuration into an extended configuration to move the solar array blanket portion from the stowed configuration into the deployed configuration, and at least one biasing member extending across an exterior portion of a first hinge assembly that is configured to bias at least a portion of the extendable frame into the deployed configuration.Type: GrantFiled: May 14, 2020Date of Patent: April 16, 2024Assignee: Space Exploration Technologies Corp.Inventors: Whitcomb T. Ratcliff, Joseph Fitzgerald
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Patent number: 11962272Abstract: A solar array structure for a spacecraft includes one or a pair of flexible blanket or other foldable solar arrays (such as flexible panels) and a deployable frame structure. The deployable frame structure includes a T-shaped yoke structure, a T-shaped end structure, and one or more rigid beams, the T-shaped yoke structure connectable to the spacecraft. When deployed, the frame structure tensions the flexible blanket solar array or arrays between the T-shaped yoke structure and the T-shaped end structure. When stowed, the flexible blanket solar array or arrays are folded in an accordion manner to form a stowed pack or packs between the cross-member arms of the T-shaped yoke structure and the T-shaped end structure, also stowed in its own Z-fold arrangement. The cross-member arms of the T-shaped end structure can include a solar array that can provide power before deployment while the flexible blanket solar array is stowed.Type: GrantFiled: August 11, 2022Date of Patent: April 16, 2024Assignee: Maxar Space LLCInventor: Varouj Baghdasarian
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Patent number: 11958636Abstract: In a method of facilitating flight operations, a payload is coupled to a spacecraft via a payload interface. The relative alignment of the payload and the spacecraft is dynamically adjusted (e.g., for thrust alignment) while the payload remains coupled to the spacecraft.Type: GrantFiled: May 3, 2022Date of Patent: April 16, 2024Assignee: MOMENTUS SPACE LLCInventors: Matthew Parman, Joel Sercel, Mikhail Kokorich, James Small, Nicholas Simon, Nathan Orr, Samuel Avery, Scott Stanley
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Patent number: 11961247Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an image-based component measurement system using a light unit that outputs a variable wavelength, a method thereof, and a plant cultivation method using the same. More specifically, the present disclosure provides an image-based component measurement system using a light unit that outputs a variable wavelength, a method thereof, and a plant cultivation method using the same, which collect and analyze data based on image information acquired by emitting light having a specific wavelength using a sheet on which a plurality of quantum dots which can be controlled to have a wavelength necessary for measuring a configuration component of a target object are arranged. Thus, the system and methods are able to measure component content contained in the target object using a low cost and miniaturized device, and cultivate a plant by adjusting content of nutrients of the plant using the measured component content.Type: GrantFiled: May 5, 2021Date of Patent: April 16, 2024Assignee: SHERPA SPACE INC.Inventor: Choamun Yun
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Patent number: 11959180Abstract: An anticorrosion coating and an article coated with an anticorrosion coating, especially for use in an aircraft, and a method of producing a coated article and a vehicle, especially an aircraft, including an anticorrosion coating or at least one such coated article. An anticorrosion coating includes an aluminum alloy having 0.03-0.5% by weight of tin. A coated article produced at least partly from a material and having at least partly been coated with the anticorrosion coating including an aluminum alloy having 0.03-0.5% by weight of tin. A method of producing the anticorrosion coating is also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: March 16, 2021Date of Patent: April 16, 2024Assignees: Airbus Operations GmbH, Airbus Defence and Space GmbHInventors: Carsten Blawert, Florian Gehrig, Tillmann Doerr, Bettina Kröger-Kallies, Oliver Rohr, Mikhail Zheludkevich, Maria del Rosario Silva Campos, Michael Störmer
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Patent number: 11959699Abstract: In an aspect, a system comprises a water stream in fluid communication with an electrolyzer; the electrolyzer comprising an anode and a cathode side chamber; a deep space oxygen radiator in fluid communication with the anode side chamber of the electrolyzer; a cryogenic heat exchanger comprising an oxygen storage tank in fluid communication with the deep space oxygen radiator; an electrochemical hydrogen compressor in fluid communication with the cathode side chamber; a hydrogen storage tank in fluid communication with the electrochemical hydrogen compressor via a cooled hydrogen stream; wherein at least a portion of the cooled hydrogen stream is in a first fluid communication with an expansion valve and the cryogenic heat exchanger; wherein the hydrogen storage tank is in a second fluid communication with the electrochemical hydrogen compressor via a warmed hydrogen stream; and wherein the cryogenic heat exchanger is in fluid communication with the warmed hydrogen stream.Type: GrantFiled: March 1, 2021Date of Patent: April 16, 2024Assignees: ETA SPACE LLC, SKYRE, INC.Inventors: Trent M. Molter, Robert Roy, William Notardonato
