Patents Assigned to Space
  • Patent number: 11111034
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a separable roller screw assembly comprising: a first screw shaft having a first external thread and being axially separated from a second screw shaft having a second external thread; a planetary roller arrangement comprising multiple rotatable rollers radially arrayed about the first and second screw shafts, whilst being encapsulated by a rotatable nut module; the rotatable nut module being coaxially arranged about the first and second screw shafts and configured for maintaining the planetary roller arrangement, the first and second screw shafts in an axially fixed configuration to permit the assembly to carry a load in an axial direction corresponding to an axial tensile force, whilst enabling displacement of the first screw shaft relative to the second screw shaft when said assembly is released from said axially fixed configuration; and wherein each one of the multiple rollers comprises first and second roller external thread regions adapted to engage said first external t
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2021
    Assignee: RUAG SPACE AB
    Inventors: Magnus Thenander, Johan Ohlin
  • Patent number: 11111004
    Abstract: A device to fasten a system to a structure of a vehicle includes a drive unit that provides rotary movement of a drive element relative to the structure. The device has first and second supporting elements. The first supporting element is rotatably coupled to the drive element via a first rotation axis, and is rotatably mounted to the structure via a second rotation axis. The second supporting element is rotatably coupled to the first supporting element, and a first connecting element, which is rotatably mounted to the structure via a third rotation axis. The first connecting element is rotatably coupled to the second supporting element via a fourth rotation axis. The second supporting element is rotatably coupled to the first supporting element via a fifth rotation axis. During movement, the first supporting element has a different rotational speed than the second supporting element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2021
    Assignee: Airbus Defence and Space GmbH
    Inventor: Robert Cheikh Sarraf
  • Patent number: 11106910
    Abstract: A method for simulating the estimation of a time to acquire satellite images associated with at least one predetermined area of the Earth, by at least one Earth observation satellite having an optical imaging system, the predetermined area being previously divided into a grid of cells, the acquisition being scheduled to be triggered starting on an analysis start date is disclosed having the steps of: (a) conducting an inventory of the cells planned to be overflown by the satellite on a current iteration date, on the basis of the orbital characteristics of the satellite on the current iteration date, thus obtaining candidate cells, (b) identifying among the candidate cells, on the basis of a mission plan of the satellite, those cells for which acquisition of at least one satellite image is scheduled, thus obtaining scheduled cells, (c) obtaining at least a first cloudiness value for each of the scheduled cells, (d) identifying, among the scheduled cells, those for which the first associated cloudiness value is
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2021
    Assignee: Airbus Defence and Space SAS
    Inventors: Cécilia Amselem, Eric Villeméjeanne, Jean-Christophe Angulo
  • Patent number: 11108128
    Abstract: A circuit board includes a substantially planar component carrier and a microstrip which is applied to a surface of the component carrier. The microstrip extends towards a connection transition which is arranged on a lateral edge of the component carrier. A waveguide portion of an antenna element which is produced by a 3D printing process is coupled to this connection transition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2021
    Assignee: Airbus Defence and Space GmbH
    Inventors: Volker Ziegler, Enric Miralles Navarro
  • Patent number: 11106549
    Abstract: Secure logging systems and methods using cryptography and/or encryption with crash recovery. In some embodiments, the secure logging system includes an initialization module to initialize cells of a logging database, including inserting a pseudorandom number into each cell of the logging database. In some embodiments, the secure logging system includes an addition module to encrypt new log messages and add them to the logging database in a given number of pseudorandom cells of the logging database. In some embodiments, the secure logging system includes a listing module to determine where in the logging database the log message was stored and then to decrypt the encrypted log messages. These systems and methods improve computer related technology including by improving crash reconstruction, root cause analysis, network systems security, and logging system encryption and security.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2021
    Assignees: Airbus Defence and Space GmbH, Northeastern University
    Inventors: Erik-Oliver Blass, Guevara Noubir
  • Publication number: 20210263164
    Abstract: A low-earth orbit (LEO) satellite includes a non-atomic clock configured to generate a clock signal, a navigation signal receiving and processing module, and a navigation signal generation and transmission module. The navigation signal receiving and processing module is configured to receive the clock signal from the non-atomic clock, receive first signaling including first timing data generated based on a high precision clock, and generate clock state data based on the clock signal and the first timing data. The navigation signal generation and transmission module is configured to receive the clock signal from the non-atomic clock, generate a navigation message that indicates the clock state data, generate a broadcast carrier signal by utilizing the clock signal, generate a navigation signal based on modulating the navigation message upon the broadcast carrier signal, and broadcast the navigation signal for receipt by at least one client device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 20, 2021
    Publication date: August 26, 2021
    Applicant: Xona Space Systems Inc.
