Patents by Inventor Robert Benson Hogan

Robert Benson Hogan 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: 4114841
    Abstract: The angular momentum of a tumbling orbiting satellite is changed to reduce the spinning of the spacecraft such that the spacecraft can operate in an essentially stabilized condition. The change in spin rate is accomplished by the development of a magnetic torque by commutation of magnetic air coils in response to earth sensor signals controlled by spacecraft logic. The coils are disposed to produce magnetic dipoles transverse to the satellite spin axis such that by interacting with the earth's magnetic field a torque is developed in a direction opposite the spin vector. The logic selects the proper magnetic dipole based upon data from sensors detecting the presence of the earth for the development of the desired magnetic torque.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 1977
    Date of Patent: September 19, 1978
    Assignee: RCA Corporation
    Inventors: Ludwig Muhlfelder, Robert Benson Hogan