Patents by Inventor Robert André Laine

Robert André Laine 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: 9290279
    Abstract: A landing system of a body and a space probe provided with such a system for landing on a bearing ground. The landing system includes landing legs (5), each with a footpad (6) at the end thereof, intended for braking the landing impact of the body when coming into contact with the ground and for supporting the body on the ground after landing. The footpads (6) are not coplanar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: ASTRIUM SAS
    Inventors: Christophe Balemboy, Mark Kinnersley, Robert Andre Laine, Xavier Sembely
  • Patent number: 9180980
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a system in space for reinforcing photosynthesis on earth, comprising a satellite with at least one first optical assembly intended for collecting sunlight, the position of which is stationary; a second optical assembly, smaller in size and with less inertia than the first optical element, intended for retransmitting the collected light with higher density of the retransmitted flux density than the collected flux density, and with an adjustable orientation; a remotely controllable means capable of adjusting the orientation of the second optical assembly; and a light-transmitting means which transmits the collected light from the first optical assembly to the second optical assembly. The second optical assembly retransmits light only in specified frequency hands around 450 nm and 660 nm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2015
    Assignee: ASTRIUM SAS
    Inventors: Robert André Lainé, Pierre Parrot
  • Patent number: 9073646
    Abstract: A system includes a mother probe forming a carrier space vehicle (1) and a plurality of daughter probes (2a, 2b, 2c) aligned in a longitudinal axis (A) of the mother probe, in which the attachment of the daughter probes to the mother probe is carried out by a plurality of probe-supporting annular segments (5a, 5b, 5c) each provided with an annular collar (3a, 3b, 3c) for attaching a daughter probe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2015
    Assignee: ASTRIUM SAS
    Inventors: Christophe Balemboy, Robert Andre Laine, Xavier Sembely
  • Patent number: 8991764
    Abstract: A space probe including a descent module with a mobile exploration vehicle, wherein the descent module is a landing module inside which the mobile exploration vehicle is fastened, the landing module being provided with landing legs which can be deployed under the lower level of the mobile exploration vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: Astrium SAS
    Inventors: Valery Auger, Christophe Balemboy, Robert Andre Laine, Marie-Claire Perkinson
  • Patent number: 8733079
    Abstract: The invention relates to an electric thruster for a spacecraft. According to the invention, the thruster (II) comprises a jet generating portion (G1) and a jet accelerating portion (A2), pivotably connected (H1) such that the jet accelerating portion (A2) can rotate in relation to the jet generating portion (G1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: Astrium SAS
    Inventor: Robert André Laine
  • Patent number: 8720184
    Abstract: Disclosed are a method and device for supplying a combustion chamber of a space propulsion engine with cryogenic liquid fuel and oxidizer propellants. The propellants are mixed at constant pressure to produce a propellant mixture, with the propellants being mixed at a location upstream of an orifice of a propellant injector. The propellant mixture is fed to an enclosure of the propellant injector, and from the propellant injector enclosure, the propellant mixture is injected into the combustion chamber. The flow rate of the propellant mixture from the propellant injector enclosure into the combustion chamber is varied by adjustment of the propellant injector, with the injection of the propellant mixture from the propellant injector enclosure into the combustion chamber being at constant pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Assignee: Astrium SAS
    Inventor: Robert Andre Laine
  • Patent number: 8717234
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a monitoring system which comprises at least one monitoring satellite placed in orbit at a lower altitude than that of the satellites of the satellite constellation so as to be capable of receiving the positioning signals emitted towards the Earth by said satellites, and which comprises a processing unit intended for verifying the integrity of said received positioning signals, using position information that is separate from said signals for this purpose.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Assignee: Astrium SAS
    Inventor: Robert André Lainé
  • Patent number: 8698672
    Abstract: According to the invention, the system comprises: at least three position beacons (3) arranged about said location (2) and emitting in the long-wave range, and an apparatus associated with the user (1) and including means for receiving, processing and displaying the information transmitted by said beacons (3).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: Astrium SAS
    Inventor: Robert André Laine
  • Publication number: 20120210808
    Abstract: A system includes a mother probe forming a carrier space vehicle (1) and a plurality of daughter probes (2a, 2b, 2c) aligned in a longitudinal axis (A) of the mother probe, in which the attachment of the daughter probes to the mother probe is carried out by a plurality of probe-supporting annular segments (5a, 5b, 5c) each provided with an annular collar (3a, 3b, 3c) for attaching a daughter probe.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 7, 2010
