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| Number | Title | Issue Date |
| 8109472 | Collapsible structures with adjustable forms Structures and methods are disclosed regarding deployable structures with expandable longerons adjustably coupled with supporting structures such that an angle between the supporting structures can be adjusted. Such structures can include and/or be used for solar ar... | 02/07/2012 |
| 8074936 | Power generating and distribution system and method A system and method of generating and distributing power includes one or more microwave power transmitters at locations on Earth adjacent natural fuel or power resources such as natural gas, oil, solid fuel, or geothermal energy. The fuel or energy source is convert... | 12/13/2011 |
| 8066227 | Deployable structures having collapsible structural members Deployable structures are disclosed having collapsible structural members that include a stowed configuration with a volume smaller than the expanded configuration. Such structures can include and/or be used for litters, bridges, support structures, solar arrays, an... | 11/29/2011 |
| 8061660 | Large-scale deployable solar array A deployable structure is disclosed. The deployable structure may include one or more slit-tube longerons; and one or more flat sheets coupled with the one or more slit-tube longerons. The one or more slit-tube longerons and the one or more flat sheets may be stowed... | 11/22/2011 |
| 7900875 | Power generating and distribution system and method A system and method of generating and distributing power includes one or more microwave power transmitters at locations on Earth adjacent natural fuel or power resources such as natural gas, oil, solid fuel, or geothermal energy. The fuel or energy source is convert... | 03/08/2011 |
| 7806370 | Large-scale deployable solar array A deployable structure is disclosed. The deployable structure may include one or more slit-tube longerons; and one or more flat sheets coupled with the one or more slit-tube longerons. The one or more slit-tube longerons and the one or more flat sheets may be stowed... | 10/05/2010 |
| 7546983 | Spacecraft power acquisition method for wing-stowed configuration A system for, and method of recovering a solar-powered spacecraft from an anomaly that renders the attitude of the spacecraft unknown includes maintaining a power-safe attitude by switching between two orthogonal axes using solar panel current sensors. The system an... | 06/16/2009 |
| 7407137 | Dual voltage integrated power and attitude control system and method An integrated power and attitude control system and method for a vehicle efficiently supplies electrical power to both low voltage and high voltage loads, and does not rely on relatively heavy batteries to supply power during the vehicle initialization process. The ... | 08/05/2008 |
| 7317384 | Optical exploration device and vehicle comprising said device The invention relates to an optical exploration device, particularly for the detection of the blind spot of a vehicle, comprising first passive thermal infrared detection means (2) of the thermopile variety, for example, having a sensitivity range within a fi... | 01/08/2008 |
| 7270304 | Isolating positioning boom for instrument platform A positioning boom disposed between a space-based observatory platform and its instrument payload provides thermal and dynamic isolation as well as fine pointing and momentum control. The inventive system isolates a sensitive payload from a warm, dynamically noisy s... | 09/18/2007 |
| 7247953 | Solar energy conversion and transmission system A system consisting of one or more satellites carrying photovoltaic panels that capture solar energy and convert it to electricity for storage and transmission to earth by a microwave energy beam. The earth station absorbs the microwave energy beam in a pressurized ... | 07/24/2007 |
| 7156349 | Artificial satellite A plurality of panels are coupled rotatably by a hinge mechanism. The panels are folded when a rocket loaded with the panels is launched and unfolded in space after the artificial satellite is released. Each of the panels is loaded with at least functional elements ... | 01/02/2007 |
| 7122733 | Multi-junction photovoltaic cell having buffer layers for the growth of single crystal boron compounds The present invention provides a solar cell comprising a substrate, a first buffer layer disposed above the base layer, a second buffer layer disposed above the first buffer layer, a first boron compound layer disposed above the second buffer layer, a second boron c... | 10/17/2006 |
| 7104506 | Spacecraft disturbance trimming system A spacecraft comprises a main body; at least one elongated solar wing extending from the main body, defining a generally flat plane and comprising a pair of longitudinally extending side edges; at least one other component or structure extending from the main body a... | 09/12/2006 |
| 7093804 | Foldable and deployable assembly of elements mounted on board a spacecraft According to invention, said elements (1.1 to 1.n) are secured to the same side (3) of a flexible inflatable mattress (4) and, when said elements are in the folded state, said mattress (4) is in the deflated state and is fol... | 08/22/2006 |
| 7071405 | Independent power bank system An independent power bank system and intended use therefor, comprising an electromagnetic field generator and a power bank comprising one or more light bulbs, the light bulbs being filled with a gas capable of being lighted when subjected to a generated electromagne... | 07/04/2006 |
| 7023962 | Collimator, X-ray irradiator, and X-ray apparatus A collimator comprises a pair of first plate members having X-ray absorbability and a pair of second plate members having X-ray absorbability. The pair of first plate members are movable in a direction parallel to surfaces thereof, and have respective end faces oppo... | 04/04/2006 |
| 6682020 | Unfolding joint for satellite solar generators A joint is provided for unfolding systems, e.g. for satellite solar generators that permits sufficiently large unfolding torque, low weight and small dimensions. A drive on one joint half acts on a small pulley to wind a cord on it. The other end of the c... | 01/27/2004 |
| 6660927 | Solar panel with corrugated thin film solar cells Solar panel includes solar cells affixed to one or more sheet elements and a frame for supporting the sheet elements, wherein the frame is provided with attachment members for attaching the sheet elements to the frame. The attachment members include one o... | 12/09/2003 |
| 6637702 | Nested beam deployable solar array A solar array includes a plurality of panels that are individually supported by beams that nest within each other in the stowed position to minimize the volume of the structure prior to deployment. The beams are pivotally connected to each other are deplo... | 10/28/2003 |
