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:
Aug. 31, 2021
Filed:
Dec. 01, 2017
Northrop Grumman Systems Corporation, Plymouth, MN (US);
Peter O. Sorensen, Santa Barbara, CA (US);
Matthew Alan Michel, Oak Hill, VA (US);
William A. Llorens, Herndon, VA (US);
David M. Murphy, Goleta, CA (US);
Jeffrey Braden, Dulles, VA (US);
Michael Edward McEachen, Santa Barbara, CA (US);
Michael Foster, Dulles, VA (US);
Northrop Grumman Systems Corporation, Falls Church, VA (US);
Abstract
Capture assemblies and compliant extension assemblies may be utilized for insertion into a nozzle of a liquid engine of a spacecraft. The capture assembly may include an apparatus such as a probe for insertion into the nozzle and an assembly at least partially enclosed in a forward portion of the probe. The assembly may include a plurality of actuated fingers for deploying outwardly from the probe when the probe is inserted into the nozzle. The compliant extension assembly may be at least partially enclosed in a housing connected to the capture assembly for axial movement of the probe. The compliant extension assembly may facilitate axial movement of the probe between a retracted position and an extended position, wherein the probe is extended forwardly, relative to the housing.