Patents by Inventor Shawn T. Curtin

Shawn T. Curtin 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).

  • Shear viscous damped hinge
    Patent number: 5546632
    Abstract: A shear viscous damped hinge uses a negator spring and a high viscosity fluid to provide a relatively slow and controlled deployment of the hinge. Shear damping of the fluid slows the angular velocity of the hinge. The invention reduces the end of travel impact loads thereby reducing the risk of damage to the hinge and the object rotated by the hinge. The hinge is particularly useful in, but not limited to, spacecraft applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 20, 1996
    Assignee: Orbital Sciences Corporation
    Inventors: Anthony D. Robinson, Shawn T. Curtin