Patents Assigned to Space
  • Patent number: 12155436
    Abstract: This application relates to a method of performing wireless communications between a hub station and a plurality of user terminals. The method comprises transmitting radio signals to subsets of user terminals among the plurality of user terminals with sets of active beams, wherein the active beams have beam centers that are determined based on locations of the user terminals. The method further comprises, for each of a plurality of radio resource blocks: selecting a subset of user terminals among the plurality of user terminals; for each user terminal among the subset of user terminals, determining a beam center based on a location of the respective user terminal; and transmitting, using the respective radio resource block, radio signals to the user terminals among the selected subset of user terminals, in beams corresponding to the determined beam centers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2024
    Assignee: EUROPEAN SPACE AGENCY
    Inventors: Riccardo De Gaudenzi, Piero Angeletti
  • Patent number: 12153207
    Abstract: A radiational cooling film providing a variable wavelength which determines a solar heat shielding rate according to the internal temperature of a facility and changes a wavelength conversion section of the film exposed to sunlight to radiate a necessary wavelength according to the growth stage of plants, and a wavelength conversion device and system using the same are provided. The radiational cooling film providing a variable wavelength includes a base layer including a first region and a second region on one surface, a heat barrier layer disposed on a part of the other surface of the base layer, the first region being provided with the heat barrier layer, and the second region being not provided with the heat barrier layer, and a wavelength conversion layer including a plurality of wavelength conversion sections separated from each other in each of the first region and the second region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2024
    Assignee: SHERPA SPACE INC.
    Inventor: Choa Mun Yun
  • Publication number: 20240386684
    Abstract: A digital model of a structure may be aligned with a device view of the structure using a location marker. In embodiments, the location marker may be an optical marker, a radio beacon, or one or more objects that can be recognized to a unique pattern. Device orientation information is used in conjunction with the location marker to align the digital model, so that the device can overlay one or more AR objects or other information on a view of the structure with relative precision. Other embodiments may be described and/or claimed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 16, 2023
    Publication date: November 21, 2024
    Applicant: Digs Space, Inc.
    Inventors: Ryan R. Fink, Ty Frackiewicz
  • Patent number: 12147807
    Abstract: Automated methods and systems for tuning parameters of detectors based on metrics are provided. The tuning methods and systems include using machine learning to adjust registers used for setting detector parameters in an automated fashion to achieve optimal performance in a time-efficient manner. The tuning process can include determining available registers provided by the detector and setting values within those registers to a starting value. A binary search in either direction from the starting value is then performed to determine the limits of the parameter values for each register. The register values can then be optimized in view of selected metrics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2023
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2024
    Assignee: BAE SYSTEMS SPACE & MISSION SYSTEMS INC.
    Inventors: Joshua D. Funderburg, Samuel Rivera, Cynthia G. Wallace
  • Patent number: 12145075
    Abstract: The invention involves an method, which includes providing a plurality of game cards, each having a grid of tiles formed in a plurality of rows and a plurality of columns. Each tile corresponds to a defined result chosen from a plurality of defined results. The method includes selecting a tile from each of the plurality of game cards, and comparing the defined result of the selected tile to a selected one of the plurality of defined results. The selected one of the plurality of defined results is selected in response to an occurrence.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2024
    Assignee: THIS SPACE LLC
    Inventor: Robert Bugh
  • Patent number: 12148998
    Abstract: In some embodiments, a phased array antenna system includes a carrier having a first side and a second side opposite the first side; a first antenna element and a second antenna element coupled to the first side of the carrier, the second antenna element spaced apart from the first antenna element by a space and a signal conditioning module including a support structure having a first side and a second side opposite the first side, one or more signal conditioning elements coupled to the first side of the support structure, and a plurality of coupling elements coupled to the second side of the support structure, wherein at least one of the plurality of coupling elements electrically couples the signal conditioning module to the first antenna element; and at least another of the plurality of coupling elements electrically couples the signal conditioning module to the carrier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2024
    Assignee: Space Exploration Technologies Corp.