| 6634604 | Method for operation of a rotating space vehicle with varying rotation A method for operating a space vehicle equipped with at least one device cooperating with a celestial body, wherein rotation of the space vehicle takes place around at least one axis of the space vehicle. The rotation of the space vehicle is slowed when t... | 10/21/2003 |
| 6617505 | Solar battery module, replacement solar cell, and method of replacing solar cell A solar battery module includes a plurality of solar cells connected to one another and a plurality of spaces each provided between adjacent solar cells, the plurality of spaces including at least one repair space which is larger than other spaces. A repl... | 09/09/2003 |
| 4854526 | Spacecraft design enabling the compact nesting of multiple spacecraft in the launch vehicle A spacecraft (100) such as a satellite, is shaped roughly in the form of a cup with a hollow inner cavity (106) such that a plurality of such spacecraft may be stowed for launch in a nested stack (204), thereby enabling a greater number of satellites to b... | 08/08/1989 |
| 4756493 | Deployment system for space radiators A deployment system for controlling unfolding kinematics of radiator panels 26 of a space power system. The deployment system includes a plurality of forming mandrels 30 associated with a housing 38 of opposing generally triangular plates 40. Within the h... | 07/12/1988 |
| 4747566 | Apparatus for partially unfolding solar collectors Foldable panels of a solar collector, for example for a satellite, have a plurality of panel sections hinged to each other. At least one outer panel section of each panel is foldable into a position of about 90° to the yet unfolded panel sections. The po... | 05/31/1988 |
| 4747567 | Spacecraft with articulated solar array A spacecraft is disclosed which comprises a spacecraft body, at least one solar array extendible outwardly from the spacecraft body, and articulation means for adjusting the position of the solar array relative to the spacecraft body independently about t... | 05/31/1988 |
| 4735382 | Space craft cellular energy generating and storage device A space craft cellular energy generating and storage device for generating electrical power in space and storing the power for extended periods of time. The space craft generating and storage device characterized by having a pair of annular rotating housi... | 04/05/1988 |
| 4728061 | Spacecraft operable in two alternative flight modes A spacecraft is adapted for orbital flight in two alternative modes, referred to as the earth-oriented and quasi sun-oriented modes. The spacecraft comprises a spacecraft body, at least one solar array extendible outwardly from the spacecraft body, passiv... | 03/01/1988 |
| 4725025 | Deployment system A plurality of indexing brackets having indexing apertures are secured to a retractable boom in spaced relation. A like plurality of indexing bulkheads are hinged to a foldable panel array (or collapsible spiral antenna) at spaced hinge axes. The bulkhead... | 02/16/1988 |
| 4703907 | Mechanism for the automatic extension of an appendage of a space vehicle performing a rotary movement on itself The extension mechanism acts on each of the panels of the appendage, in such a way that the distance separating the center of gravity of said appendage from the rotation axis O of the space vehicle permanently increases from the initial position in which ... | 11/03/1987 |
| 4684084 | Spacecraft structure with symmetrical mass center and asymmetrical deployable appendages An orbiting satellite system includes an asymmetrically deployed antenna and two deployable solar cell arrays. The solar cell arrays are deployed to a location which compensates for the asymmetry of the antenna so that the resulting station keeping thrust... | 08/04/1987 |
| 4634086 | Solar ray collecting device for use in a spacecraft A solar ray collecting device suitable for being loaded and employed in a spacecraft. The device is made of a cylindrical cover, a plurality of round solar ray collecting portions, the light-receiving surface of which is equal in size to said cylindrical ... | 01/06/1987 |
| 4630791 | Transportable solar power station A space-based solar operated power module is configured for storage aboard a shuttle and then automatic deployment in the assigned orbit. It includes an articulated base support which is coupled to the ship's frame during deployment, and a chassis module,... | 12/23/1986 |
| 4591116 | Attitude control for satellites The attitude control is provided under utilization of the solar wind in that the effective surface area of solar panels facing the sun is controlled in accordance with certain rules of asymmetry and under utilization of pulling cable so that an imbalance ... | 05/27/1986 |
| 4588151 | Solar ray collector for spacecraft A solar ray collector for a spacecraft includes six posts which are movable into and out of a housing section in the spacecraft and define respectively the apexes of a hexagon. Panel-like collector subassemblies are cantilevered respectively by cross-arms... | 05/13/1986 |
| 4579302 | Shuttle-launch triangular space station A triangular space station deployable in orbit. The framework is comprised of three trusses, formed of a pair of generally planar faces comprised of foldable struts which expand and lock into rigid structural engagement forming a repetition of equilateral... | 04/01/1986 |
| 4508297 | Satellite on an equatorial orbit with improved solar means Equatorial orbit satellite with solar panels having blades with a medium line inclined at a certain angle relative to the equatorial plane. Thus, the field of vision of the antennaes is freed and disturbing torques become acceptable.... | 04/02/1985 |
| 4490668 | Microwave radiator utilizing solar energy A space-oriented apparatus for converting solar energy to microwave energy. The microwave energy is used to generate an RF beam for propagation to the earth. The apparatus is formed into an extended planar sandwich-like structure carrying solar cells on o... | 12/25/1984 |
| 4433201 | Solar power arrays for spacecraft A laminar plastics material sheet including a transparent, electrically conductive layer used to cover the front and/or rear surfaces of a spacecraft solar array to alleviate electrostatic charge build-up thereon due to electron bombardment.... | 02/21/1984 |
| 4426052 | Process and device for aligning the roll axis of a satellite with a desired direction Device for aligning the roll axis of a rotating artificial satellite having radial solar panels equipped with angularly movable control surfaces at their extremities. The device includes a motor associated with each control surface for controlling the ang... | 01/17/1984 |
