Patents by Inventor William H. Francis
William H. Francis 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).
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Publication number: 20220340307Abstract: Systems, devices, and methods for precision boom deployment are provided in accordance with various embodiments. The tools and techniques provided may have space and/or terrestrial applications. Some embodiments include a boom deployment system that may include a furlable boom. Some embodiments include: boom reinforcement devices, end fitting devices, contoured support devices, edge support devices, spiral harness devices, latch devices, combined boom spool and tension drive devices, and/or rotary encoder devices. Some embodiments may utilize a composite slit-tube boom. Some embodiments utilize a furlable boom that may be fabricated with curvature along its length.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 4, 2022Publication date: October 27, 2022Inventors: William Brad Hensley, Philip Keller, William H. Francis, Bruce L. Davis, Kellie A. Craven, Thomas J. Rose, Mark S. Lake
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Patent number: 11292616Abstract: Systems, devices, and methods for precision boom deployment are provided in accordance with various embodiments. The tools and techniques provided may have space and/or terrestrial applications. Some embodiments include a boom deployment system that may include a furlable boom. Some embodiments include: boom reinforcement devices, end fitting devices, contoured support devices, edge support devices, spiral harness devices, latch devices, combined boom spool and tension drive devices, and/or rotary encoder devices. Some embodiments may utilize a composite slit-tube boom. Some embodiments utilize a furlable boom that may be fabricated with curvature along its length.Type: GrantFiled: April 5, 2020Date of Patent: April 5, 2022Assignee: Roccor, LLCInventors: William Brad Hensley, Philip Keller, William H. Francis, Bruce L. Davis, Kellie A. Craven, Thomas J. Rose, Mark S. Lake
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Patent number: 11035168Abstract: A vacuum insulating glazing unit (VIGU) comprises two or more glass lites (panes) spaced apart from one another and hermetically bonded to an edge seal assembly therebetween. The resulting cavity between the lites is evacuated to create at least one insulating vacuum cavity within which are disposed a plurality of stand-off members to maintain separation between the lites. The edge seal assembly is preferably compliant in the longitudinal (i.e., edgewise) direction to allow longitudinal relative motion between the two lites (e.g., from thermal expansion). The longitudinal compliance may be obtained by imprinting a three-dimensional pattern into the edge seal material. The edge seal assembly is preferably bonded to the lites with a first bond portion that is hermetic and a second bond portion that is load-resistant. Methods for producing VIGUs and/or compliant edge seal assemblies and VIGU and edge seal apparatus are disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: November 5, 2018Date of Patent: June 15, 2021Assignee: ASTRAVAC GLASS, INC.Inventors: William H. Francis, IV, Gregg E. Freebury, Neal J. Beidleman, Michael Hulse
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Patent number: 11014693Abstract: An extendible membrane system may include: an extendible central column; one or more membranes; and/or one or more foldable membrane supports configured to support the one or more membranes. Each of the one or more foldable membrane supports may be configured to extend from the extendible central column. In some embodiments, one or more of the one or more foldable membrane supports includes two or more segments that may be configured to couple with each other. A method of deploying one or more membranes may include unfolding one or more foldable membrane supports from a folded configuration to a linear configuration. An extendible membrane device may include one or more membranes and one or more foldable membrane supports configured to support the one or more membranes.Type: GrantFiled: July 6, 2018Date of Patent: May 25, 2021Assignee: Roccor, LLCInventors: William H. Francis, Mark S. Lake
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Patent number: 11009695Abstract: An occulter petal unfurling system including occulter petal unfurler disposed to rotate in relation to an occulter to unfurl a plurality of petals which in an unfurled condition can be used to block or suppress incoming light.Type: GrantFiled: January 15, 2018Date of Patent: May 18, 2021Assignee: TENDEG LLCInventors: Gregg E. Freebury, William H. Francis, Neal J Beidleman
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Publication number: 20200369411Abstract: Systems, devices, and methods for precision boom deployment are provided in accordance with various embodiments. The tools and techniques provided may have space and/or terrestrial applications. Some embodiments include a boom deployment system that may include a furlable boom. Some embodiments include: boom reinforcement devices, end fitting devices, contoured support devices, edge support devices, spiral harness devices, latch devices, combined boom spool and tension drive devices, and/or rotary encoder devices. Some embodiments may utilize a composite slit-tube boom. Some embodiments utilize a furlable boom that may be fabricated with curvature along its length.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 5, 2020Publication date: November 26, 2020Inventors: William Brad Hensley, Philip Keller, William H. Francis, Bruce L. Davis, Kellie A. Craven, Thomas J. Rose, Mark S. Lake
