Patent · US Expired

Optimal solar tracking system

US5816540A · kind A · utility

16Cited by
5References
20Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateDec 22, 1995
Grant dateOct 6, 1998
Priority date
Expiry dateDec 22, 2015

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
  • CPC primaryB64G1/369
  • WIPO fieldTransport
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

A spacecraft traveling in a volume of space receiving radiation from the sun and encountering an undesired force. The spacecraft has a solar panel movably attached to said spacecraft. The spacecraft further includes a solar panel controller which controls the movement of the solar panel, wherein the controller moves the solar panel in a time modulated manner so that a torque is generated which compensates for the undesired force.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.