Abstract: This invention is a method and supporting apparatus for autonomously capturing, servicing and de-orbiting a free-flying spacecraft, such as a satellite, using robotics. The capture of the spacecraft includes the steps of optically seeking and ranging the satellite using LIDAR; and matching tumble rates, rendezvousing and berthing with the satellite. Servicing of the spacecraft may be done using supervised autonomy, which is allowing a robot to execute a sequence of instructions without intervention from a remote human-occupied location. These instructions may be packaged at the remote station in a script and uplinked to the robot for execution upon remote command giving authority to proceed. Alternately, the instructions may be generated by Artificial Intelligence (AI) logic onboard the robot. In either case, the remote operator maintains the ability to abort an instruction or script at any time, as well as the ability to intervene using manual override to teleoperate the robot.

Abstract: This invention is a method and supporting apparatus for autonomously capturing, servicing and de-orbiting a free-flying spacecraft, such as a satellite, using robotics. The capture of the spacecraft includes the steps of optically seeking and ranging the satellite using LIDAR, and matching tumble rates, rendezvousing and berthing with the satellite. Servicing of the spacecraft may be done using supervised autonomy, which is allowing a robot to execute a sequence of instructions without intervention from a remote human-occupied location. These instructions may be packaged at the remote station in a script and uplinked to the robot for execution upon remote command giving authority to proceed. Alternately, the instructions may be generated by Artificial Intelligence (AI) logic onboard the robot. In either case, the remote operator maintains the ability to abort an instruction or script at any time as well as the ability to intervene using manual override to teleoperate the robot.

Abstract: This invention is a method and supporting apparatus for autonomously capturing, servicing and de-orbiting a free-flying spacecraft, such as a satellite, using robotics. The capture of the spacecraft includes the steps of optically seeking and ranging the satellite using LIDAR; and matching tumble rates, rendezvousing and berthing with the satellite. Servicing of the spacecraft may be done using supervised autonomy, which is allowing a robot to execute a sequence of instructions without intervention from a remote human-occupied location. These instructions may be packaged at the remote station in a script and uplinked to the robot for execution upon remote command giving authority to proceed. Alternately, the instructions may be generated by Artificial Intelligence (AI) logic onboard the robot. In either case, the remote operator maintains the ability to abort an instruction or script at any time, as well as the ability to intervene using manual override to teleoperate the robot.

Abstract: This invention is a method and supporting apparatus for autonomously capturing, servicing and de-orbiting a free-flying spacecraft, such as a satellite, using robotics. The capture of the spacecraft includes the steps of optically seeking and ranging the satellite using LIDAR; and matching tumble rates, rendezvousing and berthing with the satellite. Servicing of the spacecraft may be done using supervised autonomy, which is allowing a robot to execute a sequence of instructions without intervention from a remote human-occupied location. These instructions may be packaged at the remote station in a script and uplinked to the robot for execution upon remote command giving authority to proceed. Alternately, the instructions may be generated by Artificial Intelligence (AI) logic onboard the robot. In either case, the remote operator maintains the ability to abort an instruction or script at any time, as well as the ability to intervene using manual override to teleoperate the robot.

Abstract: This invention is a method and supporting apparatus for autonomously capturing, servicing and de-orbiting a free-flying spacecraft, such as a satellite, using robotics. The capture of the spacecraft includes the steps of optically seeking and ranging the satellite using LIDAR; and matching tumble rates, rendezvousing and berthing with the satellite. Servicing of the spacecraft may be done using supervised autonomy, which is allowing a robot to execute a sequence of instructions without intervention from a remote human-occupied location. These instructions may be packaged at the remote station in a script and uplinked to the robot for execution upon remote command giving authority to proceed. Alternately, the instructions may be generated by Artificial Intelligence (AI) logic onboard the robot. In either case, the remote operator maintains the ability to abort an instruction or script at any time, as well as the ability to intervene using manual override to teleoperate the robot.

