Patents by Inventor Thomas J. Hanyok

Thomas J. Hanyok 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).

  • Clamping mechanism for a berthing system
    Patent number: 10793298
    Abstract: Disclosed is a berthing system to receive a client module, including a plurality of berthing posts, a plurality of clamping mechanisms each mounted to a respective berthing post, the plurality of clamping mechanisms movable along a berthing post to clamp a received module, wherein the plurality of clamping mechanisms are configured to assert a radial force upon the received module, wherein the plurality of clamping mechanisms each include a rotary clamping jaw that includes drawdown portion and a radial contact portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2020
    Assignee: United States of America as represented by the Administrator of NASA
    Inventors: Kelvin R. Garcia, Thomas J. Hanyok, Matthew S. Ashmore
  • Apparatus for aligning and connecting signal connectors on two different bodies
    Patent number: 10370127
    Abstract: An apparatus to align and connect complementary signal connectors on two different bodies comprises a housing having a housing support structure, a front side and a rear side. A first drive system on one body is used to operate a threaded shaft to join the two bodies. A second drive system that includes a rotatable shaft that is used to drive a cam to advance a signal connector panel on the one body to connect to a signal connector on the other body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2019
    Assignee: United States of America as represented by the Administrator of NASA
    Inventors: Richard Michael, Thomas J. Hanyok, Beth A. Keer