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US 12,703,514 B2Granted
Multifunctional structures for attitude control
AssigneeThe Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois
InventorsVedant, James T. Allison
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A structure for changing the attitude of a spacecraft is provided including an elongated member and a plurality of actuators coupled to the elongated member. The elongated member is coupled to the spacecraft. The elongated member has a length and an angular position relative to an axis. The plurality of actuators are configured to deflect the angular position of the elongated member relative to the axis and to alter the length of the elongated member.
Claims20
A structure for changing an attitude of a spacecraft, comprising:
- an elongated member coupled to the spacecraft, the elongated member having a length and an angular position relative to an axis passing through the spacecraft;
- and
- at least one actuator coupled to the elongated member,
- wherein the at least one actuator is configured to deflect the angular position of the elongated member relative to the axis, and to alter the length of the elongated member, wherein the deflection of the angular position of the elongated member relative to the axis and the alteration of the length of the elongated member together move the spacecraft though a rotation cycle, and wherein the rotation cycle results in a secular angular change of the spacecraft.
1 more element
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.