Abstract: Connection insulators having a plurality of insulating compartments for electrically isolating electrical connections formed from strips of insulating material of indeterminate length. In one embodiment, a first strip of insulating material is supplied to a securing station at a predetermined average rate of supply and a second strip of insulating material is supplied to a forming station at a predetermined average rate of supply greater than the predetermined average rate of supply of the first strip with the pliability of the second strip being enhanced by heating the strip for aiding the deformability characteristics of the second strip. The second strip of insulating material is deformed into predetermined patterns at the forming station and then moved into position adjacent to the first strip of insulating material at the securing station.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for making electrical phase insulators for dynamoelectric machines are disclosed wherein a phase insulator includes two spaced apart planar portions formed of an insulating material interconnected by at least one connector made of an insulating material. First and second strips of planar insulating material are supplied and positioned at spaced apart locations at a securing station. At least one strip of connector material is supplied to a conditioning station and stretched for elongating and assuring straightness of the at least one connector strip. The stretching of the connector material is accomplished by gripping a second section of the connector strip at a location longitudinally spaced apart from a gripped first section and relatively moving the first and second sections thereby elongating a confined portion of the connector material located between the first and second sections.

Abstract: Connection insulators having a plurality of insulating compartments for electrically isolating electrical connections formed from strips of insulating material of indeterminate length. In one embodiment, a first strip of insulating material is supplied to a securing station at a predetermined average rate of supply and a second strip of insulating material is supplied to a forming station at a predetermined average rate of supply greater than the predetermined average rate of supply of the first strip with the pliability of the second strip being enhanced by heating the strip for aiding the deformability characteristics of the second strip. The second strip of insulating material is deformed into predetermined patterns at the forming station and then moved into position adjacent to the first strip of insulating material at the securing station.

Abstract: This patent discloses a method of manufacturing rotors particularly adapted for use in hermetically sealed motor-compressor units of the type to be utilized for refrigeration applications. Previously known standard manufacturing steps are followed in producing a rotor having counterweights at one end thereof secured to the rotor by any suitable fastening means. Practice of the present invention results in rotors that include a shroud overlying the counterweights. In the manufacture of the shroud itself, I locate a centrally disposed region and define such region by piercing the shroud material along a major portion of its perimeter, but retain at least two tabs or ears which interconnect the centrally disposed portion of the shroud with the remainder of the shroud. The resulting shroud preferably has a centrally disposed portion which then may be separated from the remainder of the shroud by fracturing the interconnecting tabs in order to expose the rotor shaft.

Abstract: Disclosed are stator assemblies with phase insulators that are prestraightened. Insulators may be severed from a sheet of insulating material or fabricated from planar insulation pieces alone or from a combination of planar insulation pieces and one or more filamentary pieces. Details of different methods, insulators, and apparatus are also disclosed.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for making electrical phase insulators for dynamoelectric machines are disclosed wherein a phase insulator includes two spaced apart planar portions formed of an insulating material interconnected by at least one connector made of an insulating material. First and second strips of planar insulating material are supplied and positioned at spaced apart locations at a securing station. At least one strip of connector material is supplied to a conditioning station and stretched for elongating and assuring straightness of the at least one connector strip. The stretching of the connector material is accomplished by gripping a second section of the connector strip at a location longitudinally spaced apart from a gripped first section and relatively moving the first and second sections thereby elongating a confined portion of the connector material located between the first and second sections.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for making electrical phase insulators for dynamoelectric machines are disclosed wherein a phase insulator includes two spaced apart planar portions formed of an insulating material interconnected by at least one connector made of an insulating material. First and second strips of planar insulating material are supplied and positioned at spaced apart locations at a securing station. At least one strip of connector material is supplied to a conditioning station and stretched for elongating and assuring straightness of the at least one connector strip. The stretching of the connector material is accomplished by gripping a second section of the connector strip at a location longitudinally spaced apart from a gripped first section and relatively moving the first and second sections thereby elongating a confined portion of the connector material located between the first and second sections.

