Lisa Ann Hill

US Patent:

6775046, Aug 10, 2004

Filed:

Nov 6, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/288901

Inventors:

Lisa R. Hill - Rancho Palos Verdes CA
Gregory P. Carman - Los Angeles CA

Assignee:

Northrop Grumman Corporation - Los Angeles CA

International Classification:

G02F 101

US Classification:

359288, 359291, 359298, 345 55, 345102, 343915, 16225, 606108

Abstract:

Reconfigurable radiant energy reflectors ( ) of very low areal densities are formed of a laminate of a thin layer of a shape memory alloy ( ) and a thin film or membrane material ( ). The outer surface of the membrane provides the energy reflecting surface ( ) and a support member ( ) is attached to the laminate for application in a system. In a preferred embodiment, the shape memory alloy ( ) is compositionally graded ( ) and exhibits a two-way shape memory effect and a heater ( ) serves as the actuator to the reflector.

US Patent:

20110297795, Dec 8, 2011

Filed:

Apr 7, 2011

Appl. No.:

13/082108

Inventors:

Talbot Jaeger - Los Alamitos CA, US
Lisa Hill - Torrance CA, US
Christopher Hagen - Redondo Beach CA, US

International Classification:

B64G 1/24
B64G 1/40
G05D 1/10
B64G 1/10

US Classification:

2441711, 2441731, 2441723, 701 13

Abstract:

One embodiment of the invention includes a spacecraft system. The system includes a spacecraft payload system coupled to a spacecraft frame. The system also includes a plurality of spacecraft panels disposed about the spacecraft frame. Each of the plurality of spacecraft panels can be communicatively coupled together via a network and configured substantially identically with respect to each other, and can include a processor and associated spacecraft control components. The processors of each of the spacecraft panels controlling the respective spacecraft control components independently to cooperatively and autonomously implement spacecraft control functions to implement a common mission objective.

US Patent:

63134012, Nov 6, 2001

Filed:

Dec 18, 1998

Appl. No.:

9/216151

Inventors:

Michael J. Triller - Hermosa Beach CA
Christopher W. Felts - Lakewood CA
Kathleen M. Doherty - Rancho Palos Verdes CA
Lisa R. Hill - Rancho Palos Verdes CA
Craig A. Lavinsky - Manhattan Beach CA

Assignee:

TRW Inc. - Redondo Beach CA

International Classification:

H01L 2328
H05K 506

US Classification:

174 522

Abstract:

A singly or doubly encapsulated actuator/sensor package in which a ceramic actuator/sensor (10) may be first encapsulated in a primary encapsulating material (12) and is encapsulated in a fiber-reinforced composite material (20, 22). A combination of the material and ply angles (. theta. ) of the fiber-reinforced composite material (20, 22) are used to control selection of a composite coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) and the stiffness or compliance of the package with respect to a selected axis. By optimal selection of the material and the ply angle, based upon a suitable actuation strength figure of merit, a CTE of zero or a CTE matching that of an underlying structural member (24) is obtained, while simultaneously maximizing the actuation strength in a selected actuation direction. Application of the invention to precision structures permits the underlying structures to be designed with very low stiffness, because precise, thermally stable, pointing or shaping actuation forces may be obtained in a thermally stable manner.