Patents by Inventor John T. Dorsey
John T. Dorsey 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).
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Publication number: 20220100930Abstract: The present disclosure describes systems and methods for mapping a planar surface to a curved surface. One such method comprises providing a planar lattice pattern having identical regular polygon shapes which can be truss support modules for supporting a curved surface structure. Method further include determining respective positions of the nodal points of the identical polygon shapes by placing a starting nodal point on an axis of symmetry of the planar lattice pattern and iteratively positioning each nodal point in relation to already placed neighboring nodes to make a distance between a currently positioned nodal point optimally close with a set value of the planar lattice pattern. Method still further comprises forming a curved lattice pattern of the truss support module based on the positions of the nodal points of the identical polygon shapes.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 28, 2021Publication date: March 31, 2022Inventors: William R. DOGGETT, BRACE W/ WHITE, JOHN T. DORSEY, JULIA E. CLINE, DAVID KANG, KYONGCHAN SONG, JOHN E TETER, JR., DAVID A. PADDOCK, I.O.K. M. WONG, ROUNAK MIKHOPADHYAY, ROBERT F. MARTIN, PATRICK A. COSGROVE, DAMON E. SHEAFFER, B.DANETTE ALLEN, WALTER J. WALTZ, RALPH A. WILLIAMS, SHERIF A. SHAZLY, JOHN R. COOPER, MATTHEW P. VAUGHAN, JAMES V. PLANT
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Patent number: 10858126Abstract: A deformable closure mechanism for an aperture that may include an aperture seal that has a seal seat between an internal support structure and an external support structure. A barrier structure may be configured to resealably close the aperture, and have a central membrane and a barrier sealed that is inflatable in order to engage the barrier structure with the aperture seal.Type: GrantFiled: February 24, 2017Date of Patent: December 8, 2020Assignee: UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AS REPRESENTED BY THE ADMINISTRATOR OF NASAInventors: William R. Doggett, Timothy S. Roach, Gerard D. Valle, Molly M. Selig, Winfred S. Kenner, Thomas C. Jones, Judith J. Watson, Lynn M. Bowman, Mary Jane E. O'Rourke, Bryan C. Yount, Alberto Makino, John T. Dorsey, Russell W. Smith, Clarence E. Stanfield, Jasen L. Raboin
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Publication number: 20200124071Abstract: Systems, methods, and devices of the various embodiments may provide a joint suitable for use with space systems, such as robotic space systems, (e.g., Extra Vehicular Activity (EVA) space systems, Intra Vehicular Activity (IVA) space systems, etc.), etc. Various embodiments provide a joint configured to enable structural connection of structural elements, such as trusses, antenna boom sections, beams, etc., including cantilevered elements. Various embodiments provide a joint configured to enable connection of truss structure sections. Various embodiments may provide a robotic erectable joint including an active joint half and a passive joint half configured to connect to the active joint half to thereby form the robotic erectable joint when so connected, wherein the robotic erectable joint has a noncircular cross section (e.g., polygon (e.g., square, triangle, hexagon, etc.) cross section, oval cross section, ellipse cross section, etc.).Type: ApplicationFiled: October 22, 2019Publication date: April 23, 2020Inventors: William R. Doggett, BRUCE D. KING, JOHN T DORSEY, STEPHEN J. HALES, CHRISTOPHER S. DOMACK
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Patent number: 10569415Abstract: A manipulator includes first and second link arms which are connected together by a hinge. A cable actuation and tensioning system is provided between the link arms and includes a spreader arm, a driven element attached to each link arm and a cable engaged with the respective driven element and attached to the spreader arm. At least one of the arms, or all of the arms, can telescope to shorten or lengthen the arm(s) by movement of the system. The spreader arm may also be configured to slide relative to the first and second link arms to change the position of the spreader arm relative to the first and second link arms.Type: GrantFiled: August 31, 2016Date of Patent: February 25, 2020Assignee: UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AS REPRESENTED BY THE ADMINISTRATOR OF NASAInventors: William R. Doggett, John T. Dorsey, Thomas C. Jones, Bruce D. King
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Patent number: 10195749Abstract: A tension stiffened and tendon actuated manipulator is provided performing robotic-like movements when acquiring a payload. The manipulator design can be adapted for use in-space, lunar or other planetary installations as it is readily configurable for acquiring and precisely manipulating a payload in both a zero-g environment and in an environment with a gravity field. The manipulator includes a plurality of link arms, a hinge connecting adjacent link arms together to allow the adjacent link arms to rotate relative to each other and a cable actuation and tensioning system provided between adjacent link arms. The cable actuation and tensioning system includes a spreader arm and a plurality of driven and non-driven elements attached to the link arms and the spreader arm. At least one cable is routed around the driven and non-driven elements for actuating the hinge.Type: GrantFiled: October 26, 2015Date of Patent: February 5, 2019Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Administrator of NASAInventors: William R. Doggett, John T. Dorsey, George G. Ganoe, Bruce D. King, Thomas C. Jones, Charles D. Mercer, Cole K. Corbin
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Publication number: 20180056510Abstract: A manipulator includes first and second link arms which are connected together by a hinge. A cable actuation and tensioning system is provided between the link arms and includes a spreader arm, a driven element attached to each link arm and a cable engaged with the respective driven element and attached to the spreader arm. At least one of the arms, or all of the arms, can telescope to shorten or lengthen the arm(s) by movement of the system. The spreader arm may also be configured to slide relative to the first and second link arms to change the position of the spreader arm relative to the first and second link arms.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 31, 2016Publication date: March 1, 2018Inventors: WILLIAM R. DOGGETT, JOHN T. DORSEY, THOMAS C. JONES, BRUCE D. KING
