Patents by Inventor Matthew Alan Michel

Matthew Alan Michel 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).

  • Publication number: 20240083602
    Abstract: Vehicle capture assemblies and related devices, systems, and methods include one or more probe assemblies for engaging with and securing the target vehicle. The one or more probe assemblies may include one or more attenuation features or movable joints to enable and/or dampen movement of the one or more probe assemblies relative to a capture vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 25, 2023
    Publication date: March 14, 2024
    Inventors: Matthew Alan Michel, Michael Alfred Tosto, Kevin David Tebbe, Daisaku Inoyama, John Francis Papayanopoulos
  • Patent number: 11827386
    Abstract: Vehicle capture assemblies and related devices, systems, and methods include one or more probe assemblies for engaging with and securing the target vehicle. The one or more probe assemblies may include one or more attenuation features or movable joints to enable and/or dampen movement of the one or more probe assemblies relative to a capture vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2023
    Assignee: Northrop Grumman Systems Corporation
    Inventors: Matthew Alan Michel, Michael Alfred Tosto, Kevin David Tebbe, Daisaku Inoyama, John Francis Papayanopoulos
  • Patent number: 11434026
    Abstract: Methods and systems for mitigating or reducing the risk of an electrostatic discharge due to static charge differentials between a first spacecraft and a second spacecraft as the first spacecraft approaches the second spacecraft may be accomplished using a passive electrostatic discharge mitigation device. In some embodiments, mitigation of static potential between the first spacecraft and the second spacecraft may be actively accomplished by an electric propulsion system provided on the first spacecraft. In some embodiments, mitigation may be provided by both actively and passively mitigating static potential between the first spacecraft and the second spacecraft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2022
    Assignee: Northrop Grumman Systems Corporation
    Inventors: Christine A. Agathon-Burton, Matthew Alan Michel, Dewey Edwin Cochran, Ronald Lynn Graham, Gregg A. Herbert, William A. Llorens
  • Publication number: 20210339893
    Abstract: Vehicle capture assemblies and related devices, systems, and methods include one or more probe assemblies for passively engaging with and securing the target vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 20, 2021
    Publication date: November 4, 2021
    Inventors: Matthew Alan Michel, Michael Alfred Tosto, Kevin David Tebbe, Daisaku Inoyama, John Francis Papayanopoulos
  • Publication number: 20210339892
    Abstract: Vehicle capture assemblies and related devices, systems, and methods include one or more probe assemblies for engaging with and securing the target vehicle. The one or more probe assemblies may include one or more attenuation features or movable joints.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 20, 2021
    Publication date: November 4, 2021
    Inventors: Matthew Alan Michel, Michael Alfred Tosto, Kevin David Tebbe, Daisaku Inoyama, John Francis Papayanopoulos
  • Patent number: 11104459
    Abstract: Capture assemblies and compliant extension assemblies may be utilized for insertion into a nozzle of a liquid engine of a spacecraft. The capture assembly may include an apparatus such as a probe for insertion into the nozzle and an assembly at least partially enclosed in a forward portion of the probe. The assembly may include a plurality of actuated fingers for deploying outwardly from the probe when the probe is inserted into the nozzle. The compliant extension assembly may be at least partially enclosed in a housing connected to the capture assembly for axial movement of the probe. The compliant extension assembly may facilitate axial movement of the probe between a retracted position and an extended position, wherein the probe is extended forwardly, relative to the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2021
    Assignee: Northrop Grumman Systems Corporation
    Inventors: Peter O. Sorensen, Matthew Alan Michel, William A. Llorens, David M. Murphy, Jeffrey Braden, Michael Edward McEachen, Michael Foster
  • Publication number: 20210031951
    Abstract: Methods and systems for mitigating or reducing the risk of an electrostatic discharge due to static charge differentials between a first spacecraft and a second spacecraft as the first spacecraft approaches the second spacecraft may be accomplished using a passive electrostatic discharge mitigation device. In some embodiments, mitigation of static potential between the first spacecraft and the second spacecraft may be actively accomplished by an electric propulsion system provided on the first spacecraft. In some embodiments, mitigation may be provided by both actively and passively mitigating static potential between the first spacecraft and the second spacecraft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 19, 2020
    Publication date: February 4, 2021
    Inventors: Christine A. Agathon-Burton, Matthew Alan Michel, Dewey Edwin Cochran, Ronald Lynn Graham, Gregg A. Herbert, William A. Llorens
  • Patent number: 10850871
    Abstract: Methods and systems for mitigating or reducing the risk of an electrostatic discharge due to static charge differentials between a first spacecraft and a second spacecraft as the first spacecraft approaches the second spacecraft may be accomplished using a passive electrostatic discharge mitigation device. In some embodiments, mitigation of static potential between the first spacecraft and the second spacecraft may be actively accomplished by an electric propulsion system provided on the first spacecraft. In some embodiments, mitigation may be provided by both actively and passively mitigating static potential between the first spacecraft and the second spacecraft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2020
    Assignee: Northrop Grumman Innovation Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Christine A. Agathon-Burton, Matthew Alan Michel, Dewey Edwin Cochran, Ronald Lynn Graham, Gregg A. Herbert, William A. Llorens
  • Publication number: 20180297722
    Abstract: Methods and systems for mitigating or reducing the risk of an electrostatic discharge due to static charge differentials between a first spacecraft and a second spacecraft as the first spacecraft approaches the second spacecraft may be accomplished using a passive electrostatic discharge mitigation device. In some embodiments, mitigation of static potential between the first spacecraft and the second spacecraft may be actively accomplished by an electric propulsion system provided on the first spacecraft. In some embodiments, mitigation may be provided by both actively and passively mitigating static potential between the first spacecraft and the second spacecraft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 1, 2017
    Publication date: October 18, 2018
    Inventors: Christine A. Agathon-Burton, Matthew Alan Michel, Dewey Edwin Cochran, Ronald Lynn Graham, Gregg A. Herbert, William A. Llorens
  • Publication number: 20180297723
    Abstract: Capture assemblies and compliant extension assemblies may be utilized for insertion into a nozzle of a liquid engine of a spacecraft. The capture assembly may include an apparatus such as a probe for insertion into the nozzle and an assembly at least partially enclosed in a forward portion of the probe. The assembly may include a plurality of actuated fingers for deploying outwardly from the probe when the probe is inserted into the nozzle. The compliant extension assembly may be at least partially enclosed in a housing connected to the capture assembly for axial movement of the probe. The compliant extension assembly may facilitate axial movement of the probe between a retracted position and an extended position, wherein the probe is extended forwardly, relative to the housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 1, 2017
    Publication date: October 18, 2018
    Inventors: Peter O. Sorensen, Matthew Alan Michel, William A. Llorens, David M. Murphy, Jeffrey Braden, Michael Edward McEachen, Michael Foster
  • Patent number: 7004073
    Abstract: A bellows, spool, and collar system for dispensing projectiles and submunitions with a predictable and uniform pattern is disclosed. The system utilizes projectiles densely packed in a spool. A plurality of spools is packaged in a missile, bomb, or similar tubular device with an energetic bellows actuator between each spool. The energetic bellows actuator expands rapidly to push a spool of projectiles out of the tubular housing. Timing means is provided for each bellows to provide proper axial spacing between spools prior to subsequently timed release of the projectiles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2006
    Assignee: Lockheed Martin Corporation
    Inventor: Matthew Alan Michel