Patents Assigned to Space
  • Patent number: 10407186
    Abstract: A method of controlling the attitude of a spacecraft in spinning around itself with a non-zero total angular momentum HTOT. The spacecraft includes a set of inertia flywheels configured to form an internal angular momentum HACT. The axis of the total angular momentum HTOT is aligned with a principal axis of inertia of the spacecraft, in the course of which the inertia flywheels are controlled to form an internal angular momentum HACT. The following expression, in which J is the inertia matrix of the spacecraft: Hact×J?1(Htot?J?1Htot) is negative if the principal axis of inertia targeted is the axis of maximum inertia of the spacecraft and is positive if the principal axis inertia targeted is the axis of minimum inertia of the spacecraft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2019
    Assignee: AIRBUS DEFENCE AND SPACE SAS
    Inventors: Nicolas Cuilleron, Philippe Laurens, Valerio Moro
  • Patent number: 10401126
    Abstract: A ballistic presentation board includes a presentation board and a ballistic layer, the ballistic layer being attached to the back of the presentation board. The ballistic presentation board provides at least National Institute of Justice Level IIA ballistic protection. The ballistic presentation board can be attached to a wheeled stand to provide a ballistic presentation board assembly which can be pushed against a doorway during an attack to protect from gunfire, etc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2019
    Assignee: SAFE SPACE SOLUTION, LLC
    Inventors: David J. Kolomijez, Michael S. Georgiadis, James E. Somogyi, Joseph M. Shoemaker, Herbert C. Neides
  • Patent number: 10399288
    Abstract: A laying unit for producing a fiber composite component is provided. The laying unit includes a housing and a plurality of fiber coils which are designed so as to be able to be unwound during a movement of the laying unit, wherein the fiber coils are provided in a movably mounted manner inside the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2019
    Assignee: Airbus Defence and Space GmbH
    Inventors: Franz Engel, Christian Weimer, Tilman Orth
  • Patent number: 10399692
    Abstract: An aircraft fuel system comprises a fuselage tank and wing fuel tanks each connected to the fuselage fuel tank by a respective fuel line. A first fuel line connects the fuselage fuel tank to a collector fuel tank, which is connected by second fuel lines to aircraft engines in use of the system. Unspent fuel output from the aircraft engines is returned to the collector fuel tank via third fuel lines. A fuel line arrangement is arranged to draw fuel from, and return that fuel to, the wing fuel tanks. Fuel within the third fuel lines is thermally coupled to fuel within the fuel line arrangement by a heat exchanger. Heat energy within unspent fuel output from the aircraft engines is transferred to the wing fuel tanks, reducing the likelihood of fuel freezing within these tanks during extended flying in cold environments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2019
    Assignees: AIRBUS DEFENCE AND SPACE GMBH, AIRBUS DEFENCE AND SPACE SA
    Inventors: Enrique Soriano, Sven Kopp, Winfried Lohmiller, Christian Thiele, Sergio Fernandez, Pablo Blazques
  • Patent number: 10400804
    Abstract: A device for the shock-absorbing attachment of two elements to be assembled, the attachment device including: an inner part that is tubular along an attachment axis; an outer part that is tubular along the attachment axis, and hollow, the inner part being accommodated in the outer part such that the outer surface of the inner part is facing the inner surface of the outer part; an elastomer layer between the outer part and the inner part, the elastomer layer, when seen in section in a longitudinal plane including the attachment axis, including: to either side of the attachment axis, at least three so-called longitudinal portions, and at least two so-called transverse portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2019
    Assignee: AIRBUS DEFENCE AND SPACE SAS
    Inventors: Rene Jean Cheynet De Beaupre, Patrick Camarasa
  • Patent number: 10401832
    Abstract: A system including an additive manufacturing device to perform at least one additive manufacturing process and to include a prefabricated component during the at least one additive manufacturing process to accelerate build completion of a produced object. Another system and a method are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2019
    Assignee: MADE IN SPACE, INC.
