Patents by Inventor Robert L. Spicer

Robert L. Spicer 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).

  • Debris management system and method of operation thereof
    Patent number: 9731844
    Abstract: A debris management system for use in space and a method of controlling space debris is disclosed. In one embodiment, the system includes: (1) a frame, (2) a plurality of material sections, coupled to the frame, that cooperate to form a material structure when deployed from the frame and (3) a plurality of microvehicles, coupled to the plurality of material sections, each one of the plurality including propulsion units configured to eject the each one relative to the frame and pull the plurality of material sections to deploy the plurality of material sections to form the material structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2017
    Inventors: Daniel W. Allen, Robert L. Spicer
  • DEBRIS MANAGEMENT SYSTEM AND METHOD OF OPERATION THEREOF
    Publication number: 20150021440
    Abstract: A debris management system for use in space and a method of controlling space debris is disclosed. In one embodiment, the system includes: (1) a frame, (2) a plurality of material sections, coupled to the frame, that cooperate to form a material structure when deployed from the frame and (3) a plurality of microvehicles, coupled to the plurality of material sections, each one of the plurality including propulsion units configured to eject the each one relative to the frame and pull the plurality of material sections to deploy the plurality of material sections to form the material structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 2, 2014
    Publication date: January 22, 2015
    Inventors: Daniel W. Allen, Robert L. Spicer
  • Space debris removal management system and method of operation thereof
    Patent number: 8851427
    Abstract: A debris removal management system and a method of removing space debris. In one embodiment, the system includes: (1) a frame, (2) a plurality of net sections coupled to the frame and (3) a plurality of microvehicles, coupled to the plurality of net sections, configured to employ propulsion units therein to be ejected relative to the frame to deploy the plurality of net sections, the plurality of net sections cooperating to form a net configured to capture space debris.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Inventors: Daniel W. Allen, Robert L. Spicer
  • DEBRIS REMOVAL MANAGEMENT SYSTEM AND METHOD OF OPERATION THEREOF
    Publication number: 20130306798
    Abstract: A debris removal management system and a method of removing space debris. In one embodiment, the system includes: (1) a frame, (2) a plurality of net sections coupled to the frame and (3) a plurality of microvehicles, coupled to the plurality of net sections, configured to employ propulsion units therein to be ejected relative to the frame to deploy the plurality of net sections, the plurality of net sections cooperating to form a net configured to capture space debris.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2013
    Publication date: November 21, 2013
    Inventors: Daniel W. Allen, Robert L. Spicer
  • Debris removal management system and method of operation thereof
    Patent number: 8485475
    Abstract: A debris removal management system and a method of removing space debris. In one embodiment, the system includes: (1) a frame, (2) a plurality of net sections coupled to the frame and (3) a plurality of microvehicles coupled to the plurality of net sections and configured to be ejected relative to the frame to deploy the plurality of net sections, the plurality of net sections cooperating to form a net configured to capture space debris.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2013
    Inventors: Daniel W. Allen, Robert L. Spicer
  • DEBRIS REMOVAL MANAGEMENT SYSTEM AND METHOD OF OPERATION THEREOF
    Publication number: 20110139936
    Abstract: A debris removal management system and a method of removing space debris. In one embodiment, the system includes: (1) a frame, (2) a plurality of net sections coupled to the frame and (3) a plurality of microvehicles coupled to the plurality of net sections and configured to be ejected relative to the frame to deploy the plurality of net sections, the plurality of net sections cooperating to form a net configured to capture space debris.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2010
    Publication date: June 16, 2011
    Inventors: Daniel W. Allen, Robert L. Spicer