US3697968A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Dual purpose momentum wheels for spacecraft with magnetic recording
Assignee: National Aeronautics and Space Administration
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Filing: 1971-04-16
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Granted: 1972-10-10
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Expires: 1991-04-16
Abstract
Abstract A dual purpose momentum wheel apparatus is disclosed in which a conventional momentum wheel, normally utilized for altitude stabilization of spacecraft, has been modified to function as a memory system for the storage of scientific data. The momentum wheel apparatus comprises a rotary motor mounted within a hermetically sealed drum. A momentum wheel is mounted on the motor and is adapted to rotate adjacent the interior surface of the drum. The outer periphery of the momentum wheel is coated with a magnetic material, while a plurality of read-write heads are adjustably mounted on the interior of the drum in close proximity to the magnetic periphery of the momentum wheel.
Inventors
- 👤 Narsingh Deo
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 18:27
CPC Classifications
G; G11; G11B; G11B5/00; G11B5/74; G11B5/76; B; B64; B64G; B64G1/00; B64G1/22; B64G1/24; B64G1/28; B64G1/285; G11B5/004; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T74/00; Y10T74/12; Y10T74/1218
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
87 words
In a momentum wheel apparatus mounted for rotation to generate inertial forces for controlling the attitude of a vehicle, the improvement comprising an outer peripheral wheel surface having a coating of recording magnetic material for receiving and storing data; means positioned adjacent said outer peripheral wheel surface for recording data onto said coating of recording magnetic material and for removing data from said coating of recording magnetic material and means for controlling the operation of the recording means in response to the speed of the momentum wheel.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
87 words
In a momentum wheel apparatus mounted for rotation to generate inertial forces for controlling the attitude of a vehicle, the improvement comprising an outer peripheral wheel surface having a coating of recording magnetic material for receiving and storing data; means positioned adjacent said outer peripheral wheel surface for recording data onto said coating of recording magnetic material and for removing data from said coating of recording magnetic material and means for controlling the operation of the recording means in response to the speed of the momentum wheel.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
69 words
In a momentum wheel apparatus mounted for rotation to generate inertial forces for controlling the attitude of a vehicle, the improvement comprising an outer peripheral wheel surface having a coating of recording magnetic material for receiving and storing data and means positioned adjacent said outer peripheral wheel surface for recording data onto said coating of recording magnetic material and for removing data from said coating of recording magnetic material.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
69 words
In a momentum wheel apparatus mounted for rotation to generate inertial forces for controlling the attitude of a vehicle, the improvement comprising an outer peripheral wheel surface having a coating of recording magnetic material for receiving and storing data and means positioned adjacent said outer peripheral wheel surface for recording data onto said coating of recording magnetic material and for removing data from said coating of recording magnetic material.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
32 words
The invention of claim 1 wherein said apparatus further comprises a drum extending over said wheel, with the interior surface of said drum being adjacent the outer peripheral surface of said wheel.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
32 words
The invention of claim 3 wherein said recording means comprises a plurality of read-write heads mounted on the interior surface of said drum and clock tracks are provided on the wheel surface.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
42 words
The invention of claim 4 wherein said apparatus furTher comprises means for adjustably supporting said read-write heads to enable the distance between the read-write heads and the outer periphery of the wheel to be varied and means for hermetically sealing said drum.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
17 words
The invention of claim 3 wherein said wheel comprises an electric motor concentrically mounted in said drum.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
21 words
The invention of claim 6 wherein said electric motor comprises a stator and a rotor adapted to rotate about said stator.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
35 words
The invention of claim 7 wherein said wheel further comprises a cylinder mounted on the outer periphery of said rotor, the outer surface of said cylinder having the coating of recording magnetic material formed thereon.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
23 words
The invention of claim 5 wherein said adjustable support means comprises a servo motor eccentrically connected to a bar supporting the read-write head.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
19 words
The invention of claim 9 wherein said servo motor comprises control means responsive to the speed of said wheel.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-10-10 | 1976-04-10 | 1976-10-10 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-10-10 | 1980-04-10 | 1980-10-10 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-10-10 | 1984-04-10 | 1984-10-10 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |