Small scale reaction wheel assemblies
US10023327B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 27, 2016 |
| Grant date | Jul 17, 2018 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 11, 2036 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01C19/18
- WIPO fieldMechanical elements
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
Reaction wheel assemblies having relatively compact and lightweight form factors (referred to as “small scale” RWAs) are disclosed. Such small scale RWAs are well-suited for deployment onboard relatively small satellites, but are not restricted to usage within any particular device or platform. In one embodiment, the small scale RWA includes a primary support platform to which a rotor is coupled for rotation about a spin axis. An axially-expanded face-to-face (DF) duplex bearing pair is disposed between the rotor shaft and the support platform. The DF duplex bearing pair includes first and second rolling element bearings positioned around an intermediate portion of the rotor shaft. The first and second rolling element bearings have first and second bearing load lines, respectively, which are spaced by a tailored bearing load line separation (SLL).
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.