Patents by Inventor Ward Steven Spear

Ward Steven Spear 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).

  • Dual evolved expendable launch vehicle (EELV) secondary payload adaptor (ESPA) port small satellite design
    Patent number: 8550408
    Abstract: An apparatus and method are disclosed for dual Evolved Expendable Launch Vehicle (EELV) Secondary Payload Adapter (ESPA) port small satellite designs. The apparatus and method provide payload volume for larger satellites. In one or more embodiments, the apparatus and method include a plurality of small satellite components, a payload adaptor ring, and at least one pivoting hinge system. In at least one embodiment, the plurality of small satellite components includes at least one payload, one bus, and/or one solar panel. The small satellite components are mounted on the payload adaptor ring. At least one pivoting hinge system connects together at least two of the small satellite components. Upon deployment of the small satellite components from the payload adaptor ring, at least one pivoting hinge system combines together at least two small satellite components, thereby creating at least one single larger satellite.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2013
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Tamaira Emily Ross, Greg G. Berg, Ward Steven Spear
  • DUAL EVOLVED EXPENDABLE LAUNCH VEHICLE (EELV) SECONDARY PAYLOAD ADAPTOR (ESPA) PORT SMALL SATELLITE DESIGN
    Publication number: 20120012711
    Abstract: An apparatus and method are disclosed for dual Evolved Expendable Launch Vehicle (EELV) Secondary Payload Adapter (ESPA) port small satellite designs. The apparatus and method provide payload volume for larger satellites. In one or more embodiments, the apparatus and method include a plurality of small satellite components, a payload adaptor ring, and at least one pivoting hinge system. In at least one embodiment, the plurality of small satellite components includes at least one payload, one bus, and/or one solar panel. The small satellite components are mounted on the payload adaptor ring. At least one pivoting hinge system connects together at least two of the small satellite components. Upon deployment of the small satellite components from the payload adaptor ring, at least one pivoting hinge system combines together at least two small satellite components, thereby creating at least one single larger satellite.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2010
    Publication date: January 19, 2012
    Applicant: THE BOEING COMPANY
    Inventors: Tamaira Emily Ross, Greg Berg, Ward Steven Spear