    Inventors: Michael Snyder, Jason Dunn, Aaron Kemmer, Michael Chen
  • Patent number: 10399299
    Abstract: A sandwich component and method of producing the sandwich component are provided wherein the sandwich component has a first cover layer, a second cover layer, and a core disposed therebetween. In the sandwich component, the cover layers are each formed from an outer layer made of a fiber-reinforced high-melting-point thermoplast material and, fused therewith, an inner layer made of a low-melting-point thermoplast material. The core has outer layers, each of which is formed from a low-melting-point thermoplast material, and an inner structure, which is formed entirely or partially from a high-melting-point thermoplast material. The inner layers of the cover layers were each fused with one of the outer layers of the core.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2019
    Assignee: Airbus Defence and Space GmbH
    Inventors: Jonas Gruenewald, Patricia Parlevliet
  • Publication number: 20190267504
    Abstract: A method for producing a metal foil composed of an aluminium-magnesium alloy which includes scandium and zirconium, and also the metal foil produced accordingly are described. With such a foil it is possible, for example, to produce connectors for solar cells, which may be employed in particular in aerospace, for example in satellites.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 22, 2019
    Publication date: August 29, 2019
    Applicant: Airbus Defence and Space GmbH
    Inventors: Frank Geiger, Stephan Reichelt, Blanka Lenczowski, Claus Zimmermann, Christel Noemayr, Wiebke Steins
  • Publication number: 20190261786
    Abstract: A product display merchandiser comprising a support member, an intermediate member movably attached to the support member, and a product support attached to the intermediate member. The intermediate member is movable between at least a retracted position and an extended position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 8, 2019
    Publication date: August 29, 2019
    Applicant: Retail Space Solutions LLC
    Inventors: Michael William Mercier, Daniel Davenport, Sebastian Kosela, David Detlefsen, Julia Padvoiskis, Matt Wills, John Watry, Greg Ruggles, Eric Pollpeter, Dan Kaczmarek
  • Patent number: 10397920
    Abstract: A wireless communication system includes frequency reuse between terminals in common coverage regions using a multiple satellite architecture with spatial diversity. Different terminals may be associated with different ones of the satellites such that a common frequency can be reused by the different terminals. A gateway may communicate with a first satellite using a feeder beam having an overlapping geographic coverage region with a user beam used for communication between a set of user terminals and a second satellite. Spatial diversity is provided between the satellites, and the feeder beam and the user beam operate at common frequencies within the overlapping coverage region. In this manner, the bandwidth of both satellites at the common coverage region is used to increase the available capacity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2019
    Assignee: Space Systems/Loral, LLC
    Inventor: Kirby Chung
  • Patent number: 10396709
    Abstract: Some embodiments of the present invention describe an apparatus that includes an oscillator, a ramp generator, and an inverter. The apparatus includes an oscillator, an inverter, and a ramp generator. The oscillator is configured to generate a waveform comprising a low time and a high time. The inverter is configured to receive the waveform generated by the oscillator, and invert the waveform. The ramp generator configured to increase a gate control voltage of a transistor connected to a solar cell, and rapidly decrease the gate control voltage of the transistor. During the low time of the waveform, a measurement of a current and a voltage of the solar cell is performed as the current and voltage of the solar cell are transmitted through a first channel and to a second channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2019
    Assignee: United States of America as Represented by the Administrator of National Aeronautics and Space Administration
    Inventors: Michael J. Krasowski, Norman F. Prokop
  • Patent number: 10393546
    Abstract: A device for determining the attitude or variation in attitude of a satellite fitted with an attitude control system comprising at least one inertial actuator. The inertial actuator comprises a rotary element mounted to rotate about an axis of rotation. The rotation of the rotary element is controlled to generate a torque to control controlling the attitude of the satellite. The angular sensor of the device measures the angular rotation of the rotary element about its axis of rotation. The computation unit determines the attitude or variation in attitude of the satellite induced by the rotation of the rotary element as a function of the measurements of angular rotation of the rotary element by the angular sensor. A satellite carrying such a device and a method for determining the attitude or variation in attitude.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2019
    Assignee: Airbus Defence And Space SAS
    Inventors: Kristen Lagadec, Anais Ardan
  • Patent number: 10395633
    Abstract: A composition for producing a sheet material with a cellular structure, the composition including the following components: (a) about 5 to about 25 weight % gelatine, (b) about 25 to 60 weight % filler material, (c) about 15 to about 40 weight % water, and (d) a cellular structure promoting agent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2019
    Assignee: ACOUSTIC SPACE PTY LTD
    Inventors: Bela Takacs, Philippe Pierre Marie Joseph Doneux
  • Patent number: 10392133
