Patents by Inventor Eric J. Roulo

Eric J. Roulo 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).

  • Active steering of an appendage on a spacecraft using piezoelectric actuators
    Patent number: 6450453
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods for pointing a non-deployable or deployable appendage disposed on a spacecraft. The appendage is secured to a backup structure comprising a plurality of beams. A plurality of control beams are secured to the backup structure. A plurality of deformation control elements, such as piezoelectric elements, for example, are secured to selected surfaces of the plurality of control beams. The deformation control elements are connected to a control source, such as a voltage control source, for example. Selected deformation control elements are activated to deform the associated control beams to point the deployable appendage in a desired direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2002
    Assignee: Space Systems/Loral, Inc.
    Inventor: Eric J. Roulo