Patents by Inventor Mark Honda

Mark Honda 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).

  • Measurement of current and voltage of an in-orbit solar array
    Patent number: 8159366
    Abstract: An apparatus comprises switches, a measurement unit, and a telemetry subsystem. The switches connect the current sources to a power bus when in a first position and to the measurement unit when the switches are in a second position. The measurement unit generates a ramp signal to control the solar strings from an open circuit state to a short circuit state linearly in a short duration and provides continuous current and voltage telemetry data at the output while the set of switches is in the second position. The telemetry subsystem is pre-set to a dwell mode and samples a large amount of voltage and current telemetry data. The telemetry subsystem transmits this data to ground directly to eliminate the need for processing and storage resources in the spacecraft. The telemetry data is used to plot I-V curve for health monitoring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2012
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Winnie Wai-Yue Choy, Ich D. Ngo, David J. Walter, Mark Honda
  • MEASUREMENT OF CURRENT AND VOLTAGE OF AN IN-ORBIT SOLAR ARRAY
    Publication number: 20100013665
    Abstract: An apparatus comprises switches, a measurement unit, and a telemetry subsystem. The switches connect the current sources to a power bus when in a first position and to the measurement unit when the switches are in a second position. The measurement unit generates a ramp signal to control the solar strings from an open circuit state to a short circuit state linearly in a short duration and provides continuous current and voltage telemetry data at the output while the set of switches is in the second position. The telemetry subsystem is pre-set to a dwell mode and samples a large amount of voltage and current telemetry data. The telemetry subsystem transmits this data to ground directly to eliminate the need for processing and storage resources in the spacecraft. The telemetry data is used to plot I-V curve for health monitoring.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 16, 2008
    Publication date: January 21, 2010
    Inventors: Winnie Wai-Yue Choy, Ich D. Ngo, David J. Walter, Mark Honda
  • BATTERY OVERTEMPERATURE CONTROL SYSTEM AND METHOD
    Publication number: 20050137823
    Abstract: A control system and method for a battery charger. The system includes a processor that receives inputs from a battery current sensor and temperature sensors within the batteries. The processor terminates and resumes charging in response to measured battery temperatures compared to stored reference values in order to prevent high temperatures associated with damage to the batteries.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2003
    Publication date: June 23, 2005
    Inventors: Craig Becker-Irvin, Mark Honda