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Patent number: 11962032Abstract: An assembly for supplying power to an aircraft is disclosed having at least one battery housed in a respective housing, each housing comprising a wall in which a through-opening is arranged, and an exhaust device including a discharge duct connecting each housing opening to a common discharge port, a valve mounted on each opening. Each valve includes a membrane arranged so as to seal the opening closed and having a surface of pressure application towards the inside of the housing and a surface of pressure application towards the outside of the housing. The surface of pressure application towards the outside of the housing is larger than the surface of pressure application towards the inside of the housing, so that the membrane bursts at a bursting pressure inside the housing that is lower than a bursting pressure reached outside the housing.Type: GrantFiled: July 27, 2021Date of Patent: April 16, 2024Assignee: AIRBUS DEFENCE AND SPACE SASInventors: Julien Bergery, Dimitry Loubere
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Publication number: 20240116123Abstract: The present disclosure provides a system for printing at least a portion of a three-dimensional (3D) object. The system may comprise a source of at least one feedstock, a support for supporting at least a portion of the 3D object, a feeder for directing at least one feedstock from the source towards the support, and a power supply for supplying electrical current. The system may comprise a controller operatively coupled to the power supply. The controller may receive a computational representation of the 3D object. The controller may direct the at least one feedstock through a feeder towards the support and may direct electrical current through the at least one feedstock and into the support. The controller may subject such feedstock to Joule heating such that at least a portion of such feedstock may deposit adjacent to the support, thereby printing the 3D object in accordance with the computational representation.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 11, 2023Publication date: April 11, 2024Applicant: Relativity Space, Inc.Inventors: Paul Burke, Mateo Pena Doll
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Publication number: 20240116657Abstract: In accordance with at least one aspect of this disclosure, a life support system (LSS) for a spacecraft includes a gas accumulator configured to store a gas, the gas accumulator including a non-metallic inner lining. A fluid processor is fluidly connected to the gas accumulator configured to produce one or more life sustaining fluids from at least the gas. A supply conduit can be fluidly connected to the fluid processor configured to supply the one or more life sustaining fluids to one or more portions of the spacecraft.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 7, 2022Publication date: April 11, 2024Applicant: Hamilton Sundstrand Space Systems International, Inc.Inventor: Yehia F. Khalil
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Publication number: 20240116622Abstract: An aerospace vehicle system, preferably including one or more capsules, and optionally including one or more propulsion modules and/or safety modules. A capsule, preferably including a pressure vessel including a structural frame and one or more windows, and optionally including a cabin. In alternate embodiments, the system can additionally or alternatively function as a terrestrial vehicle, a watercraft, and/or any other suitable vehicle. A method of operation, preferably including operating the aerospace vehicle system in flight, while maintaining a pressure differential between the pressure vessel interior and an environment surrounding the system.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 15, 2023Publication date: April 11, 2024Applicant: Space Perspective Inc.Inventors: Rodger Farley, Jane Poynter, Taber MacCallum, Daniel James Window, Nicholas Adrian Moyes
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Publication number: 20240117501Abstract: A system includes an oxidative combustion reactor configured to receive solid organic waste and O2, and to output a combined stream of H2O and CO2. A separator is configured to receive the combined stream of H2O and CO2 from the combustion reactor and to separately output a stream of CO2 and a stream of H2O. A Sabatier reactor is operatively connected to receive CO2 from the separator and to receive H2 from an H2 source, and to output gaseous CH4.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 7, 2022Publication date: April 11, 2024Applicant: Hamilton Sundstrand Space Systems International, Inc.Inventor: Yehia F. Khalil
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Patent number: 11953636Abstract: Embodiments relate to data acquisition units or nodes and more specifically to seismic data acquisition units or nodes for use in data gathering for ambient noise tomography (ANT). Some embodiments relate to a method for data acquisition, and systems employing one or more data acquisition units. Some embodiments relate to systems comprising one or more satellites in communication with one or more data acquisition units for communication to a remote server, for remote storage, and processing for creating sub-surface tomography images accessible to client devices.Type: GrantFiled: September 9, 2022Date of Patent: April 9, 2024Assignee: Fleet Space Technologies Pty LtdInventors: Braeden James Borg, Matthew James Pearson
