Patents by Inventor Neil Diedrickson

Neil Diedrickson 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).

  • Earth horizon sensor with staggered array of sensors
    Patent number: 5744801
    Abstract: The earth horizon sensor apparatus uses first and second linear sensor arrays of sensor elements, the first and second linear sensor arrays being staggered with respect to each other. The sensor elements are preferably pyroelectric elements for detecting the presence or absence of infrared radiation from the Earth and Space. A microprocessor is used to determine which of the sensor elements subtends the diffuse horizon gradient and the constant zero radiance of Space. The attitude of the spacecraft is thereby calculated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 1995
    Date of Patent: April 28, 1998
    Assignee: Servo Corporation of America
    Inventor: Neil Diedrickson