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Publication number: 20170247127Abstract: A deformable closure mechanism for an aperture that may include an aperture seal that has a seal seat between an internal support structure and an external support structure. A barrier structure may be configured to resealably close the aperture, and have a central membrane and a barrier sealed that is inflatable in order to engage the barrier structure with the aperture seal.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 24, 2017Publication date: August 31, 2017Inventors: WILLIAM R. DOGGETT, TIMOTHY S. ROACH, GERARD D. VALLE, MOLLY M. SELIG, WINFRED S. KENNER, THOMAS C. JONES, JUDITH J. WATSON, LYNN M. BOWMAN, MARY JANE E. O'ROURKE, BRYAN C. YOUNT, ALBERTO MAKINO, JOHN T. DORSEY, RUSSELL W. SMITH, CLARENCE E. STANFIELD, JASEN L. RABOIN
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Publication number: 20160107321Abstract: A tension stiffened and tendon actuated manipulator is provided performing robotic-like movements when acquiring a payload. The manipulator design can be adapted for use in-space, lunar or other planetary installations as it is readily configurable for acquiring and precisely manipulating a payload in both a zero-g environment and in an environment with a gravity field. The manipulator includes a plurality of link arms, a hinge connecting adjacent link arms together to allow the adjacent link arms to rotate relative to each other and a cable actuation and tensioning system provided between adjacent link arms. The cable actuation and tensioning system includes a spreader arm and a plurality of driven and non-driven elements attached to the link aims and the spreader arm. At least one cable is routed around the driven and non-driven elements for actuating the hinge.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 26, 2015Publication date: April 21, 2016Inventors: William R. Doggett, John T. Dorsey, George G. Ganoe, Bruce D. King, Thomas C. Jones, Charles D. Mercer, Cole K. Corbin
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Patent number: 9168659Abstract: A tension stiffened and tendon actuated manipulator is provided performing robotic-like movements when acquiring a payload. The manipulator design can be adapted for use in-space, lunar or other planetary installations as it is readily configurable for acquiring and precisely manipulating a payload in both a zero-g environment and in an environment with a gravity field. The manipulator includes a plurality of link arms, a hinge connecting adjacent link arms together to allow the adjacent link arms to rotate relative to each other and a cable actuation and tensioning system provided between adjacent link arms. The cable actuation and tensioning system includes a spreader arm and a plurality of driven and non-driven elements attached to the link arms and the spreader arm. At least one cable is routed around the driven and non-driven elements for actuating the hinge.Type: GrantFiled: April 17, 2013Date of Patent: October 27, 2015Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space AdministrationInventors: William R. Doggett, John T. Dorsey, George G. Ganoe, Bruce D. King, Thomas C. Jones, Charles D. Mercer, Cole K. Corbin
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Publication number: 20130305867Abstract: A tension stiffened and tendon actuated manipulator is provided performing robotic-like movements when acquiring a payload. The manipulator design can be adapted for use in-space, lunar or other planetary installations as it is readily configurable for acquiring and precisely manipulating a payload in both a zero-g environment and in an environment with a gravity field. The manipulator includes a plurality of link arms, a hinge connecting adjacent link arms together to allow the adjacent link arms to rotate relative to each other and a cable actuation and tensioning system provided between adjacent link arms. The cable actuation and tensioning system includes a spreader arm and a plurality of driven and non-driven elements attached to the link arms and the spreader arm. At least one cable is routed around the driven and non-driven elements for actuating the hinge.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 17, 2013Publication date: November 21, 2013Inventors: William R. Doggett, John T. Dorsey, George G. Ganoe, Bruce D. King, Thomas C. Jones, Charles D. Mercer, Cole K. Corbin
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Patent number: 7878348Abstract: A payload lifter/manipulator module includes a rotatable joint supporting spreader arms angularly spaced with respect to one another. A rigid arm is fixedly coupled to the joint and extends out therefrom to a tip. A tension arm has a first end and a second end with the first end being fixedly coupled to the tip of the rigid arm. The tension arm incorporates pivots along the length thereof. Each pivot can be engaged by or disengaged from the outboard end of a spreader arm based on a position of the spreader arm. A hoist, positioned remotely with respect to the module and coupled to the second end of the tension arm, controls the position of the spreader arms to thereby control the position of the rigid arm's tip. Payload lifter/manipulator assemblies can be constructed with one or more of the modules.Type: GrantFiled: October 9, 2008Date of Patent: February 1, 2011Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space AdministrationInventors: William R. Doggett, Bruce D. King, Timothy J. Collins, John T. Dorsey
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Publication number: 20090134107Abstract: A payload lifter/manipulator module includes a rotatable joint supporting spreader arms angularly spaced with respect to one another. A rigid arm is fixedly coupled to the joint and extends out therefrom to a tip. A tension arm has a first end and a second end with the first end being fixedly coupled to the tip of the rigid arm. The tension arm incorporates pivots along the length thereof. Each pivot can be engaged by or disengaged from the outboard end of a spreader arm based on a position of the spreader arm. A hoist, positioned remotely with respect to the module and coupled to the second end of the tension arm, controls the position of the spreader arms to thereby control the position of the rigid arm's tip. Payload lifter/manipulator assemblies can be constructed with one or more of the modules.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 9, 2008Publication date: May 28, 2009Applicant: USA as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space AdministrationInventors: William R. Doggett, Bruce D. King, Timothy J. Collins, John T. Dorsey