Patents Assigned to Space
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Patent number: 10889388Abstract: A constellation of Earth-orbiting spacecraft includes a first spacecraft disposed in a first orbit and a second spacecraft disposed in a second orbit. Each of the first orbit and the second orbit is substantially circular with a radius of approximately 42,164 km. The first orbit and the second orbit have a respective inclination with respect to the equator within a range of 5° to 20°. The first orbit has a first right ascension of ascending node (RAAN1) and the second orbit has a second RAAN (RAAN2) of approximately RAAN1+90°.Type: GrantFiled: February 23, 2017Date of Patent: January 12, 2021Assignee: Space Systems/Loral, LLCInventor: Andrew E. Turner
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Publication number: 20210000606Abstract: An apparatus including a prosthetic glenoid component for use in shoulder arthroplasty for articulation with a humeral head. The prosthetic glenoid component includes a bearing body, which is shaped so as to define (a) a concave bearing surface for articulation with the humeral head, and (b) a convex glenoid-contacting surface; and one or more superior cantilevers, which (a) jut out from a periphery of the bearing body, (b) are more flexible than the bearing body, and (c) resist, without preventing, superior migration of the humeral head. In shoulder arthroplasty, providing a prosthetic glenoid component for articulation with a humeral head, and implanting the prosthetic glenoid component such that the convex glenoid-contacting surface contacts a glenoid cavity, and the one or more superior cantilevers resist, without preventing, superior migration of the humeral head.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 28, 2019Publication date: January 7, 2021Applicant: Ortho-Space Ltd.Inventors: Assaf Dekel, Idan Tobis, Ruth Icekson
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Patent number: 10887004Abstract: The present invention relates to a telecommunications satellite intended for being placed in earth orbit, comprising an antenna comprising a reflector and a network of sources. In addition, said satellite comprises adaptive analog beamforming networks, said adaptive analog beamforming networks being connected to respective groups of sources other than the network of sources. Each adaptive analog beamforming network is suitable for simultaneously activating a predetermined number of beams serving respective geographic zones inside a geographic region on Earth's surface. Each of group of sources comprises sources shared with other groups of sources, and at least one geographic region has a geographic overlap of at least 30% with other geographic regions.Type: GrantFiled: June 8, 2018Date of Patent: January 5, 2021Assignees: AIRBUS DEFENCE AND SPACE SAS, CENTRE NATIONAL D'ETUDES SPATIALES (CNES)Inventor: Vincent Tugend
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Patent number: 10882627Abstract: An aircraft drive device (10) for creating propulsion and/or lift of an aircraft, the drive device comprising a rotating shaft (12), a rotating shaft bearing (14, 16), a rotating shaft drive machine (18) for rotationally driving the rotating shaft (12), and a housing (20), wherein the rotating shaft bearing (14,16) and the rotating shaft drive device (18) are arranged in an interior of the housing (44) and the rotating shaft (12) protrudes to the outside of the housing (20) through a housing opening (42) of the housing (20), wherein in the region of the housing opening (42) an overvoltage arrester device (52) is arranged which is designed for diverting an overvoltage present at the rotating shaft (12).Type: GrantFiled: December 21, 2017Date of Patent: January 5, 2021Assignee: AIRBUS DEFENCE AND SPACE GMBHInventors: Jürgen Steinwandel, Michael Hofmann, Michael Judas
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Patent number: 10883826Abstract: The present disclosure discloses a three-dimensional topographic mapping system and mapping method. The system includes: a floating platform, a detection apparatus, and a ground apparatus, where the floating platform is located in the stratosphere above a predetermined ground area that is to be mapped; the detection apparatus is arranged on the floating platform and configured to map the predetermined ground area according to mapping instruction information transmitted by the ground apparatus, and return mapping data to the ground apparatus; and the ground apparatus processes the returned mapping data to obtain DEM data. In the three-dimensional topographic mapping system according to embodiments of the present disclosure, the detection apparatus is arranged on the floating platform to map the predetermined ground area and cooperate with the ground apparatus to calculate the mapping data.Type: GrantFiled: December 16, 2017Date of Patent: January 5, 2021Assignees: Dongguan Frontier Technology Institute, SHENZHEN KUANG-CHI SPACE TECH. CO. Ltd.Inventors: Ruopeng Liu, Lin Luan, Wenlong Zhou, Jianghuang Lu, Xiaohui Yao, Weian Zhong
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Patent number: 10887054Abstract: A communication system includes an encryption device, a decryption device and a communication link connecting the encryption device to the decryption device. The encryption device is configured to send encrypted messages to the decryption device over the communication link. The system includes a failure monitor configured to monitor for a failure of the encryption device or the decryption device, and, in the event of failure, to continue the sending of the messages to the decryption device but without encrypting the messages.Type: GrantFiled: November 16, 2016Date of Patent: January 5, 2021Assignee: AIRBUS DEFENCE AND SPACE LIMITEDInventors: Ray James, Keith Travis, Stephen Williams, Kevin Jones
