Did You Know...
...that after Parker Brothers executives turned down the game of Monopoly because it had "52 fundamental errors" (including taking too long to play), a copy of the game wound up in the home of the company president who stayed up until 1 a.m. to finish playing it? He was so impressed by the game that the next day he wrote to inventor Charles Darrow and offered to buy it!
PatentStorm News
Make the Most of Our Site
See this month's Top Inventors and Most Cited Patents.
Stay on top of the latest innovations by subscribing to an RSS feed.
Registered users: Manage your profile.
| Number | Title | Issue Date |
| 7931237 | Universal launch vehicle payload adapter A universal adapter system and method for coupling payloads and launch vehicles are disclosed to provide optimum payload configurability. A modular bulkhead panel may be used that can support a plurality of payload platforms such that the layout of the plurality of ... | 04/26/2011 |
| 7922125 | Launching vehicle and satellite connection-separation apparatus A launcher and satellite connection-separation apparatus for launching and satellite vehicles has a band-clamp assembly of a band with an inner channel in which clamps are located in a sliding manner for application to rings interfacing between the vehicles, and a u... | 04/12/2011 |
| 7866607 | Piggyback satellite payload arrangement, a device for and method of attaching a piggyback satellite payload and adapter to be used for a piggyback satellite payload arrangement for launching the piggyback satellite The invention relates to a piggyback satellite, a device for and a method of attaching piggyback satellites with multiple payloads, including a primary satellite and at least one secondary payload, such as a deployable micro satellite, affixed instrument package or ... | 01/11/2011 |
| 7780119 | Modular spacecraft A modular spacecraft incorporating a launch vehicle interface design that also functions as a berthing or docking interface for the spacecraft. The vehicle interface utilizes existing launch vehicle components to minimize cost and time to flight. In addition, the sp... | 08/24/2010 |
| 7513462 | Satellite equipment mounting panel A satellite payload structure includes one side that includes at least two equipment mounting panels. Each of the equipment mounting panels are oriented substantially parallel to each other such that when the satellite is deployed, each of the equipment mounting pan... | 04/07/2009 |
| 7437224 | Target acquisition control for spacecraft gimballed payload A method and apparatus for controlling a gimbaled platform (108). The method comprises the steps of computing an acquisition phase gimbal angle rate command ωcmd—Acq (530) from a measured LOS angle error... | 10/14/2008 |
| 7434767 | Spacecraft adapter having embedded resources, and methods of forming same A spacecraft adapter having embedded resources for supporting a non-primary payload on a launch vehicle. The spacecraft adapter includes a battery, a power distribution and control system, and an interface circuit for interfacing with the non-primary payload. Other ... | 10/14/2008 |
| 7401752 | Protective shield assembly for space optics and associated methods A protective shield assembly capable of being deployed from a launch vehicle is provided, and methods for assembling and deploying the protective shield assembly are also provided. The protective shield assembly includes a shroud, and a flexible sheet of material wi... | 07/22/2008 |
| 7370835 | Platform and system for mass storage and transfer in space A platform for storage and transfer of payloads in space includes a plate for supporting a payload, and a transfer mechanism for transferring the payload to and from the plate. A groove extends diametrically between two edges of the plate for receiving a rail provid... | 05/13/2008 |
| 7234663 | Bubble cloud acoustic damping for launch vehicle fairing A launch vehicle payload fairing incorporating hollow cavities filled with an aerated fluid for the reduction of acoustic noise during launch. The fairing may also include a fluid ejection system for subsequent weight reduction. ... | 06/26/2007 |
| 7222823 | Payload adapter A payload adapter consists of a body that when hollow includes a plurality of stiffeners—radial and/or circumferential—or alternatively a core for carrying shear loads. The body may include a first annular face sheet, a second annular face sheet and a plurality ... | 05/29/2007 |
| 7219859 | Multipurpose modular spacecraft A reentry vehicle includes a nose section, a modular section comprised of two or more connected modules, a flared section. The nose section is connected to a first end of the modular section, and the flared section is positioned proximate a second end of the modular... | 05/22/2007 |
