Electrodynamic tether and method of use
US6116544A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Sep 12, 1997 |
| Grant date | Sep 12, 2000 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 12, 2017 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB64G1/242
- WIPO fieldTransport
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
The present invention comprises an electrodynamic tether structure and a method of use. The structure of the tether taught by the present invention is a short, wide, interconnected multiwire (compared to the long, narrow single wires of the prior art) conductive tether whose area maximizes electrodynamic drag while simultaneously minimizing the Area-Time-Product swept by the tether during its operating life. The preferred tether length is two kilometers to five kilometers. The preferred tether mass is one percent to five percent of the spacecraft mass. The method of operation comprises orienting the tether structure at an angle to the local vertical to maximize electrodynamic drag on the host spacecraft and minimize tether instability. The angle of 35.26 degrees is preferred.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.