Satellite boom end effector
US12246857B2 · kind B2 · utility
0Cited by
2References
18Claims
0Family size
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 29, 2022 |
| Grant date | Mar 11, 2025 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 31, 2042 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB64G2004/005
- WIPO fieldTransport
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
An orbital satellite has a pair of multi-axis booms including both thrusters for course/attitude adjustment and an end effector for grappling payloads and manipulating other tools and objects. The satellite may launch with a primary payload affixed to a bus and one or more secondary payloads affixed to an ESPA ring. Once in orbit, the end effector may be used to grapple the primary and/or secondary payloads and rearrange them on the bus. In further aspects, the end effector may be used to make bus repairs or take measurements, or hold tools that are used to make bus repairs or take measurements.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.