| 7198233 | Reusable orbital vehicle with interchangeable cargo modules A reusable module is affixed atop a reusable orbital vehicle (OV). Various configurations of the reusable module have identical external dimensions in the region of attachment to the OV to permit interchangeability. Different configurations can accommodate a variety... | 04/03/2007 |
| 7195206 | Apparatus and method for servicing and inspecting small free-flying platforms in orbit in space A small, substantially spherical, free-flying utility platform for use in space can be docked, inspected and serviced in an apparatus including a container with a chamber therein mounted on the outside of a space vehicle or space station. A motorized closing mechani... | 03/27/2007 |
| 7192229 | Apparatus for releasably securing a load to a structure A load, such as a pallet, is releasably secured to a fixed structure, e.g. a cargo bay of a space shuttle. The pallet (5) is secured to a support (2), which holds the pallet and is secured in the cargo bay. A first interlocking device (ID1) is p... | 03/20/2007 |
| 7188558 | Pyromechanical separating element The invention relates to a pyromechanical separating element having a hermetically sealed pyrotechnic pressure element (2), which is installed in a housing (1) and has a gas-forming pyrotechnic charge, and a detachable latching pin (5) which is ... | 03/13/2007 |
| 7118077 | Platform and system for mass storage and transfer in space A platform for storage and transfer of payloads in space includes a plate for supporting a payload, and a transfer mechanism for transferring the payload to and from the plate. A groove extends diametrically between two edges of the plate for receiving a rail provid... | 10/10/2006 |
| 7118076 | Satellite comprising means for transferring heat from a shelf supporting equipment to radiator panels A satellite, in particular a telecommunication satellite, comprises a structure having a north face and a south face that are oriented perpendicularly to the rotation axis of the Earth and an east face and a west face that are periodically exposed to solar radiation... | 10/10/2006 |
| 7114683 | Device and method for a spacecraft The invention presented here relates to a device in a spacecraft comprising a carrier rocket, a satellite and a detachable adapter (4) for connecting a satellite to the carrier rocket, where the adapter (4) comprises a wall structure (14, 15) fo... | 10/03/2006 |
| 7093805 | System and methods for integrating a payload with a launch vehicle A system for providing an interface between a launch vehicle and a payload of the launch vehicle includes payload integration points of the launch vehicle that remain unchanged relative to different payload configurations, such that a payload is configurable apart f... | 08/22/2006 |
| 7080809 | Space transportation system The invention, presents a new concept of spacecraft vehicle design and method of utilization in space flight operations. The system examines the major elements of launch, to orbit flight and return format. The system relies heavily on current space flight technology... | 07/25/2006 |
| 7026828 | Recording module with a universal input for measurement of physical parameters A recording card for the measurement of physical parameters includes at least one analogue-digital converter and at least one input connector for connection to a sensor. The recording card further includes a voltage source and a reference resistance arranged in seri... | 04/11/2006 |
| 6622971 | Adapter for connecting rocket stages An adapter for connecting at least a first rocket stage of a space vehicle to a second rocket stage of the space vehicle. The adapter is configured to separate with the first rocket stage when the first rocket stage is separated from the second rocket sta... | 09/23/2003 |
| 6239767 | Universal communications system for space applications A secondary universal communication system enables dedicated and independent communications capability between space vehicle payload elements and ground based communications networks. The system may either utilize existing communications satellites as an ... | 05/29/2001 |
| 5284095 | Compartment for electric circuits Enclosure of reception of electronic components is embarked in a missile. The missile is first fixed to an aircraft carrier and to follow a carried flight, then after being fired, to follow a free flight. The enclosure is located inside of an exterior cas... | 02/08/1994 |
| 4867395 | Flat end cap module for space transportation systems A module incorporating at least one flat end cap is positioned within the payload of the Space Shuttle or other space vehicle to enhance the capabilities of the payload area. The flat end cap reduces the required volume in the launch vehicle to be occupie... | 09/19/1989 |
