Patents by Inventor Shannon S. Ross

Shannon S. Ross 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).

  • System and methods for deploying payloads
    Patent number: 11305896
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention include systems for launching primary or secondary payloads or actuating other launch vehicle or payload or instrumentation devices. The system includes an adapter assembly and at least one sequencer mounted to the adapter assembly. The sequencer includes: controller boards, each of the controller boards having a controller for controlling deployment of the payloads and data files; output ports coupled to the controller boards and configured to transmit signals from the controller boards to dispensers therethrough, deployment mechanisms containing the payloads, the adapter assembly having channels for accommodating the dispensers; and a detector coupled to the controller boards and adapted to detect an external signal and, in response to the external signal, to send an initiation signal to the controller boards. The system also includes at least one power supply coupled to the sequencer and adapted to provide an electrical power to the sequencer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2022
    Assignee: United States of America as Represented by the Administrator of NASA
    Inventors: Shakib M. Ghassemieh, Robert D. Ricks, Charles R. Friedericks, Nghia Mai, John W. Hines, Lee S. Brownston, Shannon S. Ross
  • System and methods for deploying payloads
    Patent number: 9994336
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention include systems for launching primary or secondary payloads or actuating other launch vehicle or payload or instrumentation devices. The system includes an adapter assembly and at least one sequencer mounted to the adapter assembly. The sequencer includes: controller boards, each of the controller boards having a controller for controlling deployment of the payloads and data files; output ports coupled to the controller boards and configured to transmit signals from the controller boards to dispensers therethrough, deployment mechanisms containing the payloads, the adapter assembly having channels for accommodating the dispensers; and a detector coupled to the controller boards and adapted to detect an external signal and, in response to the external signal, to send an initiation signal to the controller boards. The system also includes at least one power supply coupled to the sequencer and adapted to provide an electrical power to the sequencer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: The United States of America as Represented by the Administrator of NASA
    Inventors: Shakib M. Ghassemieh, Robert D. Ricks, Charles R. Friedericks, Nghia Mai, John W. Hines, Lee S. Brownston, Shannon S. Ross