Method and apparatus for optical nutation sensing
US4802767A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Jul 2, 1986 |
| Grant date | Feb 7, 1989 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jul 2, 2006 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01C19/72
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
An optical nutation sensing method and apparatus is provided which is functional at low spin rates and during thruster firings while being relatively insensitive to spacecraft flexures. The advantageous operation of the present invention is afforded by provision of first and second beams of coherent light energy in opposite directions into a coil of optic fiber or other suitable means for restraining the path thereof. The coil lies in a plane normal to the transverse angular momentum vector. The beams are combined at the output ends of the coil in such a way as to create an interference pattern which varies as the satellite nutates. The variation in the interference pattern is detected by photodetector circuitry to provide an output signal representative of the nutation.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.