Patent US3709447A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3709447A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Modular satellite
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1970-07-29
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Granted: 1973-01-09
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Expires: 1990-07-29
Abstract
Abstract A satellite apparatus is provided whereby a plurality of experiments may be monitored in a single satellite for a plurality of different organizations. The satellite has modular casings for placement on a frame and adapted to place experimental components therein with instrumentation facing a centrally located scanner which transmits data on the experiments to a receiving station.
Inventors
- 👤 W Devlin
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 03:55
CPC Classifications
B; B64; B64G; B64G1/00; B64G1/10; B64G1/12; B64G1/22; B64G1/223
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
185 words
A satellite apparatus comprising in combination; a. a satellite frame; b. a plurality of experiment modules attached to said satellite frame, each said experiment module having a modular case for accepting components for experiments therein with each said case forming an integral part of said satellite when attached to said frame, and each said experiment module having an instrument side thereon; c. scanning means for scanning the instrument side of each said experiment module, said scanning means being located so as to be partially surrounded by said experiment modules and being rotatably attached to said satellite for rotation therein; d. command means for actuation of said scanning means on predetermined commands; e. camera means for receiving optical images from said scanning means and converting said optical images to signals for transmission; f. transmission means connected to said camera means for transmitting the signals of said scanned experiment modules generated by said camera means to a ground station receiving means; and g. a power source for providing electrical power to said transmission means whereby a plurality of experiments may be transmitted to a receiving ground station.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
185 words
A satellite apparatus comprising in combination; a. a satellite frame; b. a plurality of experiment modules attached to said satellite frame, each said experiment module having a modular case for accepting components for experiments therein with each said case forming an integral part of said satellite when attached to said frame, and each said experiment module having an instrument side thereon; c. scanning means for scanning the instrument side of each said experiment module, said scanning means being located so as to be partially surrounded by said experiment modules and being rotatably attached to said satellite for rotation therein; d. command means for actuation of said scanning means on predetermined commands; e. camera means for receiving optical images from said scanning means and converting said optical images to signals for transmission; f. transmission means connected to said camera means for transmitting the signals of said scanned experiment modules generated by said camera means to a ground station receiving means; and g. a power source for providing electrical power to said transmission means whereby a plurality of experiments may be transmitted to a receiving ground station.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
43 words
The apparatus in accordance with claim 1 in which said satellite has said experiment modules located around its periphery and has two ends, one end being translucent whereby said instrument side can be illuminated from the passage of light through said translucent end.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus in accordance with claim 2 in which said other end of said satellite has solar type batteries thereon.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
24 words
The apparatus in accordance with claim 3 in which said satellite has lighting means therein for illuminating said instrument side of said experiment modules.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
16 words
The apparatus in accordance with claim 4 in which said scanning means includes a revolving reflector.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
21 words
The apparatus in accordance with claim 5 in which said experiment modules have solar batteries located thereon for powering said modules.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-01-09 | 1976-07-10 | 1977-01-09 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-01-09 | 1980-07-10 | 1981-01-09 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-01-09 | 1984-07-10 | 1985-01-09 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |