Patents Assigned to Space
  • Patent number: 11220328
    Abstract: An arrangement for mechanically changing a surface includes an insulating layer, a pair of electrodes, which is arranged on or in the insulating layer, and a piezo element, which is arranged on or in the insulating layer. The piezo element is separated from the pair of electrodes by the insulating layer. The pair of electrodes is designed to generate in a region of the piezo element an electric field, which causes the piezo element to carry out a mechanical change of shape, in order in this way to mechanically change a surface of the arrangement. The pair of electrodes is also designed to generate the electric field such that the electric field has a minimum field strength in a surrounding area of the arrangement, in order in this way to generate a plasma in the surrounding area of the arrangement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2022
    Assignee: Airbus Defence and Space GmbH
    Inventors: Stefan Storm, Alois Friedberger, Ralf Caspari
  • Publication number: 20220005942
    Abstract: A vertical high-blocking III-V bipolar transistor, which includes an emitter, a base and a collector. The emitter has a highly doped emitter semiconductor contact region of a first conductivity type and a first lattice constant. The base has a low-doped base semiconductor region of a second conductivity type and the first lattice constant. The collector has a layered low-doped collector semiconductor region of the first conductivity type with a layer thickness greater than 10 ?m and the first lattice constant. The collector has a layered highly doped collector semiconductor contact region of the first conductivity type. A first metallic connecting contact layer is formed in regions being integrally connected to the emitter. A second metallic connecting contact layer is formed in regions being integrally connected to the base. A third metallic connecting contact region is formed at least in regions being arranged beneath the collector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 6, 2021
    Publication date: January 6, 2022
    Applicant: AZUR SPACE Solar Power GmbH
    Inventors: Gregor KELLER, Clemens WAECHTER, Daniel FUHRMANN
  • Patent number: 11218302
    Abstract: A method of data transmission, and more particularly a secure method of data transmission. The method comprises generating and sending a classical data stream and quantum data stream from a source to a destination. The step of generating and sending a classical data stream from the source to the destination comprises encrypting the data stream with the repeated use of a once-seen pad. Observing the quantum data stream received at the destination, may indicate eavesdropping and if so, the classical data stream is modified and sent from the source to the destination, including stopping the repeated use of the once-seen pad. The same once-seen pad may be used a number of times provided no third party has seen data encrypted by the once-seen pad.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2022
    Assignee: AIRBUS DEFENCE AND SPACE LIMITED
    Inventors: Brian Turton, Martin Sharpe
  • Patent number: 11217839
    Abstract: A battery arrangement for structurally integrating batteries in a vehicle, in particular an aircraft or spacecraft, includes at least one battery, two supporting cooling plates between which the at least one battery is held on both sides via battery holders, and connecting rods which connect the two cooling plates to one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2022
    Assignees: Airbus Defence and Space GmbH, Airbus Helicopters Deutschland GmbH
    Inventors: Kristian Zimmermann, Petr Schejbal
  • Patent number: 11213779
    Abstract: An apparatus to separate water droplets from an air stream includes an elongated tube having a first end and a second end. The elongated tube includes an opening at a first end of the elongated tube, the opening may be positioned to accept the air stream. A reservoir is positioned at a second end of the elongated tube. A helix structure is positioned within the elongated tube. The helix structure includes an upper surface, a lower surface arranged opposite the upper surface, an outer edge, and a variable pitch along a length of the elongated tube. The variable pitch may provide a variable interior angle between an inner wall of the elongated tube and the upper surface of the helix structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2022
    Assignee: Sierra Space Corporation
    Inventors: David Michael Hoerr, Ross Remiker, Michael Peterson, Zachary James Setmire, Mark Milton Weislogel, Andrew Wollman
  • Publication number: 20210403181
    Abstract: A system (100) and method (300) for launching multiple satellites from a launch vehicle is provided. The system includes a mechanical structure (102) which has one or more mounting means (104A-F), a control unit (106) for controlling the one or more mounting means for positioning and separating the multiple satellites in the mechanical structure, an image capturing system for monitoring the positioning of each satellite in the mechanical structure. The mounting means are adapted to position the satellites in axial, inclined and radial separations at a distance to ensure that each satellite will not come in contact with each other in short duration as well as long duration of orbit evolution.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2019
    Publication date: December 30, 2021
    Applicant: INDIAN SPACE RESEARCH ORGANISATION
    Inventors: Sowmianarayanan L, Hutton R, Jayakumar B, Anilkumar AK, Negi DEEPAK, Sivan K
  • Patent number: 11210568
    Abstract: In some aspects, there is provided a method for determining a rotational orientation of an object in an image. The image depicts the object in a scene. The method includes providing images depicting the object in the scene to a trained statistical model. The images depict the scene of the image at different rotation angles. A rotation angle of a respective image corresponds to a potential rotational orientation of the object depicted in the respective image. The method further includes, in response to the providing, receiving, for each image, a confidence score indicating a likelihood generated by the trained statistical model that the object is at the potential rotational orientation corresponding to the rotation angle of the respective image. The method further includes determining the rotational orientation of the object in the image based at least in part on an analysis of the confidence scores and respective potential rotational orientations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2021
    Assignee: Ursa Space Systems Inc.