    Inventors: Kazuma Gunning, Adrien Louis Henry Perkins
  • Publication number: 20210261266
    Abstract: An aircraft structure has a fuselage, a wing and an air inlet for receiving air for an engine. The air inlet contains an elevation which rises from the fuselage and the wing. The elevation is arranged in a transition region between the wing and the fuselage and extends asymmetrically with respect to an angle bisector of an angle between a surface of the wing and the lateral surface of the fuselage. By virtue of this construction, a leading edge of the wing can be arranged further forward than the air inlet, and the air inlet configured according to these principles can positively influence a flow boundary layer on the aircraft structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 17, 2021
    Publication date: August 26, 2021
    Applicant: Airbus Defence and Space GmbH
    Inventors: Robert Ehrmayr, Thomas Berens
  • Patent number: 11097843
    Abstract: A balloon system including a balloon, a payload, and a safety module. A safety module, preferably including a tether and a parachute, and optionally including a cover and/or a drogue. A method of balloon system operation, preferably including operating the balloon system in flight and descending under a parachute.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2021
    Assignee: Space Perspective Inc.
    Inventor: Taber MacCallum
  • Patent number: 11098412
    Abstract: An apparatus and a method for the metallization of an object including placing the object in an electrolyte, placing an anode in contact with the electrolyte, placing a metallization contact of a cathode in contact with the object, applying an electrical tension between the anode and the cathode, wherein the metallization contact is displaced in relation to the object during the metallization of the object to achieve a complete and continuous metallization of the object's surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2021
    Assignee: Airbus Defence and Space GmbH
    Inventors: Lidija Rafailovich, Sonja Nixon, Catherine Haas, Tomislav Tri{hacek over (s)}ovic, Hans Peter Karnthaler
  • Patent number: 11101878
    Abstract: A method for design an optimized constellation set and labeling for satellite point to multi-point transmission systems including transmitters and receivers, wherein the transmitters are adapted to create signals overlay and are configured to allow simultaneous transmission of at least two different data streams (services) intended for users with different radio link qualities. In particular, N services are provided to users having a good radio link and a subset of services is maintained and guaranteed for the users having a lower radio link quality condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2021
    Assignees: European Space Agency, Politecnico Di Torino
    Inventors: Nader Alagha, Farbod Kayhan, Guido Montorsi
  • Patent number: 11096338
    Abstract: Disclosed are various embodiments of an agile spectrum LED lighting fixture with a control. In one embodiment, a lighting fixture includes a light emitting device comprising multiple channels. Each channel includes one or more light emitting diodes configured to emit light at a respective predominant wavelength. The lighting fixture also includes a control device to control a respective light intensity of each channel based at least in part on a desired spectrum of light and the respective predominant wavelengths of the channels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2021
    Assignee: Astro Space, LLC
    Inventor: William F. Probasco
  • Patent number: 11097484
    Abstract: A system is disclosed including a robotic arm movable about a rotational axis to at least one of move and reposition a part at least one of during part creation and after part creation in a micro-gravity environment, wherein creation is performed by at least one of a polymer-based additive manufacturing subsystem and a metallic-based additive manufacturing subsystem and a gripping device attached to the robotic arm which holds the part during at least one of part creation and after part creation. Another system and method are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2021
    Assignee: MADE IN SPACE, INC.
