Back to results
US 12,617,558 B2Granted
Tram systems for space vehicles
AssigneeThe Aerospace Corporation
InventorDonald Wayne Denham
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Tram systems for space vehicles are movable thereon. When the space vehicle is a nested ring cell, for example, the structural ring portion of the design may be mostly or completely passive and contain conducting parts, such as electrical steel. The moving trams may use field coils instead of magnets to generate the magnetic flux to propel the tram. Additional coils on the tram may steer the magnetic flux to generate the forward or reverse thrust forces. These coils may also add the overall motive flux.
Claims27
A movable tram for a space vehicle, comprising:
- control electronics configured to control operation of the movable tram, wherein
- the movable tram comprises a motive side and a connecting side,
- the movable tram is configured to move along at least a portion of a track on an exterior of the space vehicle via the motive side,
- the movable tram is configured to make connections to electrical tracks embedded in the track of the space vehicle, and
- the movable tram is configured to:
- connect the connecting side of the movable tram to at least one other space vehicle, at least one other tram of another space vehicle, or both,
- provide data, fuel, heat, or any combination thereof, to at least one other space vehicle,
- act as a support structure that holds external components that can be articulated, or
- any combination of the above.
6 more elements
A movable tram, comprising:
- a primary coil;
- a plurality of armature teeth;
- respective motor coils wound around the plurality of armature teeth on an end of the armature teeth closest to a conducting track;
- and
- control electronics configured to perform motor commutation and control operation of the movable tram, wherein
- the movable tram is a component of a space vehicle, and
- the conducting track is on an exterior of the space vehicle.
4 more elements
A movable tram, comprising:
- a primary coil;
- a plurality of armature teeth;
- respective motor coils wound around the plurality of armature teeth on an end of the armature teeth closest to a conducting track;
- control electronics configured to perform motor commutation and control operation of the movable tram;
- and
- a mechanical system configured to hold the tram on the conducting track when the primary coil and the motor coils are not powered on, wherein
- the movable tram is a component of a space vehicle, and
- the conducting track is on an exterior of the space vehicle.
5 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.