    Inventors: Poppy Gene Immel, Daniela Irina Moody, Meera Ann Desai
  • Patent number: 11211877
    Abstract: A high power generation system for aircraft includes: a non-propulsive mechanical power source turning a permanent magnet generator (PMG) to generate AC electrical power; a high voltage rectifier unit (HVRU) converting the AC electrical power to DC electrical power, and a control unit controlling the rotational speed of the non-propulsive mechanical power source and the HVRU, wherein the HVRU is configured to increase voltage and current of the DC electrical power using at least one winding of the PMG.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2021
    Assignee: AIRBUS DEFENCE AND SPACE, S.A.U.
    Inventor: Daniel Izquierdo Gil
  • Patent number: 11209540
    Abstract: A SAR imaging method for interferometric analyses is provided, including: receiving raw SAR data related to two or more SAR acquisitions of one and the same area of the earth's surface carried out by one or more synthetic aperture radars; and processing the raw SAR data to generate SAR images. For each SAR acquisition, the respective raw SAR data is processed based on two different sets of processing parameters: a first set that is the same for all the SAR acquisitions and which comprises focusing Doppler parameters computed based on physical Doppler parameters related to all the SAR acquisitions; and a second set which comprises respective radiometric equalization Doppler parameters related to the SAR acquisition and computed based on respective physical Doppler parameters related to the SAR acquisition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2021
    Assignee: Thales Alenia Space Italia S.p.A. Con Unico Socio
    Inventors: Diego Calabrese, Fabrizio Impagnatiello
  • Patent number: 11211516
    Abstract: A stack-like III-V semiconductor product comprising a substrate and a sacrificial layer region arranged on an upper side of the substrate and a semiconductor layer arranged on an upper side of the sacrificial layer region. The substrate, the sacrificial layer region and the semiconductor layer region each comprise at least one chemical element from the main groups III and a chemical element from the main group V. The sacrificial layer region differs from the substrate and from the semiconductor layer in at least one element. An etching rate of the sacrificial layer region differs from an etching rate of the substrate and from an etching rate of the semiconductor layer region at least by a factor of ten. The sacrificial layer region is adapted in respect of its lattice to the substrate and to the semiconductor layer region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2021
    Assignee: AZUR SPACE Solar Power GmbH
    Inventor: Gerhard Strobl
  • Patent number: 11206953
    Abstract: A system to create a consumable good utilizing interchangeable ingredients is disclosed in which the system includes an ingredient storage location to hold a plurality of ingredients usable in the consumable good, a selector to gather ingredients selected for inclusion in the consumable good, a mixing device to prepare the ingredients, a processing device to convert the ingredients into the consumable good, and a completion location to at least one of store the consumable good and deliver the consumable good to a user. A method and another system are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2021
    Assignee: REDWIRE SPACE, INC.
    Inventor: Michael Phillip Snyder
  • Patent number: 11211650
    Abstract: A battery comprising a fluid electrolyte, a casing configured to contain the electrolyte, an anode placed in contact with the electrolyte in the casing, and a cathode placed in contact with the electrolyte in the casing. The battery comprises a temperature control device configured to modify the temperature of the electrolyte, a circulating device configured to circulate the electrolyte in the casing and between the casing and the temperature control device. Also, a method for regulating the temperature of a battery in which a fluid electrolyte is circulated in a battery casing comprising an anode and a cathode, and through a temperature control device configured to modify the temperature of the electrolyte.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2021
    Assignee: AIRBUS DEFENCE AND SPACE GMBH
    Inventors: Michael Pilawa, Alexander Ohnesorge, Michael Hofmann, Jürgen Steinwandel
  • Publication number: 20210396866
    Abstract: A localization method for locating a target that is coupled with a locator transponder associated with a permanent identification code permanently assigned to the locator transponder is provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 12, 2019
    Publication date: December 23, 2021
    Applicant: Thales Alenia Space Italia S.p.A. Con Unico Socio
    Inventors: Domenico Giancristofaro, Gianluca Chiarelli
  • Publication number: 20210394175
    Abstract: A surface bio-contamination assay kit (1) comprising a disposable swab cartridge (2) comprising a swab (29); a sampler (3) designed to removably receive the cartridge (2) and to wipe the cartridge swab (29) on a surface to be collect a sampled, along a predetermined sampling path (4) designed to cover a predetermined surface area; and a bio-contamination meter (5) designed to removably receive the cartridge (2) after sampling and to measure bio-contamination of the collected sample on the cartridge (2).
