The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Jun. 30, 2020
Filed:
May. 10, 2017
Applicant:
The Aerospace Corporation, El Segundo, CA (US);
Inventor:
Robert Alan Hickman, Chapel Hill, NC (US);
Assignee:
The Aerospace Corporation, El Segundo, CA (US);
Attorney:
Primary Examiner:
Int. Cl.
CPC ...
B64G 1/24 (2006.01); B64G 1/64 (2006.01); B64G 1/40 (2006.01); B64G 1/00 (2006.01); B64G 1/36 (2006.01);
U.S. Cl.
CPC ...
B64G 1/242 (2013.01); B64G 1/002 (2013.01); B64G 1/005 (2013.01); B64G 1/007 (2013.01); B64G 1/40 (2013.01); B64G 1/405 (2013.01); B64G 1/646 (2013.01); B64G 1/648 (2013.01); B64G 1/36 (2013.01); B64G 1/402 (2013.01);
Abstract
A system for imparting linear momentum transfer may include a catching mechanism of a target space vehicle and a tether that is configured to impart a linear momentum transfer from the tether to the target space vehicle. The tether may be fixedly or detachably connected to a Kinetic Energy Storage and Transfer (KEST) vehicle that maneuvers and potentially retrieves the tether. Alternatively, the tether may be separate from the KEST vehicle and may be retrieved by a suitable retrieving mechanism, such as a robotic arm.