    Abstract: A method for planning the acquisition of images of areas Z1, . . . , ZN of the Earth, by a spacecraft on a mission around the Earth. Each area Zi of the Earth being associated with a request Ri such that a visual accessibility time interval Ti corresponds to the area Zi. For each interval Ti, discrete acquisition opportunities for acquiring area Zi are determined such that a start date, a period of execution, a local kinematic constraint and a weight is associated with each of the discrete acquisition opportunities. The discrete acquisition opportunities for acquiring areas Zi are grouped into a set D. The discrete acquisition opportunities Di of the set D are categorized by ascending start date. The kinematic compatibility between the discrete acquisition opportunities of set D is assessed. An optimal sequence of discrete acquisition opportunities is determined having a maximum weight, and being kinematically compatible.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2019
    Assignee: AIRBUS DEFENCE AND SPACE SAS
    Inventor: Pierre Blanc-Pâques
  • Patent number: 10393682
    Abstract: A multiplexing x-ray fluorescence (MXRF) system and method are provided. The system can include a simple detector that counts x-rays with time resolution. A time-variable applied radiation source is used. The MXRF applied radiation source can produce an excitation spectrum with a peak average energy that grows with time and then recycles. Elemental identification can be achieved by time-correlating x-ray counts detected by the detector, with the time-variable applied radiation field. The system and method provide design flexibility for both commercial and NASA applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2019
    Assignee: U.S.A. as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration
    Inventors: Keith C. Gendreau, Zaven Arzoumanian, Robert G. Baker, Norman Dobson, Richard Koenecke
  • Patent number: 10393541
    Abstract: An aircraft navigation system and a method for aircraft navigation is presented. The aircraft navigation system has a navigation-map data source, navigation-map data provided by the navigation-map data source including information about a multitude of objects O on earth surface which are of high potential visibility and high potential identifiability from elevated positions, each information for an object O?O including a position and a type of the respective object O; a first system for measuring an actual aircraft position P(t); a waypoint data source providing waypoints WPi defining an aircraft intended flight track; a second system for selecting per waypoint WPi one object Oi(WPi) with Oi(WPi)?O depending on given selection criteria; and a display for displaying an information I(Oi(WPi) referring the selected object Oi(WPi).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2019
    Assignee: Airbus Defence and Space GmbH
    Inventors: Olaf Heinzinger, Matthias Oberhauser, Sèbastien Mamessier, Rafael Fernandes De Oliveira, Daniel Dreyer
  • Publication number: 20190260340
    Abstract: Beamforming channels of a satellite are calibrated using a low power, spread spectrum calibration signal. The power of the calibration signal is below the noise level of a user signal in an active channel, allowing channels to be calibrated while active. When calibrating the transmit side circuitry, a two-stage calibration can be used, first calibrating the output hybrid matrix, then calibrating the whole of the transmit side. To improve performance, the dwell time spend calibrating a channel can be based on the power of the user signal in the channel. A transmit probe can be used to inject a calibration signal into the receive antennae and a receive probe can be used to extract the calibration signal from the transmit antennae. To reduce frequency of calibrations, the calibrations can be based on path-to-path differences. These techniques are also applied to multiport amplifiers (MPAs).
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 7, 2019
    Publication date: August 22, 2019
    Applicant: Space Systems/Loral, LLC
    Inventors: Farid Elwailly, James Knecht, David Grybos
  • Patent number: 10388496
    Abstract: Energy conversion systems that may employ control grid electrodes, acceleration grid electrodes, inductive elements, multi-stage anodes, and emissive carbon coatings on the cathode and anode are described. These and other characteristics may allow for advantageous thermal energy to electrical energy conversion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2019
    Assignee: Space Charge, LLC
    Inventors: Daniel Sweeney, Devin Vollmer, John Read
  • Patent number: 10388819
    Abstract: A receiver unit having an optically operated voltage source, the voltage source including a first stack having an upper side and an underside and being formed on an upper side of a non-Si substrate based on III-V semiconductor layers arranged in the shape of a stack, and having a second electrical terminal contact on the upper side of the first stack and a first electrical terminal contact on an underside of the non-Si substrate, a voltage generated with the aid of the incidence of light onto the upper side of the first stack being present between the two terminal contacts, and including a second stack having a MOS transistor structure having III-V semiconductor layers and including a control terminal and a drain terminal and a source terminal. The MOS transistor structure being designed as a depletion field effect transistor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2019
    Assignee: AZUR SPACE SOLAR POWER GMBH
    Inventors: Daniel Fuhrmann, Thomas Lauermann, Gregor Keller
  • Publication number: 20190252801
    Abstract: Embodiments of present disclosure are directed to apparatuses, systems, and methods relating to antenna apertures in phased array antenna systems directed to configuring antenna lattices in a space tapered configuration and mapping from the antenna lattices, interspersing of antenna elements in an antenna aperture, and rotation of antenna element in the antenna aperture for purity polarization.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 14, 2019
    Publication date: August 15, 2019
    Applicant: Space Exploration Technologies Corp.
    Inventors: Alireza Mahanfar, Javier Rodriguez De Luis, Nil Apaydin, Ersin Yetisir, Shaya Karimkashi Arani