Thomas A Roy

US Patent:

7932492, Apr 26, 2011

Filed:

Jul 14, 2009

Appl. No.:

12/460127

Inventors:

Nathaniel Demmons - Mason NH, US
Roy Martin - Grafton MA, US
Vladimir Hruby - Newton MA, US
Thomas Roy - Newton MA, US
Douglas Spence - Brookline MA, US
Eric Ehrbar - Brookline MA, US
Jurg Zwahlen - Ipswich NH, US

Assignee:

Busek Co. Inc. - Natick MA

International Classification:

H01J 49/10

US Classification:

250288

Abstract:

An electrospray device includes an electrospray emitter adapted to receive electrospray fluid; an extractor plate spaced from the electrospray emitter and having at least one aperature; and a power supply for applying a first voltage between the extractor plate and emitter for generating at least one Taylor cone emission through the aperature to create an electrospray plume from the electrospray fluid, the extractor plate as well as accelerator and shaping plates may include a porous, conductive medium for transporting and storing excess, accumulated electrospray fluid away from the aperature.

US Patent:

8448419, May 28, 2013

Filed:

Aug 18, 2008

Appl. No.:

12/228909

Inventors:

Nathaniel Demmons - Mason NH, US
Vlad Hruby - Newton MA, US
Douglas Spence - Brookline MA, US
Thomas Roy - Auburndale MA, US

Assignee:

Busek Company, Inc. - Natick MA

International Classification:

F03H 1/00
B63H 11/00
H01J 17/26

US Classification:

60202, 602031, 60204, 31323101

Abstract:

An electrospray source useful for a variety of applications and including an emitter with a porous media flow distributor having a surface forming multiple Taylor cones. A casing about the porous media flow distributor controls the direction of a working fluid through the porous media. An extractor is at a potential different than the emitter for forming the Taylor cones. A guard electrode is disposed between the emitter and the extractor and is at or above the potential of the emitter for shaping the electric field formed between the emitter and the extractor.

US Patent:

20150097084, Apr 9, 2015

Filed:

Oct 3, 2014

Appl. No.:

14/505678

Inventors:

- Natick MA, US
Vladimir Hruby - Newton MA, US
Thomas R. Roy - Maynard MA, US
Craig DeLuccia - Natick MA, US
Jay Andrews - Templeton MA, US
W. Dan Williams - Bolton MA, US
Matthew R. Berlin - Cambridge MA, US
Jesse V. Gray - Somerville MA, US

International Classification:

B64G 1/22
B64G 1/40
B64G 1/66
B64G 1/10

US Classification:

2441711, 901 47, 901 9

Abstract:

A spacecraft system and method includes a platform with a dock and an umbilical payout device. A robot is connected to an umbilical paid out by the umbilical payout device and is repeatedly deployable from the dock. The robot includes one or more imagers, an inertial measurement unit, and a plurality of thrusters. A command module receives image data from the one or more robot imagers and orientation data from the inertial measurement unit. An object recognition module is configured to recognize one or more objects from the received image data. The command module determines the robot's orientation with respect to an object and issues thruster control commands to control movement of the robot based on the robot's orientation. The combination of the space platform and robot on umbilical line can be used for towing another object to different orbital location, inspection including self-inspection of the robot carrying platform and for robotic servicing.