Compact flexible cardan joint and spacecraft comprising such a joint
US9212692B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 12, 2011 |
| Grant date | Dec 15, 2015 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jul 25, 2032 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10T403/45
- WIPO fieldMechanical elements
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A flexible cardan joint comprises a hollow central longitudinal axis, two hollow pivots mounted orthogonally relative to one another and capable of pivoting respectively about a rotation axis, three axes being mutually orthogonal and intersecting at a point of rotation situated at the center of the cardan joint. Each pivot comprises an annular outer frame extending along a plane containing the central longitudinal axis Z and orthogonal to the rotation axis, a hollow inner ring coaxial to the outer frame and a plurality of sets of flexible blades linked to the outer frame and to the inner ring, and the two pivots are linked together by rigid link parts.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.