Patents by Inventor Richard M. Mills

Richard M. Mills 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).

  • Patent number: 6032904
    Abstract: A three-axis stabilized spacecraft having roll, pitch, and yaw axes and when on station in orbit about the earth having a north face and a south face is equipped with a first and second thruster which may be electric thrusters. A first support device mounts the first thruster adjacent the north face and the first thruster is positioned a spaced distance away from the north face in a first direction parallel to the pitch axis and spaced from the pitch axis in a second direction normal to the pitch axis. A second support device mounts the second thruster adjacent the south face, the second thruster being positioned a spaced distance away from the south face in a third direction opposite the first direction and spaced from the pitch axis in the second direction. A gimbal mechanism pivotally mounts the first and second thrusters on the first and second support devices, respectively, for selectively positioning the attitude of the first and second thrusters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2000
    Assignee: Space Systems/Loral, Inc.
    Inventors: Daryl K. Hosick, Walter S. Gelon, Richard M. Mills