Todd J Bednarek

Title: Todd J. Bednarek and the Analog Sun Sensor

Introduction

Todd J. Bednarek is an inventor associated with Wolcott, Connecticut, and the Edo Corporation’s Barnes Engineering Division. His patent work includes an analog sun sensor designed to provide accurate positional information for spacecraft and other orbiting bodies.

Latest Patents

The supplied information identifies one patent for Bednarek: “Analog Sun Sensor.” The invention combines a continuous sensor, which tracks the sun and provides two-axis position information, with a periodic sensor that supplies reference updates. These updates help correct errors in the continuous sensor caused by nonlinear response, environmental aging, and radiation effects.

The continuous sensor uses two orthogonally arranged double-triangle detectors, each forming a rectangle with a slot aperture. An algorithm locates the shadows of the slots on the detectors to determine the sun’s position. A separate patterned mask and small-area detector provide periodic positional updates, allowing the system to calibrate the continuous readings.

Career Highlights

Bednarek’s listed patent reflects work on sensor technology for spacecraft and satellite navigation. The design addresses the challenge of maintaining reliable sun-position measurements in demanding operating environments.

Collaborations

The supplied information lists Robert C. Savoca and Carlo E. Zaffanella as Bednarek’s coworkers. His company affiliation is the Edo Corporation’s Barnes Engineering Division.

Conclusion

Todd J. Bednarek’s analog sun sensor combines continuous tracking with periodic calibration to improve positional accuracy for orbiting bodies, and the supplied record lists 1 patent associated with his work.