Patents by Inventor William A. Llorens

William A. Llorens 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).

  • Publication number: 20230271725
    Abstract: Spacecraft servicing systems include a spacecraft servicing device and at least one mission extension pod comprising at least one spacecraft servicing component. The spacecraft servicing device is configured to transfer the at least pod to a target spacecraft in order to service the target spacecraft with the at least one spacecraft servicing component of the at least one pod. Spacecraft servicing pods configured to be supplied to a spacecraft with a spacecraft servicing device include at least one spacecraft servicing component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 1, 2023
    Publication date: August 31, 2023
    Inventors: James Garret Nicholson, Daniel Carl Treachler, Oliver Benjamin Ortiz, Robert Bryan Sullivan, Carlos Guillermo Niederstrasser, Michael Joseph Glogowski, William A. Llorens, Kenneth Siu-Kin Chow, Peter Michael Cipollo
  • Patent number: 11718420
    Abstract: Spacecraft servicing systems include a spacecraft servicing device and at least one mission extension pod comprising at least one spacecraft servicing component. The spacecraft servicing device is configured to transfer the at least pod to a target spacecraft in order to service the target spacecraft with the at least one spacecraft servicing component of the at least one pod. Spacecraft servicing pods configured to be supplied to a spacecraft with a spacecraft servicing device include at least one spacecraft servicing component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2023
    Assignee: Northrop Grumman Systems Corporation
    Inventors: James Garret Nicholson, Daniel Carl Treachler, Oliver Benjamin Ortiz, Robert Bryan Sullivan, Carlos Guillermo Niederstrasser, Michael Joseph Glogowski, William A. Llorens, Kenneth Siu-Kin Chow, Peter Michael Cipollo
  • Patent number: 11685554
    Abstract: Spacecraft servicing devices or pods and related methods may include a body configured to be deployed from a host spacecraft at a location adjacent a target spacecraft and at least one spacecraft servicing component configured to perform at least one servicing operation on the target spacecraft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2023
    Assignee: Northrop Grumman Systems Corporation
    Inventors: James Garret Nicholson, Daniel Carl Treachler, Oliver Benjamin Ortiz, James Dulin Reavill, Benjamin Michael Hekman, Robert Bryan Sullivan, Carlos Guillermo Niederstrasser, Mark Lieberbaum, Michael Joseph Glogowski, William A. Llorens, Kenneth Siu-Kin Chow, Peter Michael Cipollo
  • Publication number: 20230058379
    Abstract: Spacecraft servicing devices or pods and related methods may be configured to be deployed from a carrier spacecraft and include at least one spacecraft servicing component configured to perform at least one servicing operation on the target spacecraft. The spacecraft servicing devices may be configured to be transported from an initial orbit to another orbit after the spacecraft servicing device is deployed from the carrier spacecraft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 3, 2022
    Publication date: February 23, 2023
    Inventors: James Garret Nicholson, Daniel Carl Treachler, Oliver Benjamin Ortiz, James Dulin Reavill, Benjamin Michael Hekman, Robert Bryan Sullivan, Carlos Guillermo Niederstrasser, Mark Lieberbaum, Michael Joseph Glogowski, William A. Llorens, Kenneth Siu-Kin Chow
  • Patent number: 11492148
    Abstract: Spacecraft servicing devices or pods and related methods may be configured to be deployed from a carrier spacecraft and include at least one spacecraft servicing component configured to perform at least one servicing operation on the target spacecraft. The spacecraft servicing devices may be configured to be transported from an initial orbit to another orbit after the spacecraft servicing device is deployed from the carrier spacecraft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2022
    Assignee: Northrop Grumman Systems Corporation
    Inventors: James Garret Nicholson, Daniel Carl Treachler, Oliver Benjamin Ortiz, James Dulin Reavill, Benjamin Michael Hekman, Robert Bryan Sullivan, Carlos Guillermo Niederstrasser, Mark Lieberbaum, Michael Joseph Glogowski, William A. Llorens, Kenneth Siu-Kin Chow
  • Patent number: 11434026
    Abstract: Methods and systems for mitigating or reducing the risk of an electrostatic discharge due to static charge differentials between a first spacecraft and a second spacecraft as the first spacecraft approaches the second spacecraft may be accomplished using a passive electrostatic discharge mitigation device. In some embodiments, mitigation of static potential between the first spacecraft and the second spacecraft may be actively accomplished by an electric propulsion system provided on the first spacecraft. In some embodiments, mitigation may be provided by both actively and passively mitigating static potential between the first spacecraft and the second spacecraft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2022
    Assignee: Northrop Grumman Systems Corporation
    Inventors: Christine A. Agathon-Burton, Matthew Alan Michel, Dewey Edwin Cochran, Ronald Lynn Graham, Gregg A. Herbert, William A. Llorens
  • Patent number: 11104459
