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US 12,263,962 B2Granted
Momentum wheels and reaction wheels for objects in space
AssigneeAST & Science, LLC
InventorsDarko Filipi, Abel Avellan, William E. Bialke, Daniele Addari, Darren J. Zanon, Adam H. Halperin, Huiwen Yao
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A spacecraft has a flat antenna array having an edge and a middle portion. A reconfigurable reaction-momentum wheel is coupled to the antenna array to roll and/or pitch the antenna array in small magnitudes. The reconfigurable reaction-momentum has a reaction operating state or mode (high-torque, low momentum) and a momentum operating state or mode (low-torque, high momentum). A thruster is coupled to the antenna array to move the antenna array.
Claims20
A spacecraft comprising:
- an antenna element;
- one or more wheels each configured to provide torque to the antenna element, wherein each wheel of the one or more wheels is aligned with at least two planes of a three-dimensional plane relative to the spacecraft;
- and
- one or more processors configured to control operating modes of the one or more wheels by changing windings of the one or more wheels, wherein the operating modes comprise a first operating mode that provides a first amount of torque to the antenna element and a second operating mode that provides a second amount of torque to the antenna element greater than the first amount of torque.
1 more element
A spacecraft comprising:
- a support member coupled to the spacecraft, wherein the support member comprises a pyramid shape including triangular side surfaces;
- and
- a plurality of wheels that are each configured to provide torque to the spacecraft, wherein each wheel of the plurality of wheels is located on a corresponding triangular side surface of the support member;
- and
- one or more processors configured to control operating modes of the one or more wheels by changing windings of the one or more wheels, wherein the operating modes comprise a first operating mode that provides a first amount of torque to the antenna element and a second operating mode that provides a second amount of torque to the antenna element that is greater than the first amount of torque.
2 more elements
A spacecraft comprising:
- a plurality of support members coupled to the spacecraft, wherein the plurality of support members is configured in a pyramid shape, wherein each support member of the plurality of support members provides a triangular side surface of the pyramid shape;
- a plurality of wheels that are each configured to provide torque to the spacecraft, wherein each wheel of the one or more wheels is located on a corresponding triangular side surface of the pyramid shape;
- and
- one or more processors configured to control operating modes of the one or more wheels by changing windings of the one or more wheels, wherein the operating modes comprise a first operating mode that provides attitude changes and a second operating mode that provides a second torque to the antenna element that is greater than the first torque.
1 more element
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.