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Patent number: 10611502Abstract: Systems, devices, and methods for precision boom deployment are provided in accordance with various embodiments. The tools and techniques provided may have space and/or terrestrial applications. Some embodiments include a boom deployment system that may include a furlable boom. Some embodiments include: boom reinforcement devices, end fitting devices, contoured support devices, edge support devices, spiral harness devices, latch devices, combined boom spool and tension drive devices, and/or rotary encoder devices. Some embodiments may utilize a composite slit-tube boom. Some embodiments utilize a furlable boom that may be fabricated with curvature along its length.Type: GrantFiled: October 20, 2017Date of Patent: April 7, 2020Assignee: Roccor, LLCInventors: William Brad Hensley, Philip Keller, William H. Francis, Bruce L. Davis, Kellie A. Craven, Thomas J. Rose, Mark S. Lake
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Publication number: 20190071920Abstract: A vacuum insulating glazing unit (VIGU) comprises two or more glass lites (panes) spaced apart from one another and hermetically bonded to an edge seal assembly therebetween. The resulting cavity between the lites is evacuated to create at least one insulating vacuum cavity within which are disposed a plurality of stand-off members to maintain separation between the lites. The edge seal assembly is preferably compliant in the longitudinal (i.e., edgewise) direction to allow longitudinal relative motion between the two lites (e.g., from thermal expansion). The longitudinal compliance may be obtained by imprinting a three-dimensional pattern into the edge seal material. The edge seal assembly is preferably bonded to the lites with a first bond portion that is hermetic and a second bond portion that is load-resistant. Methods for producing VIGUs and/or compliant edge seal assemblies and VIGU and edge seal apparatus are disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 5, 2018Publication date: March 7, 2019Inventors: William H. Francis, IV, Gregg E. Freebury, Neal J. Beidleman, Michael Hulse
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Publication number: 20190071191Abstract: Systems, devices, and methods are provided for extendible membranes, such as solar arrays. Some embodiments include an extendible membrane system that may include: an extendible central column; one or more membranes; and/or one or more foldable membrane supports configured to support the one or more membranes. Each of the one or more foldable membrane supports may be configured to extend from the extendible central column. In some embodiments, one or more of the one or more foldable membrane supports includes two or more segments that may be configured to couple with each other. Some embodiments include a method of deploying one or more membranes that may include unfolding one or more foldable membrane supports from a folded configuration to a linear configuration. Some embodiments include an extendible membrane device with one or more membranes and one or more foldable membrane supports configured to support the one or more membranes.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 6, 2018Publication date: March 7, 2019Inventors: William H. Francis, Mark S. Lake
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Patent number: 10119327Abstract: A Vacuum Insulating Glazing Unit (VIGU) comprises two or more glass lites (panes) spaced apart from one another and hermetically bonded to an edge seal assembly therebetween. The resulting cavity between the lites is evacuated to create at least one insulating vacuum cavity within which are disposed a plurality of stand-off members to maintain separation between the lites. The edge seal assembly is preferably compliant in the longitudinal (i.e., edgewise) direction to allow longitudinal relative motion between the two lites (e.g., from thermal expansion). The longitudinal compliance may be obtained by imprinting a three-dimensional pattern into the edge seal material. The edge seal assembly is preferably bonded to the lites with a first bond portion that is hermetic and a second bond portion that is load-resistant. Methods for producing VIGUs and/or compliant edge seal assemblies and VIGU and edge seal apparatus are disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: April 28, 2016Date of Patent: November 6, 2018Assignee: ASTRAVAC GLASS, INC.Inventors: William H. Francis, IV, Gregg E. Freebury, Neal J. Beidleman, Michael Hulse
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Publication number: 20180203225Abstract: An occulter petal unfurling system including occulter petal unfurler disposed to rotate in relation to an occulter to unfurl a plurality of petals which in an unfurled condition can be used to block or suppress incoming light.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 15, 2018Publication date: July 19, 2018Applicant: Tendeg LLC.Inventors: Gregg E. Freebury, William H. Francis, Neal J. Beidleman
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Publication number: 20180111703Abstract: Systems, devices, and methods for precision boom deployment are provided in accordance with various embodiments. The tools and techniques provided may have space and/or terrestrial applications. Some embodiments include a boom deployment system that may include a furlable boom. Some embodiments include: boom reinforcement devices, end fitting devices, contoured support devices, edge support devices, spiral harness devices, latch devices, combined boom spool and tension drive devices, and/or rotary encoder devices. Some embodiments may utilize a composite slit-tube boom. Some embodiments utilize a furlable boom that may be fabricated with curvature along its length.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 20, 2017Publication date: April 26, 2018Inventors: William Brad Hensley, Philip Keller, William H. Francis, Bruce L. Davis, Kellie A. Craven, Thomas J. Rose, Mark S. Lake