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 3, 2019
    Publication date: December 23, 2021
    Applicants: Thales Alenia Space Italia S.p.A. Con Unico Socio, GL Biocontrol S.A.R.L.
    Inventors: Vincenzo Guarnieri, Ilaria Locantore, Cesare Lobascio, Clement Faye, Laurent Garrelly
  • Publication number: 20210387749
    Abstract: A space station includes: a core with multiple connected core pods; a ring with multiple connected ring pods; at least one shaft connecting the core and the ring, the at least one shaft including multiple connected shaft pods. The core pods are substantially identical to one another, the ring pods are substantially identical to one another, and the shaft pods are substantially identical to one another.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 11, 2019
    Publication date: December 16, 2021
    Applicant: Nebula Space Enterprise, Inc
    Inventor: Michael Bloxton
  • Patent number: 11201358
    Abstract: A system for measuring a heat response of a cell during a thermal runaway event includes a housing. An insulation is positioned within the housing. A calorimeter is positioned within the insulation and the housing. The calorimeter is configured to have the cell positioned therein. The calorimeter is configured to measure a temperature increase of the cell, one or more components of the calorimeter, or a combination thereof during the thermal runaway event of the cell. A total energy yield of the thermal runaway event is configured to be determined based at least partially upon the temperature increase. A ratio is configured to be determined based at least partially upon the temperature increase. The ratio includes energy released through a casing of the cell during the thermal runaway event vs. energy released through ejecta material from the cell during the thermal runaway event.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2021
    Assignee: United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration
    Inventors: Eric C Dimpault-Darcy, John J. Darst, William Q. Walker, Steven L. Rickman, Natalie N. Anderson, Christiaan Khurana, Bruce L. Drolen, Gary Bayles, Zoran Bilc
  • Patent number: 11198523
    Abstract: An interface assembly for connecting an on-board propulsion system to a testing facility includes a support member configured for coupling to a manipulation system and a mounting member configured for coupling to the on-board propulsion system. A plurality of channels extends between and couples the mounting member to the support member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2021
    Assignees: MICHIGAN TECHNOLOGICAL UNIVERSITY, ORBION SPACE TECHNOLOGY, INC.
    Inventor: Lyon B. King
  • Patent number: 11193823
    Abstract: A multi-angle imager (10) comprises an imaging array (Mij) configured to receive light beams (Li) via one or more entrance pupils (A1) according to distinct fields of view (Vi) of an object (P0) along each of multiple entry angles (?i). The imaging array (Mij) comprises multiple imaging branches (M1j, M2j) configured to form respective optical paths for the light beams (L1, L2) through the imager (10) for imaging respective subsections (S1, S2) of the object (P0). Each imaging branch (M1j) comprises a distinct set of optical elements (M11, M21) configured to receive the respective light beam (L1) along the respective entry angle (?1) and redirect the respective light beam (L1) towards the imaging plane (P1). The light beams (L1, L2) from each of the multiple imaging branches (M1j, M2j) are redirected to travel in a common direction (y) between the imaging array (Mij) and the imaging plane (P1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2021
    Assignees: Stichting Nederlandse Wetenschappelijk Onderzoek Instituten, Airbus Defence and Space Netherlands B.V.
    Inventors: Aaldert Hidde Van Amerongen, Ersin Dogan, Jeroen Henricus Hubertus Rietjens
  • Patent number: 11192780
    Abstract: A microsensor and its method of manufacture are disclosed based on templated metal or metal oxide nanostructures. The microsensor includes an electrode that in one embodiment may be configured as a first sawtooth patterned electrode having a series of first peaks and first valleys and a second electrode that by be configured as a second sawtooth patterned electrode having a series of second peaks and second valleys where the second peaks generally align with the first peaks of the first electrode. A plurality of templated metal or metal oxide nanostructures connect on one side to the first electrode and on another side to the second electrode, where an electrical property of the microsensor changes in response to exposure to an environment to be monitored.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2021
    Assignee: United States of America as Represented by the Administrator of National Aeronautics and Space Administration
    Inventors: Azlin M. Biaggi-Labiosa, Gary W. Hunter
  • Patent number: 11196480
    Abstract: A solid state power amplifier uses a Doherty power amplifier that can be implemented as a monolithic microwave integrated circuit. By adjusting the DC bias of the amplifying stages in each branch of the Doherty amplifier, the output power, linearity, and DC power can be adjusted to provide a specified output, where the specification for the output can include the maintaining of desired DC power and linearity. The Doherty power amplifier can be used in a satellite payload or other application utilizing solid state power amplifiers, while providing the proper amount of RF output power and DC power. A single amplifier can have its bias levels adjusted for different output levels, helping to minimize the number of designs that are required for a given satellite payload, reducing the variety of parts in a satellite payload.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2021
    Assignee: Maxar Space LLC
    Inventors: Seyed Tabatabaei, Jim Sowers, Ghislain Turgeon