# US 7,607,616 B2 · Docking device

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

- Number: US 7,607,616 B2
- Document ID: US7607616B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 11/564,394
- Filed: 2006-11-29
- Published: 2008-05-29
- Granted: 2009-10-27
- Earliest claimed: 2006-11-29
- Assignees: The Boeing Company
- Inventors: Mark A. Lundgren
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US7607616B2

## CPC

- B64G 1/6462: {characterised by the means for engaging other vehicles}
- B64G: COSMONAUTICS; VEHICLES OR EQUIPMENT THEREFOR

## Abstract

A docking target indicator for a docking device is provided. The docking target indicator comprises a base layer, having a rear surface and a front surface; wherein the front surface of the base layer is reflective; and a baffle structure is secured to the base layer.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A docking target indicator comprising:
a base layer, having a rear surface and a front surface; wherein the front surface of the base layer is reflective; and
a baffle structure secured to the front surface of the base layer; wherein the baffle structure is (i) a conical baffle structure formed of concentric conical segments of increasing diameter with respect to a center of the conical baffle structure, or (ii) a pyramidal baffle structure formed of rectangular segments of increasing dimension with respect to a center of the pyramidal structure.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The docking target indicator of claim 1, wherein the baffle structure is a conical structure formed of concentric conical segments of increasing angle with respect to a center of the conical structure.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The docking target of claim 1, wherein the baffle structure is formed of columns and rows of vanes with increasing tilt.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The docking target of claim 1, wherein the base layer is formed of material selected from a group comprising of aluminum, nickel, copper, ceramic or plastic.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The docking target indicator of claim 1, wherein a reflective material is coated on the front surface.

### Claim 6 (depends on 5)

The docking target indicator of claim 5, wherein the reflective material includes a series of concentric rings of reflective material.

### Claim 7 (depends on 5)

The docking target indicator of claim 5, wherein the reflective material includes a series of rectangular segments.

### Claim 8 (depends on 5)

The docking target of claim 5, wherein the reflective material is gold or ground-up semiconductor.

### Claim 9 (depends on 1)

The docking target indicator of claim 1, wherein the baffle structure includes an optically black material.

### Claim 10 (depends on 1)

The docking target indicator of claim 1, wherein the baffle structure includes aluminum with black anodic coating thereon.

### Claim 11

A docking target for a docking device comprising:
a docking target indicator having a base layer with a rear surface and a front surface; wherein the front surface of the base layer is reflective; and a baffle structure is secured to the front surface of the base layer, wherein the baffle structure is (i) a conical baffle structure formed of concentric conical segments of increasing diameter with respect to a center of the conical baffle structure, or (ii) a pyramidal baffle structure formed of rectangular segments of increasing dimension with respect to a center of the pyramidal structure.

### Claim 12 (depends on 11)

The docking target of claim 11, wherein the baffle structure is a conical structure formed of concentric conical segments of increasing angle with respect to a center of the conical structure.

### Claim 13 (depends on 11)

The docking target of claim 11, wherein the baffle structure is formed of columns and rows of vanes with increasing tilt.

### Claim 14 (depends on 11)

The docking target of claim 11, wherein the base layer is formed of material selected from the groups comprising of aluminum, nickel, copper, ceramic or plastic.

### Claim 15 (depends on 11)

The docking target of claim 11, wherein a reflective material is coated on the front surface.

### Claim 16 (depends on 15)

The docking target indicator of claim 15, wherein the reflective material includes a series of concentric rings of reflective material.

### Claim 17 (depends on 15)

The docking target indicator of claim 15, wherein the reflective material includes a series of rectangular segments of reflective material.

### Claim 18 (depends on 15)

The docking target of claim 15, wherein the reflective material is gold or ground-up semiconductor.

### Claim 19 (depends on 11)

The docking target of claim 11, wherein the baffle structure includes an optically black material.

### Claim 20 (depends on 11)

The docking target of claim 11, wherein the baffle structure includes aluminum with black anodic coating thereon.

### Claim 21 (depends on 11)

The docking target of claim 11, wherein the docking target is used on a spacecraft.