Patents by Inventor Brandon Van

Brandon Van 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).

  • HINGE-LOCKING MECHANISM FOR DEPLOYABLE SOLAR ARRAY
    Publication number: 20260074646
    Abstract: Artificial satellites are dependent on solar arrays to produce the power needed to support the functional components of the satellite. The present invention is directed to a hinge-locking mechanism designed to maximize the photovoltaic real estate of a solar array of an artificial satellite. The hinge-locking mechanism facilitates the deployment of the solar array upon the artificial satellite entering orbit. The hinge-locking mechanism utilizes a tapered pin with an internal spring resting against an asymmetrically oval shaped cam of a common pivot point. The hinge-lock trades kinetic energy of a solar panel for spring compression to permanently lock the solar array in place upon deployment while reducing the shock load and maximizing deployed stiffness.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 12, 2025
    Publication date: March 12, 2026
    Applicant: Xplore Inc.
    Inventors: Brian Riskas, Brandon Van
  • Hinge-locking mechanism for deployable solar array
    Patent number: 12494735
    Abstract: Artificial satellites are dependent on solar arrays to produce the power needed to support the functional components of the satellite. The present invention is directed to a hinge-locking mechanism designed to maximize the photovoltaic real estate of a solar array of an artificial satellite. The hinge-locking mechanism facilitates the deployment of the solar array upon the artificial satellite entering orbit. The hinge-locking mechanism utilizes a tapered pin with an internal spring resting against an asymmetrically oval shaped cam of a common pivot point. The hinge-lock trades kinetic energy of a solar panel for spring compression to permanently lock the solar array in place upon deployment while reducing the shock load and maximizing deployed stiffness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2024
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2025
    Assignee: Xplore Inc.
    Inventors: Brian Riskas, Brandon Van
  • HINGE-LOCKING MECHANISM FOR DEPLOYABLE SOLAR ARRAY
    Publication number: 20250119093
    Abstract: Artificial satellites are dependent on solar arrays to produce the power needed to support the functional components of the satellite. The present invention is directed to a hinge-locking mechanism designed to maximize the photovoltaic real estate of a solar array of an artificial satellite. The hinge-locking mechanism facilitates the deployment of the solar array upon the artificial satellite entering orbit. The hinge-locking mechanism utilizes a tapered pin with an internal spring resting against an asymmetrically oval shaped cam of a common pivot point. The hinge-lock trades kinetic energy of a solar panel for spring compression to permanently lock the solar array in place upon deployment while reducing the shock load and maximizing deployed stiffness.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 7, 2024
    Publication date: April 10, 2025
    Applicant: Xplore Inc.
    Inventors: Brian Riskas, Brandon Van