    Inventors: Trevor Cameron, Javier Rodriguez De Luis, Nil Apaydin
  • Publication number: 20240375203
    Abstract: Wire buffer systems that can buffer one or more wires are described. The wire buffer system can include a buffer tube. The buffer tube can include entry passages, exit passages, an outer cylinder, and an inner cylinder. The inner cylinder can be fixed in a position coaxial with the outer cylinder. Flexible wire guides can be coupled to the entry passage. The flexible wire guide can extend in a spiral around the inner cylinder and exit the buffer tube through the exit passage. The wire buffer systems can further include measurement systems. The measurement systems can include time-of-flight (TOF) sensors, linear rails, and carriages.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 8, 2024
    Publication date: November 14, 2024
    Applicant: Relativity Space, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Reid, Fritz C. Gruber, Jeremy Krol, Jenna Johns
  • Patent number: 12142826
    Abstract: In one embodiment of the present disclosure, an antenna apparatus includes a housing assembly including a radome portion and a lower enclosure portion, wherein the radome portion and lower enclosure portion are couplable to form an inner compartment for housing antenna components of the antenna assembly, an antenna stack assembly disposed within the inner compartment, wherein the antenna stack assembly generates heat when in operation, and a heat transfer system within the inner compartment configured to facilitate the flow of heat toward the radome portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2023
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2024
    Assignee: Space Exploration Technologies Corp.
    Inventors: David Milroy, Duncan E. Adams, Andrea Papi, Scott Kaufman, Ersin Yetisir, Anthony Sims
  • Patent number: 12142844
    Abstract: An antenna system that includes a plurality of lens sets. Each lens set includes a lens and at least one feed element. At least one feed element is aligned with the lens and configured to direct a signal through the lens at a desired direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2024
    Assignee: All.Space Networks Limited
    Inventors: Clinton P. Scarborough, Jeremiah P. Turpin, Daniel F. DiFonzo, John Finney
  • Patent number: 12142803
    Abstract: A waveguide component for an orthomode junction or an orthomode transducer includes a common waveguide with a longitudinal direction, the common waveguide includes at least a first portion and a second portion with different cross-sections, and two coupling probes, each arranged orthogonally to the longitudinal direction. The coupling probes are further arranged to couple to different polarization components of an electromagnetic field present in the common waveguide. The second portion of the common waveguide has a cross-section with at most two-fold rotational symmetry.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2024
    Assignee: EUROPEAN SPACE AGENCY
    Inventor: Nelson Fonseca
  • Patent number: 12139276
    Abstract: A system and method for transferring energy and mass (supplies) in low-gravity environments. The system comprises a launcher and a receiver. The launcher hurls a capsule at a high velocity such that, when caught by the receiver, a portion of the kinetic energy of the launched capsule is converted to potential energy and stored. The stored energy is used at the receiver end for applications such as living habitats, mining operations, life-support systems, etc. In some instances, a portion of the initial energy is used to lob the capsule back, if desired. Launchers and receivers can be set up in different spatial configurations in a low-gravity environment such as in a circle with a centrally located launcher, a launcher downstream of a chain of receivers, or other configurations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2024
    Assignee: Space Kinetic Corp
    Inventors: Scott Ziegler, Vu Vuong
  • Patent number: 12142149
    Abstract: A method for authorizing the flight of an aircraft provided with a hybrid power plant having at least one heat engine and at least one electric motor electrically connected to an electrical energy source comprising several electrical accumulators. The method comprises extracting (STP1), while on the ground, an electrical energy or an electrical power to be extracted from the electrical energy source during a predetermined time period and determining (STP2) for the electrical accumulators, respective initial values of an operating parameter, calculating (STP3) an average value from the initial values, determining (STP4) a minimum value from the measured initial values, issuing an authorization when a difference between the average value and the minimum value is less than a threshold and a prohibition when said difference between the average value and the minimum value is greater than or equal to the threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2023
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2024
    Assignees: AIRBUS HELICOPTERS, AIRBUS DEFENSE & SPACE SAS
    Inventors: Jeremy Camus, Julien Laurent
  • Patent number: 12144078
    Abstract: The present disclosure presents lighting control systems and related methods. One such system comprises a light emitting device comprising a plurality of channels, each channel of the plurality of channels including one or more light emitting diodes configured to emit light at a respective predominant wavelength, and a plurality of direct current drivers, each direct current driver of the plurality of direct current drivers supplying power to a respective channel of the plurality of channels. The system further includes a router module that is configured to communicate with the light emitting device; and a graphical user interface configured to specify and control a plurality of parameters of each channel of the plurality of channels, wherein the plurality of parameters enable adjustment of a spectral content, intensity, and schedule of illumination, in addition to enabling a DC mode of operation or a pulse width modulation (PWM) mode of operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2023
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2024
    Assignee: ASTRO SPACE, LLC
    Inventor: William F. Probasco
  • Patent number: 12137354
    Abstract: In an embodiment, an apparatus includes an antenna assembly configured to transmit and receive beams in time-varying directions, and a beam steering controller configured to determine a first beam pointing vector by searching for a satellite from a plurality of satellites included in the communication system. The antenna assembly maintains a communication link with a satellite of the plurality of satellites by determining a plurality of beam pointing vectors that converge to increasing signal quality measurements, the satellite associated with the first beam pointing vector. The beam steering controller is configured to obtain, from the satellite, satellite ephemeris information of the satellite and one or more of remaining satellites of the plurality of satellites. The beam steering controller is configured to determine an orientation of the antenna assembly based on the satellite ephemeris information and the plurality of beam pointing vectors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2024
    Assignee: Space Exploration Technologies Corp.
