Power sphere nanosatellite
AssigneeThe Aerospace Corporation
InventorsEdward J. Simburger, David A. Hinkley, Ernest Y. Robinson, David G. Gilmore, Jon V. Osborn
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A power sphere preferably used as part of a nanosatellite is formed using a plurality of flat panels solar arrays interconnected together by rotating hinges to approximate a spherical shape for use as an enclosure of a payload. The solar array panels are supported by an extending internal strut. The spherical shape provides attitude insensitive solar energy collection and heat radiation.
Claims16
An enclosure having a curved exterior surface, the enclosure comprising,
- a strut having an end,
- a flat cap panel attached to the end of the strut, the cap panel being polygonal in shape and having one or more hinges at a respective one or more sides of the flat cap panel, and
- a set of flat polygonal panels each having at least one hinge on at least one respective side, the set of flat polygonal panels and the first cap polygonal panel forming the curved exterior surface.
An enclosure having a spherical curved surface, the enclosure comprising,
- a strut having a distal end and a proximal end,
- a first flat cap panel attached to the distal end of the strut, the first cap panel being polygonal in shape and having a plurality of hinges at each side of the first flat cap panel,
- a second flat cap panel attached to the proximal end of the strut, the second cap panel being polygonal in shape and having a plurality of hinges at each side of the second flat cap panel,
- a first set of flat polygonal panels each having at least one hinge on at least one respective side, the first set of flat polygonal panels and the first cap polygonal panel forming a first hemisphere of panels, and
- a second set of flat polygonal panels each having at least one hinge on at least one respective side, the second set of flat polygonal panels and the second cap polygonal panel forming a second hemisphere of panels, the first and second hemisphere of panels approximating a sphere.
A spacecraft, the spacecraft comprising,
- a payload,
- a first strut attached to the payload, the first strut having a first proximal end attached to the payload and having a first distal end extending from the payload,
- a second strut attached to the payload, the second strut having a second proximal end attached to the payload and having a second distal end extending from the payload,
- a first flat cap panel attached to the first distal end, the first cap panel being polygonal in shape and having a plurality of hinges at each side of the first flat cap panel,
- a second flat cap panel attached to the second distal end, the second cap panel being polygonal in shape and having a plurality of hinges at each side of the second flat cap panel,
- a first set of flat polygonal panels each having at least one hinge on at least one respective side, the first set of flat polygonal panels and the first cap polygonal panel forming a first hemisphere of panels,
- a second set of flat polygonal panels each having at least one hinge on at least one respective side, the second set of flat polygonal panels and the second cap polygonal panel forming a second hemisphere of panels, the first and second hemisphere of panels approximating a sphere.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.