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:
Apr. 24, 2007
Filed:
Sep. 17, 2004
Bernd Bischof, Ganderkesee, DE;
Juergen Starke, Bremen, DE;
Hansjuergen Guenther, Bremen, DE;
Peter Foth, Weyhe-Leeste, DE;
Lothar Kerstein, Sottrum, DE;
Bernd Bischof, Ganderkesee, DE;
Juergen Starke, Bremen, DE;
Hansjuergen Guenther, Bremen, DE;
Peter Foth, Weyhe-Leeste, DE;
Lothar Kerstein, Sottrum, DE;
EADS Space Transportation GmbH, Bremen, DE;
Abstract
A remotely controlled apparatus for grasping an object such as a satellite in space includes a free-flying grasper unit connected by a selectively extendable cable to an orbital platform. The orbital platform and the grasper unit are preferably each independently propelled by respective propulsion systems including multi-axis maneuvering nozzles respectively provided on the orbital platform and on the grasper unit. The grasper unit preferably includes a grasper unit body and a grasper-arm mechanism having a controllable grasping claw articulately mounted on the end of a controllable telescoping arm that extends from the grasper unit body. The grasper unit preferably further includes a camera and a distance measuring sensor to provide visual and distance feedback data for assisting the remotely controlled maneuvering of the grasper unit and actuation of the grasper-arm mechanism.