    Abstract: Capture assemblies and compliant extension assemblies may be utilized for insertion into a nozzle of a liquid engine of a spacecraft. The capture assembly may include an apparatus such as a probe for insertion into the nozzle and an assembly at least partially enclosed in a forward portion of the probe. The assembly may include a plurality of actuated fingers for deploying outwardly from the probe when the probe is inserted into the nozzle. The compliant extension assembly may be at least partially enclosed in a housing connected to the capture assembly for axial movement of the probe. The compliant extension assembly may facilitate axial movement of the probe between a retracted position and an extended position, wherein the probe is extended forwardly, relative to the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2021
    Assignee: Northrop Grumman Systems Corporation
    Inventors: Peter O. Sorensen, Matthew Alan Michel, William A. Llorens, David M. Murphy, Jeffrey Braden, Michael Edward McEachen, Michael Foster
  • Publication number: 20210253277
    Abstract: Spacecraft servicing devices or pods and related methods may include a body configured to be deployed from a host spacecraft at a location adjacent a target spacecraft and at least one spacecraft servicing component configured to perform at least one servicing operation on the target spacecraft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2020
    Publication date: August 19, 2021
    Inventors: James Garret Nicholson, Daniel Carl Treachler, Oliver Benjamin Ortiz, James Dulin Reavill, Benjamin Michael Hekman, Robert Bryan Sullivan, Carlos Guillermo Niederstrasser, Mark Lieberbaum, Michael Joseph Glogowski, William A. Llorens, Kenneth Siu-Kin Chow, Peter Michael Cipollo
  • Publication number: 20210237909
    Abstract: Spacecraft servicing systems include a spacecraft servicing device and at least one mission extension pod comprising at least one spacecraft servicing component. The spacecraft servicing device is configured to transfer the at least pod to a target spacecraft in order to service the target spacecraft with the at least one spacecraft servicing component of the at least one pod. Spacecraft servicing pods configured to be supplied to a spacecraft with a spacecraft servicing device include at least one spacecraft servicing component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 13, 2021
    Publication date: August 5, 2021
    Inventors: James Garret Nicholson, Daniel Carl Treachler, Oliver Benjamin Ortiz, Robert Bryan Sullivan, Carlos Guillermo Niederstrasser, Michael Joseph Glogowski, William A. Llorens, Kenneth Siu-Kin Chow, Peter Michael Cipollo
  • Patent number: 10994867
    Abstract: Spacecraft servicing systems include a spacecraft servicing device and at least one pod comprising at least one spacecraft servicing component. The spacecraft servicing device is configured to transfer the at least one pod to a target spacecraft in order to service the target spacecraft with the at least one spacecraft servicing component of the at least one pod. Spacecraft servicing pods configured to be supplied to a spacecraft with a spacecraft servicing device include at least one spacecraft servicing component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2021
    Assignee: Northrop Grumman Systems Corporation
    Inventors: James Garret Nicholson, Daniel Carl Treachler, Oliver Benjamin Ortiz, Robert Bryan Sullivan, Carlos Guillermo Niederstrasser, Michael Joseph Glogowski, William A. Llorens, Kenneth Siu-Kin Chow, Peter Michael Cipollo
  • Publication number: 20210031951
    Abstract: Methods and systems for mitigating or reducing the risk of an electrostatic discharge due to static charge differentials between a first spacecraft and a second spacecraft as the first spacecraft approaches the second spacecraft may be accomplished using a passive electrostatic discharge mitigation device. In some embodiments, mitigation of static potential between the first spacecraft and the second spacecraft may be actively accomplished by an electric propulsion system provided on the first spacecraft. In some embodiments, mitigation may be provided by both actively and passively mitigating static potential between the first spacecraft and the second spacecraft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 19, 2020
    Publication date: February 4, 2021
    Inventors: Christine A. Agathon-Burton, Matthew Alan Michel, Dewey Edwin Cochran, Ronald Lynn Graham, Gregg A. Herbert, William A. Llorens
  • Patent number: 10850871
    Abstract: Methods and systems for mitigating or reducing the risk of an electrostatic discharge due to static charge differentials between a first spacecraft and a second spacecraft as the first spacecraft approaches the second spacecraft may be accomplished using a passive electrostatic discharge mitigation device. In some embodiments, mitigation of static potential between the first spacecraft and the second spacecraft may be actively accomplished by an electric propulsion system provided on the first spacecraft. In some embodiments, mitigation may be provided by both actively and passively mitigating static potential between the first spacecraft and the second spacecraft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2020
    Assignee: Northrop Grumman Innovation Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Christine A. Agathon-Burton, Matthew Alan Michel, Dewey Edwin Cochran, Ronald Lynn Graham, Gregg A. Herbert, William A. Llorens
  • Patent number: 10850869
