Minimum energy wheel configurations for energy storage and attitude control
US6682019B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 4, 2002 |
| Grant date | Jan 27, 2004 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 4, 2022 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB64G1/426
- WIPO fieldTransport
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A satellite energy and attitude control system includes a first energy wheel, a second energy wheel and a third energy wheel. The first energy wheel is mounted in a first double gimbal and the second energy wheel is mounted in a second double gimbal. The third energy wheel is mounted in a third double gimbal and the first, second and third energy wheels, which have at least two degrees of motion orthogonal to their respective spin axes, are located within a single plane and positioned with respect to each other such that the total angular momentum provided by the first, second and third energy wheels sums to zero approximate an operational range center of the gimbals.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.