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:
Mar. 17, 2015
Filed:
Dec. 06, 2011
Jonathan Andrew Goff, Lafayette, CO (US);
Michael Ivan Judson, Jr., Logan, UT (US);
William George Bolton, Longmont, CO (US);
Steven Wendell Hoyt, Louisville, CO (US);
Forrest Peter Ryan, Boulder, CO (US);
Jonathan Andrew Goff, Lafayette, CO (US);
Michael Ivan Judson, Jr., Logan, UT (US);
William George Bolton, Longmont, CO (US);
Steven Wendell Hoyt, Louisville, CO (US);
Forrest Peter Ryan, Boulder, CO (US);
Altius Space Machines, Broomfield, CO (US);
Abstract
A device for non-cooperatively capturing an object is provided. The device includes a boom having a fixed end coupled to a structure and a free end. The boom also includes boom deployers for moving the fixed end of the boom relative to the structure. The device also includes a capture head, coupled to the free end of the boom, and a control apparatus. The control apparatus controls the boom deployers and capture head to move the capture head in close proximity to the object. The control apparatus moves the capture head in closer proximity to the object if the capture head is not close enough to the object to capture the object. The control apparatus minimizes forces applied to the object, and activates a non-cooperative capture device. The non-cooperative capture device makes initial contact with the object, establishes intimate contact with the object, and captures the object.