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Patent number: 10882644Abstract: Techniques for performing spacecraft rendezvous and/or docking include operating a first orbiting spacecraft, the first spacecraft including a sensor arrangement, a first processor and a first inter-satellite link (ISL) arrangement and performing one or both of a rendezvous operation and a docking operation with the first spacecraft and a second orbiting spacecraft, the second spacecraft including one or more actuators. The performing one or both of the rendezvous operation and the docking operation includes determining a pose and pose rate of the second spacecraft relative to the first spacecraft using observations made by the sensor arrangement and determining a desired approach trajectory for the second spacecraft.Type: GrantFiled: October 10, 2017Date of Patent: January 5, 2021Assignee: Space Systems/Loral, LLCInventors: Robert Erik Schwarz, John Douglas Lymer
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Patent number: 10884012Abstract: The embodiments described herein include a method and system for determining velocity and a motor controller implementing such velocity determination. In one embodiment, a rotatable element has a digital encoder coupled thereto for determining discrete angular positions of the rotatable element. An amount of time for the rotatable element to rotate between two successive ones of the discrete angular positions is measured. The amount of time is converted to a rotational velocity determination of the rotatable element.Type: GrantFiled: December 6, 2016Date of Patent: January 5, 2021Assignee: United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space AdministrationInventors: Aaron M. Hulse, Harrison D. Pham, Stanley Lewis
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Patent number: 10876024Abstract: A material that facilitates dissipation of heat is provided and includes hexagonal boron nitride and alumina.Type: GrantFiled: October 4, 2017Date of Patent: December 29, 2020Assignee: United States of America as Represented by the Administrator of National Aeronautics and Space AdministrationInventors: Ching-Cheh Hung, Janet B. Hurst
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Publication number: 20200403309Abstract: A phased array antenna system configured for communication with a satellite that emits or receives radio frequency (RF) signals travels in a first direction, the antenna system includes a phased array antenna including a plurality of antenna elements distributed in a plurality of M columns oriented in the first direction and a plurality of N rows extending in a second direction normal to the first direction, and a plurality of fixed phase shifters aligned for phase offsets between antenna elements in the first direction and a gain-enhancement system configured for gain enhancement in the second direction of radio frequency signals received by and emitted from the phased array antenna.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 7, 2020Publication date: December 24, 2020Applicant: Space Exploration Technologies Corp.Inventor: Alireza Mahanfar
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Patent number: 10873471Abstract: For measuring an area of interest based on a sensor task and/or routing sensor data, a method discovers a network topology for a network comprising a plurality of network nodes connected by links. The method dynamically generates a minimum spanning tree from the network topology. Given sensor data traverses one link of the minimum spanning tree only once. The method routes a sensor task to a sensor with a sensor motion track that includes an area of interest. The method measures the area of interest with the sensor based on the sensor task. The method routes sensor data from the measurement of the area of interest via links of the minimum spanning tree.Type: GrantFiled: November 25, 2019Date of Patent: December 22, 2020Assignee: Utah State University Space Dynamics LaboratoryInventors: Troy R. Johnson, Jonathan R. Haws, Nathan A. Jensen
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Patent number: 10872887Abstract: A scalable voltage source having a number N of mutually series-connected partial voltage sources designed as semiconductor diodes, wherein each of the partial voltage sources comprises a p-n junction of a semiconductor diode, and each semiconductor diode has a p-doped absorption layer, wherein the p-absorption layer is passivated by a p-doped passivation layer with a wider band gap than the band gap of the p-absorption layer and the semiconductor diode has an n-absorption layer, wherein the n-absorption layer is passivated by an n-doped passivation layer with a wider band gap than the band gap of the n-absorption layer, and the partial source voltages of the individual partial voltage sources deviate by less than 20%, and between in each case two successive partial voltage sources, a tunnel diode is arranged.Type: GrantFiled: May 18, 2016Date of Patent: December 22, 2020Assignee: AZUR SPACE Solar Power GmbHInventors: Daniel Fuhrmann, Wolfgang Guter, Victor Khorenko
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Publication number: 20200395495Abstract: A stacked multi-junction solar cell comprising a stack composed of a bottom subcell, at least one middle subcell, and a top subcell, wherein each subcell has an emitter and a base at least the top subcell is made of a III-V semiconductor material or includes a III-V semiconductor material, and the emitter of the top subcell includes a superlattice.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 1, 2020Publication date: December 17, 2020Applicant: AZUR SPACE SOLAR POWER GMBHInventors: Daniel FUHRMANN, Gregor KELLER, Rosalinda VAN LEEST
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Patent number: 10863678Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a sunlight converting device including a wavelength converting film using a wavelength conversion material such as a quantum dot or an inorganic phosphor. More particularly, the present disclosure provides a sunlight converting device including a wavelength converting film using a wavelength conversion material, which can optimize plant growth and provide improved plant quality by installing a wavelength converting film on which a wavelength conversion material is applied so as to be converted into a predetermined wavelength and output to a greenhouse, (glasshouse), a vinyl house or a microalga culture facility, varying the sunlight irradiation area of the wavelength converting film, and supplying light of various wavelengths required for species of plant including microalgae or growth cycles thereof.Type: GrantFiled: February 22, 2019Date of Patent: December 15, 2020Assignee: SHERPA SPACE INC.Inventors: Choamun Yun, Wonjoon Choi
