Patents by Inventor Jean Portier

Jean Portier 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).

  • Method for controlling the pitch attitude of a satellite by means of solar radiation pressure
    Patent number: 5850992
    Abstract: A satellite embodying at least one surface intended mainly for exposure to solar radiation and extending away from the satellite in a predetermined direction (Y), an on board computer having connected thereto an attitude sensing system, an orbit control system for imparting thrust to the satellite along predetermined axes, and an attitude control system. The satellite further embodies a device for controlling the tilt of the surface in parallel with a plurality of planes containing the predetermined direction; and, therefore, particularly in parallel with the plane of a solar panel forming the surface. The tilt control device is controlled by the on-board computer. The tilting can generate a moment of pitch or relocate the center of gravity onto the axis of the orbit control system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 22, 1998
    Assignee: Aerospatiale Societe Nationale Industrielle
    Inventors: Patrick Flament, Michel Perdu, Jean Portier, Pierre Brunet
  • Apparatus controlling the pitch attitude of a satellite by means of solar radiation pressure
    Patent number: 5626315
    Abstract: A satellite embodying at least one surface intended mainly for exposure to solar radiation and extending away from the satellite in a predetermined direction (Y), an onboard computer having connected thereto an attitude sensing system, an orbit control system for imparting thrust to the satellite along predetermined axes, and an attitude control system. The satellite further embodies a device for controlling the tilt of the surface in parallel with a plurality of planes containing the predetermined direction; and, therefore, particularly in parallel with the plane of a solar panel forming the surface. The tilt control device is controlled by the onboard computer. The tilting can generate a moment of pitch or relocate the center of gravity onto the axis of the orbit control system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 6, 1997
    Assignee: Aerospatiale Societe Nationale Industrielle
    Inventors: Patrick Flament, Michel Perdu, Jean Portier, Pierre Brunet
  • Method for controlling the pitch attitude of a satellite by means of solar radiation pressure and satellite, in particular an electric propulsion satellite, suitable for implementation of the method
    Patent number: 5312073
    Abstract: A satellite embodying at least one surface intended mainly for exposure to solar radiation and extending away from the satellite in a predetermined direction (Y), an on-board computer having connected thereto an attitude sensing system, an orbit control system for imparting thrust to the satellite along predetermined axes, and an attitude control system. The satellite further embodies a device for controlling the tilt of the surface in parallel with a plurality of planes containing the predetermined direction; and, therefore, particularly in parallel with the plane of a solar panel forming the surface. The tilt control device is controlled by the on-board computer. The tilting can generate a moment of pitch or relocate the center of gravity onto the axis of the orbit control system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 1992
    Date of Patent: May 17, 1994
    Assignee: Aerospatiale Societe Nationale Industrielle
    Inventors: Patrick Flament, Michel Perdu, Jean Portier, Pierre Brunet