    Inventor: Martin S. McCormick
  • Patent number: 12137163
    Abstract: A method of encrypting data, in particular encrypting data in dependence on a user verification confidence level. An encryption algorithm is provided, data is input into the encryption algorithm, along with a public key and an access structure comprising the user verification confidence level. The encryption algorithm is run to output a cypher text of encrypted data, whereby the access structure is embedded into the cypher text such that only an entity satisfying the access structure can decrypt the cypher text.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2024
    Assignee: Airbus Defence and Space Limited
    Inventor: Patrick Francis
  • Patent number: 12136977
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer-readable media are provided for hybrid beamforming. An example method can include determining a plurality of digital beamforming weights associated with a plurality of digital beamforming paths between digital beamformers and groups of analog beamforming circuits in a phased array antenna, each digital beamforming path being coupled to a group of analog beamforming circuits and each analog beamforming circuit being coupled to a respective set of antenna elements of the phased array antenna, and determining analog beamforming weights associated with the groups of analog beamforming circuits. The analog beamforming weights are estimated to put analog beamforming paths associated with the groups of analog beamforming circuits in a desired phase and gain relationship with each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2023
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2024
    Assignee: Space Exploration Technologies Corp.
    Inventors: Eric Pepin, Kim W. Schulze, Amir Agah, Dean A. De Carli, Philippe Riondet
  • Patent number: 12133520
    Abstract: A rodent protection insert for a structure opening including a flexible polymer foam sheet having a protective mesh sheet carried on a front side which moves independently of the foam sheet. A securing member maintains a mechanical connection between the flexible polymer foam sheet and the mesh sheet. An airflow port is disposed in the flexible polymer foam sheet that includes a removable plug for controlling airflow through the airflow port. A perimeter edge of the flexible polymer foam sheet compresses against and conforms to interior wall surfaces within a structure opening when mounted to form an airtight seal against the interior wall surfaces and hold the foam sheet in place. The protective mesh sheet engages the interior wall surfaces when the flexible polymer foam sheet is compressed in the structure opening so that the protective mesh sheet stabilizes and supports the flexible polymer foam sheet within the structure opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2024
    Assignee: Your Crawl Space Inc.
    Inventor: Henry Bennie Marshall, III
  • Patent number: 12136163
    Abstract: Measures, including a method, system, and computer program, for performing in-mission photogrammetry while an imaging platform is surveying a target environment. A plurality of images of the target environment are captured by the imaging platform. At the imaging platform, a representative subset of images is identified from the captured plurality of images. The imaging platform transmits the identified representative subset to a processing node. At the processing node, the transmitted representative subset is processed to generate a virtual model of the target environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2024
    Assignee: Airbus Defence and Space Limited
    Inventor: Stuart Taylor
  • Publication number: 20240361478
    Abstract: A method for determining an electron density in a portion of an ionosphere includes: receiving, at a satellite in orbit, a signal transmitted from a ground-based transmitter through a portion of the ionosphere between the satellite and the ground transmitter; receiving, at the satellite, a reflection of the signal from a portion of the ionosphere above the satellite; and determining, based on the signal received at the satellite transmitted from the ground-based transmitter through the portion of the ionosphere between the satellite and the ground-based transmitter and the reflection of the signal received from the portion of the ionosphere above the satellite, an electron density of the portion of the ionosphere above the satellite.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 26, 2024
    Publication date: October 31, 2024
    Applicant: Atmospheric & Space Technology Research Associates, L.L.C. dba Orion Space Solutions
    Inventors: Joseph HUGHES, Ryan BLAY, Ian COLLETT, Geoffrey CROWLEY
  • Patent number: D1050322
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2024
    Assignee: Shenzhen Chuangzhi Space Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Daowu Liao