    Abstract: Spacecraft servicing devices or pods and related methods may include a body configured to be deployed from a host spacecraft at a location adjacent a target spacecraft and at least one spacecraft servicing component configured to perform at least one servicing operation on the target spacecraft. The servicing device may include a communication device configured to receive data relating to the target spacecraft from a location remote from the spacecraft servicing device. The servicing device may include a coupling mechanism comprising at least one movable coupling configured to rotate the body relative to the target spacecraft when the spacecraft servicing pod is coupled to the target spacecraft. The at least one spacecraft servicing component may include at least one propulsion device positioned on a boom arm extending away from the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2020
    Assignee: Northrop Grumman Innovation Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: James Garret Nicholson, Daniel Carl Treachler, Oliver Benjamin Ortiz, James Dulin Reavill, Benjamin Michael Hekman, Robert Bryan Sullivan, Carlos Guillermo Niederstrasser, Mark Lieberbaum, Michael Joseph Glogowski, William A. Llorens, Kenneth Siu-Kin Chow, Peter Michael Cipollo
  • Publication number: 20200223568
    Abstract: Spacecraft servicing devices or pods and related methods may be configured to be deployed from a carrier spacecraft and include at least one spacecraft servicing component configured to perform at least one servicing operation on the target spacecraft. The spacecraft servicing devices may be configured to be transported from an initial orbit to another orbit after the spacecraft servicing device is deployed from the carrier spacecraft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 14, 2020
    Publication date: July 16, 2020
    Inventors: James Garret Nicholson, Daniel Carl Treachler, Oliver Benjamin Ortiz, James Dulin Reavill, Benjamin Michael Hekman, Robert Bryan Sullivan, Carlos Guillermo Niederstrasser, Mark Lieberbaum, Michael Joseph Glogowski, William A. Llorens, Kenneth Siu-Kin Chow
  • Publication number: 20190023422
    Abstract: Spacecraft servicing devices or pods and related methods may include a body configured to be deployed from a host spacecraft at a location adjacent a target spacecraft and at least one spacecraft servicing component configured to perform at least one servicing operation on the target spacecraft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 20, 2018
    Publication date: January 24, 2019
    Inventors: James Garret Nicholson, Daniel Carl Treachler, Oliver Benjamin Ortiz, James Dulin Reavill, Benjamin Michael Hekman, Robert Bryan Sullivan, Carlos Guillermo Niederstrasser, Mark Lieberbaum, Michael Joseph Glogowski, William A. Llorens, Kenneth Siu-Kin Chow, Peter Michael Cipollo
  • Publication number: 20190023420
    Abstract: Spacecraft servicing systems include a spacecraft servicing device and at least one pod comprising at least one spacecraft servicing component. The spacecraft servicing device is configured to transfer the at least one pod to a target spacecraft in order to service the target spacecraft with the at least one spacecraft servicing component of the at least one pod. Spacecraft servicing pods configured to be supplied to a spacecraft with a spacecraft servicing device include at least one spacecraft servicing component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 20, 2018
    Publication date: January 24, 2019
    Inventors: James Garret Nicholson, Daniel Carl Treachler, Oliver Benjamin Ortiz, Robert Bryan Sullivan, Carlos Guillermo Niederstrasser, Michael Joseph Glogowski, William A. Llorens, Kenneth Siu-Kin Chow, Peter Michael Cipollo
  • Publication number: 20180297722
    Abstract: Methods and systems for mitigating or reducing the risk of an electrostatic discharge due to static charge differentials between a first spacecraft and a second spacecraft as the first spacecraft approaches the second spacecraft may be accomplished using a passive electrostatic discharge mitigation device. In some embodiments, mitigation of static potential between the first spacecraft and the second spacecraft may be actively accomplished by an electric propulsion system provided on the first spacecraft. In some embodiments, mitigation may be provided by both actively and passively mitigating static potential between the first spacecraft and the second spacecraft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 1, 2017
    Publication date: October 18, 2018
    Inventors: Christine A. Agathon-Burton, Matthew Alan Michel, Dewey Edwin Cochran, Ronald Lynn Graham, Gregg A. Herbert, William A. Llorens
  • Publication number: 20180297723
    Abstract: Capture assemblies and compliant extension assemblies may be utilized for insertion into a nozzle of a liquid engine of a spacecraft. The capture assembly may include an apparatus such as a probe for insertion into the nozzle and an assembly at least partially enclosed in a forward portion of the probe. The assembly may include a plurality of actuated fingers for deploying outwardly from the probe when the probe is inserted into the nozzle. The compliant extension assembly may be at least partially enclosed in a housing connected to the capture assembly for axial movement of the probe. The compliant extension assembly may facilitate axial movement of the probe between a retracted position and an extended position, wherein the probe is extended forwardly, relative to the housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 1, 2017
    Publication date: October 18, 2018
    Inventors: Peter O. Sorensen, Matthew Alan Michel, William A. Llorens, David M. Murphy, Jeffrey Braden, Michael Edward McEachen, Michael Foster