    Publication date: August 23, 2012
    Applicant: ASTRIUM SAS
    Inventors: Christophe Balemboy, Robert Andre Laine, Xavier Sembely
  • Publication number: 20120153077
    Abstract: A landing system of a body and a space probe provided with such a system for landing on a bearing ground. The landing system includes landing legs (5), each with a footpad (6) at the end thereof, intended for braking the landing impact of the body when coming into contact with the ground and for supporting the body on the ground after landing. The footpads (6) are not coplanar.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 28, 2010
    Publication date: June 21, 2012
    Applicant: ASTRIUM SAS
    Inventors: Christophe Balemboy, Mark Kinnersley, Robert Andre Laine, Xavier Sembely
  • Publication number: 20120080562
    Abstract: A space probe including a descent module with a mobile exploration vehicle, wherein the descent module is a landing module inside which the mobile exploration vehicle is fastened, the landing module being provided with landing legs which can be deployed under the lower level of the mobile exploration vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2010
    Publication date: April 5, 2012
    Applicant: ASTRIUM SAS
    Inventors: Valery Auger, Christophe Balemboy, Robert Andre Laine, Marie-claire Perkinson
  • Publication number: 20110211250
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a system in space for reinforcing photosynthesis on earth, comprising a satellite with at least one first optical assembly intended for collecting sunlight, the position of which is stationary; a second optical assembly, smaller in size and with less inertia than the first optical element, intended for retransmitting the collected light with higher density of the retransmitted flux density than the collected flux density, and with an adjustable orientation; a remotely controllable means capable of adjusting the orientation of the second optical assembly; and a light-transmitting means which transmits the collected light from the first optical assembly to the second optical assembly. The second optical assembly retransmits light only in specified frequency hands around 450 nm and 660 nm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 23, 2009
    Publication date: September 1, 2011
    Inventors: Robert André Lainé, Pierre Parrot
  • Publication number: 20110210890
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a monitoring system which comprises at least one monitoring satellite placed in orbit at a lower altitude than that of the satellites of the satellite constellation so as to be capable of receiving the positioning signals emitted towards the Earth by said satellites, and which comprises a processing unit intended for verifying the integrity of said received positioning signals, using position information that is separate from said signals for this purpose.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 2, 2009
    Publication date: September 1, 2011
    Inventor: Robert Andre Laine
  • Patent number: 7932858
    Abstract: A satellite terrestrial positioning system is disclosed in which navigation satellites verify, in an autonomous manner, essential information that is transmitted to users using unidirectional links received from reference beacons.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2011
    Assignee: Astrium SAS
    Inventors: Robert Andre Laine, Hugues Favin-Leveque, Martin Ripple
  • Publication number: 20110067380
    Abstract: The invention relates to an electric thruster for a spacecraft. According to the invention, the thruster (II) comprises a jet generating portion (G1) and a jet accelerating portion (A2), pivotably connected (H1) such that the jet accelerating portion (A2) can rotate in relation to the jet generating portion (G1).
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 11, 2009
    Publication date: March 24, 2011
    Applicant: ASTRIUM SAS
    Inventor: Robert André Laine
  • Publication number: 20100309045
    Abstract: According to the invention, the system comprises: at least three position beacons (3) arranged about said location (2) and emitting in the long-wave range, and an apparatus associated with the user (1) and including means for receiving, processing and displaying the information transmitted by said beacons (3).
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 16, 2009
    Publication date: December 9, 2010
    Applicant: Astrium (SAS)
    Inventor: Robert André Laine
  • Publication number: 20100115917
    Abstract: According to the invention, upstream of the injection means, the combustible propellant and the oxidant propellant are mixed at constant pressure; and to inject the said mixture of propellants at constant pressure into the combustion chamber (1), injection means (7 to 11) are chosen, making it possible to vary the flow rate of the said injected mixture.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 14, 2008
    Publication date: May 13, 2010
    Applicant: Astruim SAS
    Inventor: Robert Andre Laine
  • Publication number: 20080284644
    Abstract: According to the present invention, each navigation satellite (1) verifies in an autonomous manner the essential information that it transmits to the users, by virtue of unidirectional links received from reference beacons (11).
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 17, 2008
    Publication date: November 20, 2008
    Applicant: ASTRIUM SAS
    Inventors: Robert Andre Laine, Hugues Favin-Leveque, Martin Ulrich Ripple