| 4848705 | Modular space vehicle for deep space applications A modular space vehicle comprises a main tetrahedral propulsion unit with individual drive engines located at each corner of the tetrahedron forming the main unit. The engines are pivotably mounted so as to enable the direction of the thrust produced ther... | 07/18/1989 |
| 4789118 | Pad apparatus for supporting a payload in a cradle apparatus of a space vehicle A novel apparatus for supporting a payload in the cargo bay of a reusable space vehicle, like the orbiter of the NASA Space Transportation System (STS). In the preferred embodiment, a plurality of pad assemblies which are attached to a cradle located in t... | 12/06/1988 |
| 4776539 | Cradle apparatus for supporting payloads in a space vehicle A lightweight cradle apparatus for supporting payloads such as an upper stage and a mated spacecraft in the cargo bay of a reusable space vehicle like the orbiter used in the NASA Space Transportation System. The cradle apparatus provides support for the ... | 10/11/1988 |
| 4771971 | Payload container and fastening structure for use in space vehicles A plurality of payload containers are assembled from modularly extendable base plates, and standardized side walls and covers; each base plate has a trapezoidally cross-sectioned trough-like guide channel and includes centrally positioned counterplug mean... | 09/20/1988 |
| 4715565 | Clamping connection assembly for spacecraft An improved clamping connection assembly for separable parts of spacecraft is provided and includes a tension belt for securing a plurality of retainers against camming surfaces on flange members on separable spacecraft component parts. The other peripher... | 12/29/1987 |
| 4697767 | Spacecraft subsystem support structure A structural system is used to hold a laser communications subsystem having a gimballed telescope mounted on a truss system. Optical equipment requiring high tolerances is mounted onto an equipment support assembly that is mounted within the truss system ... | 10/06/1987 |
| 4646994 | Spacecraft support and separation system A support structure for a satellite/perigee stage assembly in the cargo bay of a shuttle orbiter is provided by a cradle assembly. The perigee stage is latched to the cradle assembly by three releasable latches which catch trunnions extending from fitting... | 03/03/1987 |
| 4618111 | Spacecraft structure for supporting an optical bench A mounting structure for securing a payload such as a telescope or other sensitive optical bench, to a spacecraft, in such a manner that accleration loads are transferred to the telescope in a normal manner, but deformations in the spacecraft are isolated... | 10/21/1986 |
| 4600169 | Integrated spacecraft cradle and shuttle structure A spacecraft is mounted in a cradle secured in the space shuttle by means of a suspension system including four cradle attachment members secured to the upper longeron bridge of the shuttle, in which provision is made for movably mounting one attachment m... | 07/15/1986 |
| 4533100 | Mounting device for supporting a component, especially a mirror or an antenna reflector in a spacecraft The invention relates to a mounting device for supporting a component, especially a mirror or an antenna reflector in a spacecraft. The device comprises a combination of flexible blades disposed between the support, and between the intermediate piece and ... | 08/06/1985 |
| 4508296 | Hemispherical latching apparatus A payload retention system for securing and retaining a payload in a fixed docked position on a platform in a cargo bay of a space vehicle is disclosed which includes a plurality of latching assemblies 16 carried by platform 10 each of which includes a la... | 04/02/1985 |
| 4508404 | Remote connect and disconnect assembly with energy isolation A method and apparatus are disclosed for remotely connecting, disconnecting and reconnecting a flexible communication member between two spaced apart bodies which are in predetermined relative positions to one another within given tolerances, and more par... | 04/02/1985 |
| 4408740 | Apparatus for acceleration-free mounting of a body in a spacecraft To ensure that a body will be independent of gravitation for the performance of tests, an evacuable protection box is provided which encloses contact free the body from all sides. The protection box has contactless scanning units to monitor the position o... | 10/11/1983 |
| 4395004 | Modular spacecraft structures Spacecraft structures which are suitable for mounting within the bay of a space shuttle. Each structure comprises a plurality of modules, each module in the form of a truss network, these networks being secured to one another. Electronic payloads, thruste... | 07/26/1983 |
