Device, system and method for attitude control
AssigneeIsrael Aerospace Industries Ltd.
InventorDov VERBIN
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A control moment gyroscope (CMG) is provided, selectively having a first spatial configuration and a second spatial configuration at least during operation of the CMG. In the first spatial configuration the CMG occupies a smaller volume than in the second spatial configuration. For example, in the first spatial configuration no part of the CMG projects beyond a predetermined geometrical boundary, while in the second spatial configuration, a portion of the CMG projects beyond the geometrical boundary.
Claims21
1-46. (canceled)
A control moment gyroscope (CMG) configured for selectively and alternately providing a first spatial configuration and a second spatial configuration at least during operation of the CMG, the CMG comprising:
- a variable external envelope enclosing a variable volume;
- wherein in said first spatial configuration, said variable volume is smaller than in said second spatial configuration;
- wherein in said first spatial configuration, no part of said CMG projects beyond a predetermined geometrical boundary;
- wherein in said first spatial configuration, said CMG occupies a smaller volume than in said second spatial configuration;
- and
- wherein in said second spatial configuration, a portion of said CMG projects beyond said predetermined geometrical boundary.
A vehicle, comprising:
- an external geometrical envelope;
- and
- at least one control moment gyroscope (CMG) configured for selectively and alternately providing a first spatial configuration and a second spatial configuration at least during operation of the at least one CMG, the at least one CMG including a variable external envelope enclosing a variable volume;
- wherein in said first spatial configuration, said variable volume is smaller than in said second spatial configuration;
- wherein in said first spatial configuration, no part of said at least one CMG projects beyond said external geometrical envelope;
- wherein in said first spatial configuration, said at least one CMG occupies a smaller volume than in said second spatial configuration;
- and
- wherein in said second spatial configuration, a portion of said at least one CMG projects beyond said external geometrical envelope.
The method according to clam 65, wherein the ACS is operated to provide at least one of:
- smooth control of a line of sight (LOS) of the vehicle with respect to the surface of the Earth;
- attitude maneuvering for the vehicle with respect to two orthogonal spatial axes;
- or
- attitude maneuvering for the vehicle with respect to three orthogonal spatial axes.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.