This inventor holds 2 USPTO granted patents. Top assignee: Hughes Electronics Corporation. Active years: 2000.
Company Filing History:
Years Active: 2000
Title: Innovations by Stephen D. Burke
Introduction
Stephen D. Burke is an accomplished inventor based in Redondo Beach, California. He has made significant contributions to the field of aerospace engineering, particularly in solar power technologies for spacecraft. With a total of 2 patents, his work focuses on enhancing the efficiency and effectiveness of solar arrays in satellite systems.
Latest Patents
Burke's latest patents include innovative methods for reducing solar array power variations while managing the operational influences on satellites. One of his notable inventions involves solar wing positioning methods that favorably reduce seasonal power variations. This method manages the composite system influence that off-pointed solar wing operation imposes on the satellite. The design includes environmental torques and other system influences, such as wing-to-body thermal radiation and thruster plume impingement. In a simpler embodiment, the solar wings are tilted asymmetrically to reduce seasonal power variations while generating a solar pressure torque component that compensates for gravity gradient torque.
Another significant patent involves thin-film solar reflectors that are deployable from an edge-stowed configuration. These flexible, lightweight reflective sheets concentrate solar radiation on spacecraft solar panels. The sheets are held in place by inner and outer spring members, which allow them to transition from a stowed configuration to a deployed, planar configuration. This design not only increases the incident radiation on the solar panels but also reduces the number of solar cells needed, leading to cost and weight savings for spacecraft.
Career Highlights
Stephen D. Burke has had a distinguished career at Hughes Electronics Corporation, where he has been instrumental in developing advanced technologies for satellite systems. His innovative approaches have contributed to the company's reputation as a leader in aerospace technology.
Collaborations
Throughout his career, Burke has collaborated with notable colleagues, including Ray A. Stribling and Umesh S. Ketkar. These collaborations have fostered a creative environment that has led to groundbreaking advancements in solar power technologies.
Conclusion
Stephen D. Burke's contributions to the field of aerospace engineering, particularly in solar power technologies, have made a significant impact on satellite efficiency. His innovative patents reflect a commitment to advancing the capabilities of spacecraft systems.