Patents by Inventor Billy W. McGee

Billy W. McGee has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 6595470
    Abstract: Radiator assembly (10) for use on a spacecraft (12) is provided including at least one radiator panel assembly (26) repeatably movable between a panel stowed position (28) and a panel deployed position (36), at least two flexible lines (40) in fluid communication with the at least one radiator panel assembly (26) and repeatably movable between a stowage loop (42) and a flattened deployed loop (44).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2003
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Bryan V. Keeler, Arthur Mathias Lehtinen, Billy W. McGee
  • Patent number: 6581883
    Abstract: A solar cell array assembly that is configured to be stowed in the payload bay of a low earth orbit space vehicle utilizes hinged panels comprising foldable outboard panels and inboard panels. The inboard panels are connected along their respective facing edges to an elongated structural boom one end of which is affixed to a deployment arm. The deployment arm has a shoulder connected to the payload bay, an upper arm, an elbow joint and a fore arm. The fore arm provides two rotational drives having respectively orthogonal axes. The panels are shaped to conform to the shape of the hinged payload bay doors which load the panels in the stowed configuration. The Complete Solar array assembly is a six degree of freedom mechanism that articulates the cell substrates out of a stowed volume (payload bay) to a selected orientation for solar array articulation relative to the sun, optimum power generation, and mission operations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2003
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Billy W. McGee, Bryan V. Keeler, James Q. Pfister
  • Publication number: 20030085323
    Abstract: Radiator assembly (10) for use on a spacecraft (12) is provided including at least one radiator panel assembly (26) repeatably movable between a panel stowed position (28) and a panel deployed position (36), at least two flexible lines (40) in fluid communication with the at least one radiator panel assembly (26) and repeatably movable between a stowage loop (42) and a flattened deployed loop (44).
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 2, 2001
    Publication date: May 8, 2003
    Inventors: Bryan V. Keeler, Arthur Mathias Lehtinen, Billy W. McGee
  • Publication number: 20030015625
    Abstract: A solar cell array assembly that is configured to be stowed in the payload bay of a low earth orbit space vehicle utilizes hinged panels comprising foldable outboard panels and inboard panels. The inboard panels are connected along their respective facing edges to an elongated structural boom one end of which is affixed to a deployment arm. The deployment arm has a shoulder connected to the payload bay, an upper arm, an elbow joint and a fore arm. The fore arm provides two rotational drives having respectively orthogonal axes. The panels are shaped to conform to the shape of the hinged payload bay doors which load the panels in the stowed configuration. The Complete Solar array assembly is a six degree of freedom mechanism that articulates the cell substrates out of a stowed volume (payload bay) to a selected orientation for solar array articulation relative to the sun, optimum power generation, and mission operations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 13, 2001
    Publication date: January 23, 2003
    Applicant: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Billy W. McGee, Bryan V. Keeler, James Q. Pfister