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Patent number: 9840060Abstract: Laminate structures and methods of making laminate structures having overwrapped laminate edges which resist delamination and fraying or including one or more stabilizer laminates which afford greater radial and torsional rigidity in longitudinally slit tube structures.Type: GrantFiled: November 21, 2013Date of Patent: December 12, 2017Assignee: TENDEG LLCInventors: William H. Francis, Gregg E. Freebury, Michael J. Hulse
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Patent number: 9593485Abstract: A deployment system for supported retractable extension of composite booms which interconverts between a retracted reduced volume stowed condition and an extended elongate tubular condition supported to carry a wide variety of mountable objects at an extended tip end.Type: GrantFiled: March 12, 2015Date of Patent: March 14, 2017Assignee: ROCCOR, LLCInventors: Gregg E Freebury, William H Francis, Neal J Beidleman
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Patent number: 9540863Abstract: An insulated glass unit (IGU) comprises a first pane of a transparent material and a second pane of a transparent material. The second pane is spaced apart from the first pane to define a cavity therebetween. At least one of a spacer and an array of stand-off members is disposed between the first and second panes to maintain separation therebetween. A first adhesive layer forms at least a portion of a gas-tight connection between the first pane and the second pane. A highly gas-restrictive coating is disposed over the adhesive layer, where the coating is an inorganic layer.Type: GrantFiled: February 10, 2015Date of Patent: January 10, 2017Assignee: EverSealed Windows, Inc.Inventors: Seth A. Miller, David H. Stark, William H. Francis, IV, Viswanadham Puligandla, Edward N. Boulos, John Pernicka
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Publication number: 20170002602Abstract: A Vacuum Insulating Glazing Unit (VIGU) comprises two or more glass lites (panes) spaced apart from one another and hermetically bonded to an edge seal assembly therebetween. The resulting cavity between the lites is evacuated to create at least one insulating vacuum cavity within which are disposed a plurality of stand-off members to maintain separation between the lites. The edge seal assembly is preferably compliant in the longitudinal (i.e., edgewise) direction to allow longitudinal relative motion between the two lites (e.g., from thermal expansion). The longitudinal compliance may be obtained by imprinting a three-dimensional pattern into the edge seal material. The edge seal assembly is preferably bonded to the lites with a first bond portion that is hermetic and a second bond portion that is load-resistant. Methods for producing VIGUs and/or compliant edge seal assemblies and VIGU and edge seal apparatus are disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 28, 2016Publication date: January 5, 2017Applicant: EVERSEALED WINDOWS, INC.Inventors: WILLIAM H. FRANCIS, IV, GREGG E. FREEBURY, NEAL J. BEIDLEMAN, MICHAEL HULSE
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Patent number: 9528264Abstract: Collapsible support structures and methods of making collapsible support structures which interconvert between a deployed condition and a collapsed planate condition which allows extensible retractable deployment of the collapsed structure from a reduced volume rolled condition.Type: GrantFiled: February 14, 2014Date of Patent: December 27, 2016Assignee: TENDEG LLCInventors: Gregg E. Freebury, William H. Francis
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Patent number: 9328512Abstract: A Vacuum Insulating Glazing Unit (VIGU) comprises two or more glass lites (panes) spaced apart from one another and hermetically bonded to an edge seal assembly therebetween. The resulting cavity between the lites is evacuated to create at least one insulating vacuum cavity within which are disposed a plurality of stand-off members to maintain separation between the lites. The edge seal assembly is preferably compliant in the longitudinal (i.e., edgewise) direction to allow longitudinal relative motion between the two lites (e.g., from thermal expansion). The longitudinal compliance may be obtained by imprinting a three-dimensional pattern into the edge seal material. The edge seal assembly is preferably bonded to the lites with a first bond portion that is hermetic and a second bond portion that is load-resistant. Methods for producing VIGUs and/or compliant edge seal assemblies and VIGU and edge seal apparatus are disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: May 4, 2012Date of Patent: May 3, 2016Assignee: EverSealed Windows, Inc.Inventors: William H. Francis, IV, Gregg E. Freebury, Neal J. Beidleman, Michael Hulse
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Publication number: 20160052225Abstract: Laminate structures and methods of making laminate structures having overwrapped laminate edges which resist delamination and fraying or including one or more stabilizer laminates which afford greater radial and torsional rigidity in longitudinally slit tube structures.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 21, 2013Publication date: February 25, 2016Applicant: Roccor, LLCInventors: William H. Francis, Gregg E. Freebury, Michael J. Hulse
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Publication number: 20160010333Abstract: Collapsible support structures and methods of making collapsible support structures which interconvert between a deployed condition and a collapsed planate condition which allows extensible retractable deployment of the collapsed structure from a reduced volume rolled condition.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 14, 2014Publication date: January 14, 2016Applicant: TENDEG LLCInventors: Gregg E. Freebury, William H. Francis