# US 11,305,896 B1 · System and methods for deploying payloads

> Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt

- Number: US 11,305,896 B1
- Document ID: US11305896B1
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B1
- Application number: 16/005,657
- Filed: 2018-06-11
- Granted: 2022-04-19
- Earliest claimed: 2013-03-14
- Assignees: United States of America as represented by the Administrator of NASA
- Applicants: United States of America as Represented by the Administrator of the NASA
- Inventors: Shakib M. Ghassemieh; Robert D. Ricks; Charles R. Friedericks; Nghia Mai; John W. Hines; Lee S. Brownston; Shannon S. Ross
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11305896B1

## CPC

- B64G 1/00: Cosmonautic vehicles
- B64G 1/428: {Power distribution and management}
- B64G 1/64: Systems for coupling or separating cosmonautic vehicles or parts thereof, e.g. docking arrangements
- B64G 1/644: {arranged for independent deployment}
- B64G 1/002: {Launch systems}
- B64G: COSMONAUTICS; VEHICLES OR EQUIPMENT THEREFOR

## Abstract

Embodiments of the present invention include systems for launching primary or secondary payloads or actuating other launch vehicle or payload or instrumentation devices. The system includes an adapter assembly and at least one sequencer mounted to the adapter assembly. The sequencer includes: controller boards, each of the controller boards having a controller for controlling deployment of the payloads and data files; output ports coupled to the controller boards and configured to transmit signals from the controller boards to dispensers therethrough, deployment mechanisms containing the payloads, the adapter assembly having channels for accommodating the dispensers; and a detector coupled to the controller boards and adapted to detect an external signal and, in response to the external signal, to send an initiation signal to the controller boards. The system also includes at least one power supply coupled to the sequencer and adapted to provide an electrical power to the sequencer.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A method of operating a sequencer for deploying one or more payloads, comprising:
(a) detecting an operating environment to determine a mode of operation;
(b) determining that the mode of operation is a FLIGHT mode;
(c) if the determination in step (b) is positive, disabling non-flight functions and performing an operation to deploy the one or more payloads without interruption, and
(d) if the determination in step (b) is negative, determining whether the mode is a SEQUENCE LOADING & COMMUNICATIONS mode,
(e) if the determination in step (d) is positive, allowing a user to set a deployment sequence of the one or more payloads using a graphical user interface, and
(f) if the determination in step (d) is negative, performing the operation to deploy the one or more payloads until an interruption signal is received for flight testing and preparation capabilities.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

A method as recited in claim 1, wherein the step of performing the operation to deploy the payloads includes:
checking integrity of files stored in the sequencer; and
sending a signal to a dispenser to thereby deploy one of the payloads carried by the dispenser.

### Claim 3 (depends on 2)

A method as recited in claim 2, further comprising, prior to the step of checking integrity of files:
entering a low power mode to thereby save electrical power stored in a battery.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

A method as recited in claim 1, wherein the signal is initiated by a launch vehicle that carries the sequencer.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

A method as recited in claim 1, wherein the graphical user interface communicates with the sequencer and allows the user to select different modes of the sequencer.