Robert M Hoyt

US Patent:

6386484, May 14, 2002

Filed:

Sep 8, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/658377

Inventors:

Robert P. Hoyt - Seattle WA 99125
Robert L. Forward - Clinton WA 88236

International Classification:

B64G 900

US Classification:

244172, 244158 R

Abstract:

A tether having the special technical feature of multiple primary load-bearing lines and normally slack secondary lines. These primary and secondary lines are connected together with knotless, slipless interconnections so the tether maintains high strength and some of the lines can be cut without failure of the tether when it is operated near the ultimate failure load of the material from which it is constructed. This tether can safely carry load hundreds of times longer than prior art tethers in harsh environments where a single-line tether experiences a substantial risk of failure. The specific industrial applications of an electrodynamic tether system to deorbit satellites and a low Earth orbit to lunar surface tether transport system are all part of the general innovative concept of the invention.

US Patent:

6419191, Jul 16, 2002

Filed:

Aug 30, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/651557

Inventors:

Robert P. Hoyt - Seattle WA 98125
Robert L. Forward - Clinton WA 98236

International Classification:

B64G 100

US Classification:

244158R, 244166, 244172

Abstract:

The present invention comprises apparatus and methods for using and controlling electrodynamic tethers. The apparatus taught by the present invention uses an interconnected multiwire (compared to the long, narrow single wires of the prior art) conductive tether whose area maximizes electrodynamic drag while simultaneously minimizing the Area-Time-Product swept by the tether during its operating life. The preferred tether length is two kilometers to five kilometers. The preferred tether mass is one percent to five percent of the spacecraft mass. The methods of control taught by the present invention comprise orienting the tether structure at a preferred angle to the local vertical to maximize electrodynamic drag and minimize tether instabilities. The angle of 35. 26 degrees to the local vertical line is preferred.

US Patent:

6431497, Aug 13, 2002

Filed:

Sep 8, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/658379

Inventors:

Robert P. Hoyt - Seattle WA 98125
Robert L. Forward - Clinton WA 98236

International Classification:

B64G 900

US Classification:

244172, 244158 R

Abstract:

A tether having the special technical feature of multiple primary load-bearing lines and normally slack secondary lines. These primary and secondary lines are connected together with knotless, slipless interconnections so the tether maintains high strength and some of the lines can be cut without failure of the tether when it is operated near the ultimate failure load of the material from which it is constructed. This tether can safely carry load hundreds of times longer than prior art tethers in harsh environments where a single-line tether experiences a substantial risk of failure. The specific industrial applications of an electrodynamic tether system to deorbit satellites and a low Earth orbit to lunar surface tether transport system are all part of the general innovative concept of the invention.

US Patent:

20120138748, Jun 7, 2012

Filed:

Apr 30, 2010

Appl. No.:

13/318330

Inventors:

Ian M. Barnes - Kirkland WA, US
Nestor Voronka - Seattle WA, US
Robert Hoyt - Kirkland WA, US
Jeffrey Thor Slostad - Lynnwood WA, US

Assignee:

Tethers Unlimited, Inc. - Bothell WA

International Classification:

B64G 1/22
B64G 1/10

US Classification:

2441586

Abstract:

A deorbit device comprising a passive electrodynamic conductive tape connected at one end to a spacecraft.

US Patent:

6260807, Jul 17, 2001

Filed:

Sep 8, 2000

Appl. No.:

9/658513

Inventors:

Robert P. Hoyt - Seattle WA
Robert L. Forward - Clinton WA

International Classification:

B64G 900

US Classification:

244172

Abstract:

A tether having the special technical feature of multiple primary load-bearing lines and normally slack secondary lines. These primary and secondary lines are connected together with knotless, slipless interconnections so the tether maintains high strength and some of the lines can be cut without failure of the tether when it is operated near the ultimate failure load of the material from which it is constructed. This tether can safely carry load hundreds of times longer than prior art tethers in harsh environments where a single-line tether experiences a substantial risk of failure. The specific industrial applications of an electrodynamic tether system to deorbit satellites and a low Earth orbit to lunar surface tether transport system are all part of the general innovative concept of the invention.

US Patent:

62901869, Sep 18, 2001

Filed:

Sep 8, 2000

Appl. No.:

9/657418

Inventors:

Robert P. Hoyt - Seattle WA
Robert L. Forward - Clinton WA

International Classification:

B64G 900

US Classification:

244172

Abstract:

A tether having the special technical feature of multiple primary load-bearing lines and normally slack secondary lines. These primary and secondary lines are connected together with knotless, slipless interconnections so the tether maintains high strength and some of the lines can be cut without failure of the tether when it is operated near the ultimate failure load of the material from which it is constructed. This tether can safely carry load hundreds of times longer than prior art tethers in harsh environments where a single-line tether experiences a substantial risk of failure. The specific industrial applications of an electrodynamic tether system to deorbit satellites and a low Earth orbit to lunar surface tether transport system are all part of the general innovative concept of the invention.

US Patent:

62867881, Sep 11, 2001

Filed:

Sep 8, 2000

Appl. No.:

9/658510

Inventors:

Robert P. Hoyt - Seattle WA
Robert L. Forward - Clinton WA

International Classification:

B64G 900

US Classification:

244172

Abstract:

A tether having the special technical feature of multiple primary load-bearing lines and normally slack secondary lines. These primary and secondary lines are connected together with knotless, slipless interconnections so the tether maintains high strength and some of the lines can be cut without failure of the tether when it is operated near the ultimate failure load of the material from which it is constructed. This tether can safely carry load hundreds of times longer than prior art tethers in harsh environments where a single-line tether experiences a substantial risk of failure. The specific industrial applications of an electrodynamic tether system to deorbit satellites and a low Earth orbit to lunar surface tether transport system are all part of the general innovative concept of the invention.

US Patent:

61739227, Jan 16, 2001

Filed:

Oct 22, 1999

Appl. No.:

9/403033

Inventors:

Robert P. Hoyt - Seattle WA
Robert L. Forward - Clinton WA

International Classification:

B64G 900

US Classification:

244172

Abstract:

A tether (FIG. 6) having the special technical feature of multiple primary load-bearing lines (601,603) and normally slack secondary lines (605, 603). These primary and secondary lines are connected together with knotless, slipless interconnections so the tether maintains high strength and some of the lines can be cut without failure of the tether when it is operated near the ultimate failure load of the material from which it is constructed. This tether can safely carry (FIG. 31) load hundreds of times longer than prior art tethers in harsh environments where a single-line tether experiences a substantial risk of failure. The specific industrial applications of an electrodynamic tether system to deorbit satellites and a low Earth orbit to lunar surface tether transport system are all part of the general innovative concept of the invention.