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US 12,534,225 B1Granted
Satellite dispensing system
AssigneeBlue Origin, LLC
InventorsEric Eckstein, Brian Allen Cyb
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Stacked satellite dispensing systems are described herein. The disclosed systems can release individual satellites or small batches of satellites from a satellite stack in a controlled manner. Dispensing individual satellites at different locations in space can more evenly dispense satellites or to dispense satellites at distinct locations. A deployment system, including a motor, a cable, and spacers, can allow for the individual satellites to be deployed from the satellite stack. The disclosed satellite dispensing systems also include spacers that are positioned between two or more satellites to help attenuate the force of the mass of satellites stacked above.
Claims22
A satellite dispensing system, comprising:
- vertical structural channels each having a length extending from a base to an open output end, each of the vertical structural channels configured to slidably interface with a protruding portion of a satellite;
- structural bracing which supports the vertical structural channels against lateral loads;
- a cable pulley respectively associated with each of the vertical structural channels, the cable pulley configured to mechanically interface with the satellite, and the cable pulley respectively configured to direct a portion of cable through each of the vertical structural channels;
- at least one spacer coupled to the portion of cable and each of the at least one spacer is configured to interface with the protruding portion of the satellite;
- and
- motors responsive to a command to dispense the satellite by respectively driving the cable pulleys and the at least one spacer in a direction that lifts the satellite upward along the vertical structural channels until the satellite is driven past the open output end of the vertical structural channels.
3 more elements
A satellite dispensing system, comprising:
- a channel having a length extending from a base to an output;
- multiple satellites positioned within the channel, each of the multiple satellites including a protruding appendage;
- a spacer positioned between two of the multiple satellites;
- a dispensing element extending along the length of the channel and structured to cause the multiple satellites to move in a direction towards the output of the channel, wherein
- the two of the multiple satellites are coupled via the spacer to the dispensing element and moveable with the dispensing element and the spacer along the length of the channel from the base to the output,
- the spacer is connected to the dispensing element, and
- the spacer is configured to interface with each of the protruding appendage of the two of the multiple satellites;
- and
- a pulley configured to direct a portion of the dispensing element through the channel.
6 more elements
A satellite dispensing system, comprising:
- an array of vertical structural channels having a length extending from a base to an open output end, wherein a first group of the vertical structural channels is/are placed along a perimeter, and a second group of the vertical structural channels is/are placed along a central axis of the array of vertical structural channels;
- parallel satellite columns configured to contain and interface with stacks of satellites such that protruding appendages of each satellite mechanically interface with the first group of the vertical structural channels and the second group of the vertical structural channels;
- structural bracing that supports the vertical structural channels against lateral loads;
- cable pulleys respectively positioned proximal to the open output end of each of the vertical structural channels and configured to mechanically interface with each satellite, each of the cable pulleys respectively configured to direct a portion of cable through each of the vertical structural channels;
- a spacer coupled to the portion of cable in one of the vertical structural channels, wherein the spacer is configured to interface with the protruding appendages of two adjacent satellites of the stack of satellites in the one of the vertical structural channels;
- and
- a motors configured to drive one of the cable pulleys and the spacer in a direction that lifts the two adjacent satellites in the one of the vertical structural channels upward along the one of the vertical structural channels until the two adjacent satellites are driven free, past the open output end of the one of the vertical structural channels.
4 more elements
A method of dispensing satellites, comprising:
- positioning multiple satellites within a channel, the channel having a length extending from a base to an output, wherein each of the multiple satellites includes a protruding appendage;
- arranging a pulley-activated cable to be within the channel;
- arranging a channel interface that mechanically interfaces with each of the multiple satellites via the protruding appendage to engage the multiple satellites with the channel;
- placing a spacer, which is attached to the pulley-activated cable, between two of the multiple satellites, wherein the spacer is configured to interface with the protruding appendage of each of the two of the multiple satellites;
- and
- operating a motor to dispense the multiple satellites by driving the pulley-activated cable and the spacer in a direction toward the output of the channel.
3 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.