Douglas James Cameron

US Patent:

7142971, Nov 28, 2006

Filed:

Feb 19, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/369285

Inventors:

Eric D. Brown - Huntington Beach CA, US
Douglas C. Cameron - Seal Beach CA, US
Krish R. Krothapalli - Redondo Beach CA, US
Todd M. Williams - Long Beach CA, US

Assignee:

The Boeing Company - Chicago IL

International Classification:

G06F 19/00

US Classification:

701110, 701 23, 701 25, 701 26, 244183

Abstract:

The method and system for automatically controlling a path of travel of a vehicle include engaging an automatic control system when the security of the onboard controls is jeopardized. Engagement may be automatic or manual from inside the vehicle or remotely via a communication link. Any onboard capability to supersede the automatic control system may then be disabled by disconnecting the onboard controls and/or providing uninterruptible power to the automatic control system via a path that does not include the onboard accessible power control element(s). The operation of the vehicle is then controlled via the processing element of the automatic control system. The control commands may be received from a remote location and/or from predetermined control commands that are stored onboard the vehicle.

US Patent:

20070235592, Oct 11, 2007

Filed:

Dec 5, 2006

Appl. No.:

11/633910

Inventors:

Phillippe Horn - Long Beach CA, US
Douglas Cameron - Seal Beach CA, US
Tony Lytle - Huntington Beach CA, US
Eric Brown - Huntington Beach CA, US

International Classification:

B64G 1/00

US Classification:

244158100

Abstract:

A method and apparatus for separating a first spacecraft from a rotating second spacecraft within a separation corridor having a trailing boundary surface is disclosed. The method and apparatus use a non-stationkeeping trajectory that uses a greater portion of the separation corridor to reduce thrust requirements and reduce the time necessary for separation.