Momentum wheels and reaction wheels for objects in space
US11738888B2 · kind B2 · utility
1Cited by
7References
21Claims
0Family size
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 16, 2022 |
| Grant date | Aug 29, 2023 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 16, 2042 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB64G1/66
- WIPO fieldTransport
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A spacecraft has a flat antenna array having an edge and a middle portion. A reconfigurable reaction-momentum wheel is coupled to the antenna array to roll and/or pitch the antenna array in small magnitudes. The reconfigurable reaction-momentum has a reaction operating state or mode (high-torque, low momentum) and a momentum operating state or mode (low-torque, high momentum). A thruster is coupled to the antenna array to move the antenna array.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.