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Publication number: 20200388916Abstract: In an embodiment, a device is included in a communications system, the device including a plurality of antenna elements configured in a phased array antenna; a plurality of integrated circuit (IC) chips, wherein each IC chip of the plurality of IC chips is associated with a respective subset of antenna elements of the plurality of antenna elements, and wherein, for each IC chip of the plurality of IC chips, the associated subset of antenna elements is used for transmitting and receiving radio frequency (RF) signals by the IC chip; and a local oscillator configured to generate a common local oscillator signal and provide the common local oscillator signal to each IC chip of the plurality of IC chips.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 3, 2020Publication date: December 10, 2020Applicant: Space Exploration Technologies Corp.Inventors: Masoud Kahrizi, Alex Ahmad Mirzaei, Ali Sajjadi, Bagher Afshar, Babak Vakili-Amini, Alireza Mehrnia, Behzad Nourani, Bernd Pregardier
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Publication number: 20200389287Abstract: In an embodiment, an apparatus includes a first integrated circuit (IC) chip configured to receive a timing signal and a reference clock signal; a second IC chip configured to receive the timing signal from the first IC chip and the reference clock signal; and a third IC chip configured to receive the timing signal from the second IC chip and the reference clock signal. The second IC chip is electrically coupled between the first and third IC chips. The first, second, and third IC chips are configured to generate respective first, second, and third reference time signals based on the timing signal and the reference clock signal. Each of the first, second, and third reference time signals is associated with a count of a number of cycles of the reference clock signal starting from a same particular cycle of the reference clock signal.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 26, 2020Publication date: December 10, 2020Applicant: Space Exploration Technologies Corp.Inventors: Andras Tantos, David Francois Jacquet, Mario Toma
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Patent number: 10862189Abstract: An apparatus that combines an antenna and telescope to minimize system mass without compromising performance of either the antenna or telescope. The apparatus includes a sub-reflector placed before a prime focus feed of a hybrid reflector system. The apparatus also includes a radio frequency (RF) reflector is rigidly attached to a body of a spacecraft and an optical section is attached to a vibration isolation platform.Type: GrantFiled: November 6, 2017Date of Patent: December 8, 2020Assignee: United States of America as Represented by the Administrator of National Aeronautics and Space AdministrationInventor: Robert R. Romanofsky
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Patent number: 10859712Abstract: A method for each of a plurality of satellites of a secondary Global Navigation Satellite System, GNSS, in a Low Earth Orbit, LEO, comprising receiving GNSS signals, in a first frequency band, from Line-Of-Sight, LOS, satellites of at least one primary GNSS in a Medium Earth Orbit. Candidate sets of orbit and clock corrections for the LOS satellites are received. A Position-Velocity-Time, PVT, calculation is performed based on code and/or carrier pseudo-ranges between a respective satellite of the secondary GNSS and the LOS satellites. The code and/or carrier pseudo-ranges are derived from the GNSS signals and are corrected by a single set of the candidate sets. A short-term prediction model is determined for an orbit and clock of the respective satellite based on the PVT and is included in a navigation message, transmitted in a second frequency band, modulated onto a LEO navigation signal intended for terrestrial user equipment.Type: GrantFiled: January 25, 2018Date of Patent: December 8, 2020Assignee: AIRBUS DEFENCE AND SPACE GMBHInventors: Francis Soualle, Mahamoudou Ouedraogo, Jean-Jacques Floch, Alexander Zenzinger, Stefan Sassen, Oliver Baur, Jens Heim
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Publication number: 20200382206Abstract: In one embodiment of the present disclosure, a satellite communication system includes a satellite constellation including a plurality of satellites in non-geosynchronous orbit (non-GEO), wherein at least some of the plurality of satellites travel in a first orbital path at a first inclination, and an end point terminal having an earth-based geographic location, the end point terminal having an antenna system defining a field of regard for communicating with the satellite constellation, wherein the field of regard is a limited field of regard, wherein the field of regard is tilted from a non-tilted position to a tilted position, and wherein the tilt angle of the tilted position is a function of the latitude of the geographic location.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 3, 2020Publication date: December 3, 2020Applicant: Space Exploration Technologies Corp.Inventors: Duncan E. Adams, David Milroy, Jonathan François Cornelis Herman, Jessica D. Johnson
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Publication number: 20200381816Abstract: In one embodiment of the present disclosure, a housing assembly for an antenna apparatus includes a radome portion, a lower enclosure portion, and a fastener system configured for coupling the radome portion and the lower enclosure portion couplable to form an inner compartment for antenna components of an antenna assembly.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 3, 2020Publication date: December 3, 2020Applicant: Space Exploration Technologies Corp.Inventors: David Milroy, Victor Q. Dang, Michael J. Conte