Thang Q Le

US Patent:

7543779, Jun 9, 2009

Filed:

Jan 19, 2007

Appl. No.:

11/625066

Inventors:

James L. Lewis - Houston TX, US
Monty B. Carroll - League City TX, US
Thang D. Le - Friendswood TX, US
Ray H. Morales - Houston TX, US
Brandan R. Robertson - Houston TX, US

Assignee:

The United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration - Washington DC

International Classification:

B64G 1/64

US Classification:

2441724, 2441594

Abstract:

An androgynous mating system for mating two exoatmospheric space modules comprising a first mating assembly capable of mating with a second mating assembly; a second mating assembly structurally identical to said first mating assembly, said first mating assembly comprising; a load ring; a plurality of load cell subassemblies; a plurality of actuators; a base ring; a tunnel; a closed loop control system; one or more electromagnets; and one or more striker plates, wherein said one or more electomagnets on said second mating assembly are capable of mating with said one or more striker plates on said first mating assembly, and wherein said one or more striker plates is comprised of a plate of predetermined shape and a 5-DOF mechanism capable of maintaining predetermined contact requirements during said mating of said one or more electromagnets and said one or more striker plates.

US Patent:

7686529, Mar 30, 2010

Filed:

Dec 18, 2007

Appl. No.:

11/958908

Inventors:

Thang D. Le - Friendswood TX, US
James L. Lewis - Houston TX, US
Monty B. Carroll - League City TX, US

Assignee:

The United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration - Washington DC

International Classification:

F16D 3/00

US Classification:

403 78, 403 79

Abstract:

In an embodiment, a two-axis joint that utilizes planar reactions to handle moments applied to the side of the joint thereby allowing the device to remain low profile and compact with minimal intrusion to the mounting surface of the two-axis joint. To handle larger moments, the diameter of the planar member can be increased without increasing the overall height of the joint assembly thereby retaining the low profile thereof. Upper and lower antifriction bearings may be positioned within a housing engage the planar member to reduce rotational friction. The upper and lower bearings and a hub which supports the planar member transfer forces produced by moments applied to the side of the joint so as to spread the forces over the area of the housing.

US Patent:

6354540, Mar 12, 2002

Filed:

Sep 20, 1999

Appl. No.:

09/405301

Inventors:

James L. Lewis - Houston TX
Monty B. Carroll - League City TX
Ray H. Morales - Houston TX
Thang D. Le - Friendswood TX

Assignee:

The United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration - Washington WA

International Classification:

B64G 164

US Classification:

244161

Abstract:

The present invention relates to a fully androgynous, reconfigurable closed loop feedback controlled low impact docking system with load sensing electromagnetic capture ring. The docking system of the present invention preferably comprises two docking assemblies, each docking assembly comprising a load sensing ring having an outer face, one of more electromagnets, one or more load cells coupled to said load sensing ring. The docking assembly further comprises a plurality of actuator arms coupled to said load sensing ring and capable of dynamically adjusting the orientation of said load sensing ring and a reconfigurable closed loop control system capable of analyzing signals originating from said plurality of load cells and of outputting real time control for each of the actuators. The docking assembly of the present invention incorporates an active load sensing system to automatically dynamically adjust the load sensing ring during capture instead of requiring significant force to push and realign the ring.