Michael J Nolan

US Patent:

7009578, Mar 7, 2006

Filed:

Nov 17, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/707032

Inventors:

Michael Nolan - Hermosa Beach CA, US
Samir F. Bassily - Los Angeles CA, US
Richard W. Gehle - Yorba Linda CA, US
Jerry Miles Lake - Torrance CA, US

Assignee:

The Boeing Company - Chicago IL

International Classification:

H01Q 15/20

US Classification:

343915, 343897

Abstract:

A framework for a deployable antenna is disclosed herein. The framework basically includes a plurality of elongate ribs, a matching plurality of foldable resilient members, and a hub. Each of the elongate ribs has both a proximal end and a distal end. The foldable resilient members serve to interconnect the proximal ends of the elongate ribs to the hub. Within such a configuration, each of the foldable resilient members is capable of storing strain energy whenever forcibly folded and also releasing the strain energy whenever subsequently permitted to elastically unfold. Thus, whenever the elongate ribs are released from a stowed position in which the foldable resilient members are forcibly folded, the strain energy causes automatic deployment of the antenna as the foldable resilient members are permitted to elastically unfold. In sum, therefore, the framework obviates many conventional uses of electro-mechanical motors or actuators in deploying various antennas.

US Patent:

7242483, Jul 10, 2007

Filed:

Aug 12, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/917924

Inventors:

Ketao Liu - Cerritos CA, US
Cameron Massey - Hawthorne CA, US
Michael Nolan - Hermosa Beach CA, US

Assignee:

The Boeing Company - Chicago IL

International Classification:

G01B 11/24

US Classification:

356601, 356614, 3562371

Abstract:

A laser metrology system for estimating the deformation of a structure is provided. The system includes a plurality of laser beam position detectors distributed across a surface of the structure. Each laser beam position detector is intersected by a laser beam and is configured to determine the change in location of the intersection point in at least one dimension. By determining the change in location of the intersection point for each laser beam position detector, the laser metrology system can calculate the deformation of the structure that caused these changes in location.

US Patent:

7345653, Mar 18, 2008

Filed:

Feb 22, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/062996

Inventors:

Michael Nolan - Hermosa Beach CA, US
David Bressler - Los Angeles CA, US
George Voulelikas - El Segundo CA, US

Assignee:

The Boeing Company - Chicago IL

International Classification:

H01Q 15/14

US Classification:

343912, 343781 P

Abstract:

An invention is provided for generating a shaped reflector. The invention includes receiving required performance data that defines a desired RF performance of a shaped reflector. A mathematical model of the shaped reflector is manipulated to generate a new geometry for the shaped reflector, which is capable of generating the desired RF performance. To ensure the new geometry can be physically duplicated with high precision, the mathematical model is manipulated in a manner that can be duplicated using a plurality of tuners associated with the shaped reflector. Once the new geometry is created, data is outputted that defines alterations to the plurality of tuners needed to generate the new geometry for the shaped reflector.

US Patent:

7505152, Mar 17, 2009

Filed:

Feb 24, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/065623

Inventors:

Cameron G. Massey - Hawthorne CA, US
Hans Bruesselbach - Monte Nido CA, US
Robert Doty - Los Angeles CA, US
Guillermo Herrera - Winnetka CA, US
Michael Nolan - Hermosa Beach CA, US

Assignee:

The Boeing Company - Chicago IL

International Classification:

G01B 11/14

US Classification:

356614, 356124

Abstract:

An optical metrology system having an optical metrology sensor assembly and a target is disclosed. The optical metrology sensor assembly transmits a light beam to the target and then uses the reflected beam from the target to determine the position of the target in three dimensions. The optical metrology sensor can comprise a light source, a ranging device, and a two-dimensional sensor. The optical metrology system is suitable for applications such as determining the position, orientation, and shape of a spacecraft antenna, so as to facilitate movement thereof to enhance operation of the antenna.

US Patent:

60183284, Jan 25, 2000

Filed:

Dec 17, 1998

Appl. No.:

9/215113

Inventors:

Michael Nolan - Manhattan Beach CA
Miguel A. Estevez - Culver City CA
Karl J. Sakowski - Manhattan Beach CA
Terry R. Denardo - San Pedro CA
Clarence Douglas Reddell - Hermosa Beach CA
Russell Watkins - Felton PA
John J. Sennikoff - Brea CA
Patrick N. Costantini - Torrance CA
Dru D. Hartranft - Redondo Beach CA
Robert U. Johnson - Torrance CA
Richard W. Gehle - Yorba Linda CA

Assignee:

Hughes Electronics Corporation - Los Angeles CA

International Classification:

H01Q 1514

US Classification:

343912

Abstract:

A single surface reflector antenna and method for making same comprises a plurality of hat-shaped cross section ribs formed on the back surface of a reflector shell with flexible tooling. All antenna shell and backing structure components are comprised of triaxial weave graphite laminate layers thereby allowing the backing structure to conform precisely to the shape of the antenna shell when cured and heat cycled.

US Patent:

59661046, Oct 12, 1999

Filed:

Mar 31, 1998

Appl. No.:

9/052407

Inventors:

Cameron G. Massey - Hawthorne CA
Mark T. Austin - Mira Loma CA
Peter D. Anderson - Redondo Beach CA
Miguel A. Estevez - Culver City CA
Michael Nolan - Torrance CA
Clifford R. Harper - Torrance CA
Terry R. Denardo - San Pedro CA
John J. Sennikoff - Brea CA
Martin M. Skredsvig - M.B. CA

Assignee:

Hughes Electronics Corporation - Los Angeles CA

International Classification:

H01Q 128
H01Q 108

US Classification:

343915

Abstract:

An antenna having dual reflectors connected by a moving mechanism for moving the reflectors between stowed and deployed positions. In the stowed position the reflectors overlap and are positioned close to each other. In the deployed position the reflectors are spaced apart.