Abstract: Connection insulators having a plurality of insulating compartments for electrically isolating electrical connections formed from strips of insulating material of indeterminate length. In one embodiment, a first strip of insulating material is supplied to a securing station at a predetermined average rate of supply and a second strip of insulating material is supplied to a forming station at a predetermined average rate of supply greater than the predetermined average rate of supply of the first strip with the pliability of the second strip being enhanced by heating the strip for aiding the deformability characteristics of the second strip. The second strip of insulating material is deformed into predetermined patterns at the forming station and then moved into position adjacent to the first strip of insulating material at the securing station.

Abstract: Apparatus holds in alignment a stack of a plurality of loose laminations so that clamp bolt holes therein are held in an accurately aligned condition while the stack is compressed (in the vicinity of the bolt holes) between pads that simulate mounting pads in a compressor, and a means for applying a force localized in the bolt hole regions. The compressive forces simulate and closely approximate the compressive forces that ultimately will be applied to the bolt hole regions under the heads of mounting bolts in a compressor. Various eccentricities and dimensional variations between the bore and bolt holes are transferred to the bore, and while the stack is held with the preselected compressive forces, the bore is shaped with a roller burnisher so that it will be concentric relative to the bolt holes.

Abstract: This patent discloses methods of manufacturing rotors particularly adapted for use in hermetically sealed motor-compressor units of the type to be utilized for refrigeration applications. Previously known standard manufacturing steps are followed in producing a rotor having counterweights at one end thereof secured to the rotor by any suitable fastening means. Practice of the present invention results in rotors that include a shroud overlying the counterweights. In the manufacture of the shroud itself, I locate a centrally disposed region and define such region by piercing the shroud material along a major portion of its perimeter, but retain at least two tabs or ears which interconnect the centrally disposed portion of the shroud with the remainder of the shroud. The resulting shroud preferably has a centrally disposed portion which then may be separated from the remainder of the shroud by fracturing the interconnecting tabs in order to expose the rotor shaft.

Abstract: Methods are disclosed for making a phase insulator for a desired core size from a phase insulator of a smaller size. The insulator may be severed from a sheet of insulating material or fabricated from planar insulation pieces alone or from a combination of planar insulation pieces and one or more filamentary pieces. Details of different methods, insulators, and apparatus are also disclosed.

Abstract: Take-up apparatus for phase insulator fabrication equipment. A take-up reel is mounted at the exit end of the equipment in properly aligned and squared relationship to the fabricated phase insulator belt and is driven in a continuously rotating mode alternately at high and slow speeds. The fabricated belt forms a downwardly depending loop into the trough of which is laid a constant mass adjustable width shaped somewhat like a dumbbell in form. The tension roll has two cylindrical end weights adjustably positioned onto a grooved connecting rod. The positioning of the end weights is adjustable to accommodate fabricated phase insulator belts of different widths without changing the weight of the tension roll thus assuring proper tensioning of the accumulated belt roll on the reel irrespective of the width of the belt being accumulated.

Abstract: A method which involves aligning a stack of a plurality of loose laminations so that clamp bolt holes therein are held in an accurately aligned condition while the stack is compressed (in the vicinity of the bolt holes) between pads that simulate mounting pads in a compressor, and a means for applying a force localized in the bolt hole regions. The compressive forces are preselected to simulate and closely approximate the compressive forces that ultimately will be applied to the bolt hole regions under the heads of mounting bolts in a compressor. Since the stack is initially aligned before the compressive forces are applied and while the laminations are free to shift relative to one another, the various eccentricities and dimensional variations between the bore and bolt holes are transferred to the bore. Then, while the stack is held with the preselected compressive forces, the bore is shaped to be concentric relative to the bolt holes.