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US 12,706,560 B2Granted
System for tracking solar energy
AssigneeAST & Science, LLC
InventorsAdam H. Halperin, Raymond J. Sedwick
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An antenna system is configured for use in Low Earth Orbit (LEO) around Earth. The system has a plurality of antenna satellites coupled together to form a phased array. Each of the plurality of antenna satellites have an antenna body with an antenna and a solar cell. A processing device determines an orientation of the plurality of antenna satellites and position the phased array in the orientation based on an analysis of the solar cell of the antenna bodies facing the sun, the antenna of the antenna bodies facing the Earth, and maintaining a torque equilibrium of the phased array.
Claims17
An antenna system comprising:
- a plurality of antenna assemblies coupled together to form a flat phased array, wherein a first surface of the flat phased array comprises a plurality of solar cells and a second surface of the flat phased array comprises a plurality of antennas, the second surface different than the first surface;
- and
- processing circuitry configured to:
- determine, based on a position of the first surface of the flat phased array relative to a Sun or a position of the second surface of the flat phased array relative to Earth, a desired orientation of the flat phased array, wherein the desired orientation comprises a desired angle to maintain the flat phased array such that a gyroscopic torque exerted on the flat phased array when oriented in the desired angle counterbalances with a gravity gradient torque acting on the flat phased array when oriented in the desired angle,
- determine a spin rate to maintain the flat phased array in the desired angle;
- and
- control one or more actuators, based on the determined spin rate, to exert the gyroscopic torque on the flat phased array to maintain the flat phased array in the desired angle.
4 more elements
A method comprising:
- determining, by processing circuitry of an antenna system comprising a plurality of antenna assemblies coupled to form a flat phased array, a desired orientation of the flat phased array, wherein the desired orientation comprises a desired angle to maintain the flat phased array such that a gyroscopic torque exerted on the flat phased array when oriented in the desired angle counterbalances with a gravity gradient torque acting on the flat phased array when oriented in the desired angle,
- wherein a first surface of the flat phased array comprises a plurality of solar cells and a second surface of the flat phased array comprises a plurality of antennas, the second surface different than the first surface, and
- wherein determining the desired orientation is based on a position of the first surface of a phased array relative to a Sun or a position of the second surface of the phased array relative to Earth;
- determine a spin rate to maintain the flat phased array in the desired angle;
- and
- controlling, by the processing circuitry of the antenna system, one or more actuators, based on the determined spin rate, to exert the gyroscopic torque on the flat phased array to maintain the flat phased array in the desired angle.
3 more elements
A computing device, comprising:
- memory;
- and
- one or more processors coupled to the memory and configured to:
- determine a desired orientation of a plurality of antenna assemblies coupled to form a flat phased array, wherein the desired orientation comprises a desired angle to maintain the flat phased array such that a gyroscopic torque exerted on the flat phased array when oriented in the desired angle counterbalances with a gravity gradient torque acting on the flat phased array when oriented in the desired angle,
- wherein a first surface of the flat phased array comprises a plurality of solar cells and a second surface of the flat phased array comprises a plurality of antennas, the second surface different than the first surface;
- wherein the desired orientation is determined based on a position of the first surface of a phased array relative to a Sun or a position of the second surface of the phased array relative to Earth;
- determine a spin rate to maintain the flat phased array in the desired angle;
- and
- control one or more actuators, based on the determined spin rate, to exert the gyroscopic torque on the flat phased array to maintain the flat phased array in the desired angle.
6 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.