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Patent number: 11953579Abstract: A transmitter device of a bi-static or multi-static radar system is disclosed and implemented for aerial surveillance. The transmitter device is intended to be on board a satellite orbiting the Earth. Once in orbit, the transmitter device is configured to obtain information relating to a region of interest monitored by at least one receiver device of the radar system, and to transmit a signal in a radio beam illuminating at least one portion of the region of interest.Type: GrantFiled: September 7, 2021Date of Patent: April 9, 2024Assignee: AIRBUS DEFENCE AND SPACE SASInventors: Nicolas Jeannin, Frédéric Voulouzan, Philippe Bertheux
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Patent number: 11951403Abstract: Disclosed herein are system, method, and computer program product embodiments for assessing performance of a player of a game. An embodiment operates by monitoring for an input from the player of the game, receiving the input from the player of the game, and determining a characteristic of the game resulting from the input from the player. Based on the input from the player, a performance of the player is assessed. The performance of the player relating to one or more metrics of the game is monitored, and is assessed by comparing the input from the player during the period of time to an optimal input during the period of time in the game.Type: GrantFiled: January 20, 2023Date of Patent: April 9, 2024Assignee: STATE SPACE LABS, INC.Inventors: Jason R. Fuller, David J. Heeger, Wayne E Mackey
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Patent number: 11952967Abstract: Various embodiments of a vortex hybrid motor are described herein. In some embodiments, the vortex hybrid motor may include a housing with a solid propellant positioned within the housing, and an injector ring positioned at a proximal end of the housing. The injector ring can include a plurality of angled injector units each including a first injector and a second injector angled towards an impingement point. A first fluid stream of a liquid propellant dispensed from the first injector can collide with a second fluid stream of the liquid propellant dispensed from the second injector to atomize the liquid propellant and form a spray fan formation. At least one of the first injector and the second injector can be positioned at an injection angle relative to the sidewall to create a swirl flow of the atomized injector fluid.Type: GrantFiled: August 19, 2021Date of Patent: April 9, 2024Assignee: Sierra Space CorporationInventors: Brian Richard Pomeroy, Martin John Chiaverini, Jesse Morgan Warrick, William Zach Hallum, Nicholas Ryan Walker
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Patent number: 11951684Abstract: A three-dimensional print head apparatus may include a securing mechanism, a hopper, a nozzle, a heating system, and a fume extraction system. The securing mechanism may be adapted to secure to a wrist joint of a robotic arm. The hopper may have a cavity and a lower aperture and may be secured to the securing mechanism. The nozzle may have an upper aperture and a lower aperture. The heating system may be positioned along the barrel.Type: GrantFiled: January 14, 2022Date of Patent: April 9, 2024Assignee: Sidus Space, Inc.Inventors: Ivan Townsend, Robert Mueller, Nathan Gelino, Jonathan Smith, Matthew Nugent, Andrew Nick, Jason Schuler, Bradley Buckles
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Patent number: 11956134Abstract: The disclosure provides a multi-link receiving method and a multi-link receiver. The method includes the following. A reference delay range of a j-th data section is determined according to a preset delay time and a receiving time point of the j-th data section of an i-th data frame. In response to determining that the j-th data section is first received among an N number of data sections of the i-th data frame, the reference delay range of the j-th data section is taken as a designated delay range. In response to determining that receiving time points of the data sections of the i-th data frame are each within the designated delay range, the i-th data frame is restored based on the N number of data sections of the i-th data frame.Type: GrantFiled: November 19, 2021Date of Patent: April 9, 2024Assignee: Ufi Space co., Ltd.Inventor: Yu-Min Wang
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Patent number: 11955334Abstract: A vapor phase epitaxy method of growing a III-V layer with a doping profile that changes from a p-doping to an n-doping on a surface of a substrate or a preceding layer from the vapor phase from an epitaxial gas flow, at least one first precursor for an element of main group III, and at least one second precursor for an element of main group V. When a first growth height is reached, a first initial doping level is set by means of a ratio of a first mass flow of the first precursor to a second mass flow of the second precursor in the epitaxial gas flow, and subsequently, by stepwise or continuously changing the ratio of the first mass flow to the second mass flow and by stepwise or continuously increasing a mass flow of a third precursor for an n-type dopant in the epitaxial gas flow.Type: GrantFiled: December 21, 2020Date of Patent: April 9, 2024Assignee: AZUR SPACE Solar Power GmbHInventors: Gregor Keller, Clemens Waechter, Thorsten Wierzkowski