    Inventors: Michael P. Snyder, William Brandon Kirkland, Douglas Alan Marsh, Patrick F. Flowers
  • Patent number: 11094114
    Abstract: Systems and methods for satellite Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) artifact suppression for enhanced three-dimensional feature extraction, change detection, and/or visualizations are described. In some aspects, the described systems and methods include a method for suppressing artifacts from complex SAR data associated with a scene. In some aspects, the described systems and methods include a method for creating a photo-realistic 3D model of a scene based on complex SAR data associated with a scene. In some aspects, the described systems and methods include a method for identifying three-dimensional (3D) features and changes in SAR imagery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2021
    Assignee: Ursa Space Systems Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey Scott Pennings, Justyna Weronika Kosianka, Daniela Irina Moody
  • Patent number: 11095094
    Abstract: A method and system for using a wavelength tunable semiconductor laser as an excitation source of a fiber optics sensing system (FOSS) based on a thermoelectric control of a laser sweep. A device can include an optical fiber; a set of fiber Bragg gratings disposed within the optical fiber; a single-frequency laser (SFL) operatively connected to the optical fiber; a thermoelectric cooler operatively connected to the SFL; a controller comprising a processor in communication with the thermoelectric cooler; and a nontransitory, computer-readable storage medium in communication with the processor. The nontransitory, computer-readable storage medium can store instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to perform operations including determining a strain value at a first fiber Bragg grating of the set of fiber Bragg gratings based on a second laser signal received at the device that is reflected from an interaction of a first laser signal with the first fiber Bragg grating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2021
    Assignee: U.S.A. as Represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration
    Inventors: Hon Man Chan, Allen R. Parker, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20210247519
    Abstract: A satellite orbiting in one of a plurality of orbital planes of a satellite constellation system at an altitude range corresponding to low earth orbit includes at least one processor configured to generate satellite state data, and to generate a navigation signal based on the satellite state data. The satellite includes at least one transmitter configured to transmit the navigation signal for receipt by at least one client device on earth. Each of the plurality of orbital planes includes a corresponding one of a plurality of satellite subsets of a plurality of satellites of the satellite constellation system. Each of the plurality of orbital planes is within the altitude range, and the plurality of orbital planes includes a set of inclined orbital planes at a non-polar inclination.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 20, 2021
    Publication date: August 12, 2021
    Applicant: Xona Space Systems Inc.
    Inventors: Tyler Gerald René Reid, Brian Manning
  • Publication number: 20210249749
    Abstract: In some embodiments, an apparatus includes a first layer having a first plurality of electrically conductive traces comprising a first portion of a plurality of hierarchical networks; a second layer having a second plurality of electrically conductive traces comprising a second portion of the plurality of hierarchical networks; and a plurality of vias electrically connecting the first plurality of electrically conductive traces of the first layer to the respective second plurality of electrically conductive traces of the second layer to define the plurality of hierarchical networks. The first plurality of electrically conductive traces is orientated in a first direction and the second plurality of electrically conductive traces is orientated in a second direction different from the first direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2021
    Publication date: August 12, 2021
    Applicant: Space Exploration Technologies Corp.
    Inventors: Souren Shamsinejad, Javier Rodriguez De Luis, Nil Apaydin, Alireza Mahanfar
  • Patent number: 11088812
    Abstract: A radio frequency identification (RFID) system includes an RFID interrogator configured for generating an RFID signal, wherein a channel frequency of the RFID signal changes over time; at least one patch antenna; and at least one feed line configured for feeding the signal to the corresponding at least one patch antenna. In another exemplary embodiment, an RFID interrogator configured for generating an RID signal, wherein a channel frequency of the RFID signal changes over time; at least one transmission line; and a diplexer coupling the RFID interrogator and the transmission lines and configured for distributing the RFID signal to each of the antennas or transmission lines, respectively, depending on the channel frequency of the RFID signal generated. The antennas or transmission lines are configured to transmit an electromagnetic wave in response to and at the channel frequency of the RFID signal distributed thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2021
    Assignee: United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration
    Inventors: Patrick W. Fink, Gregory Y. Lin, Timothy F. Kennedy, Phong H. Ngo
  • Patent number: 11084598
    Abstract: A power distribution system for a DC network, the DC network comprising electrical loads, the power distribution system being boarded on an aircraft and comprising: a plurality of AC/DC converters, and at least one AC power source. The power distribution system comprises: an “n” number of AC/DC converters, each one comprising an “(n?1)” number of first outputs and at least an additional output, and an “(n?1)·n” number of electrical loads. Each electrical load comprises two inputs: a first input for being connected with a corresponding first output, and a second input for being connected with any of the additional outputs. The power distribution system is configured to continue supplying electrical power to the DC network in case an AC/DC converter is not energized, such that the second input of such electrical load is connected to any additional output of another AC/DC converter, being the first input disconnected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2021
    Assignee: AIRBUS DEFENCE AND SPACE, S.A.U.
    Inventor: Daniel Izquierdo Gil
  • Patent number: 11085674
    Abstract: An electrocaloric-based cooling system includes a solid electrolyte, which includes a silver conducting electrolyte sandwiched between a first electrode and a second electrode. The solid electrolyte when biased shows an electrocaloric effect.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2021
    Assignee: U.S.A, as Represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration
    Inventor: William C. West
  • Patent number: D929757
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2021
    Assignee: Zhejiang Sharing Space Technology Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Xiaowei Feng