US3717413A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Sun sensing system for a flying body
Assignee: Toshiba Corp
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Filing: 1970-11-20
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Granted: 1973-02-20
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Expires: 1990-11-20
Abstract
Abstract A flying body, such as a satellite, is provided with three sun sensors mounted thereon, each of which includes a slit for allowing the sun rays to fall on a photoelectric converter mounted within the satellite. The first sensor is positioned with its slit in a plane which includes the spin axis of the flying body, the second sensor is positioned with its slit in a plane inclined at a first angle to the spin axis, and the third sensor is located with its slit in a plane inclined at a second angle to the spin axis. Logic is provided for selecting the outputs of different sensors, depending on the attitude of the satellite.
Inventors
- 👤 M Kubo
- 👤 K Asano
- 👤 H Ohashi
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 05:51
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01S; G01S3/00; G01S3/78; G01S3/782; G01S3/789
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
220 words
A sun sensing system for a flying body comprising: a photoelectric converter mounted within said flying body, said flying body rotating about an axis of spin, a first sun sensor mounted on said flying body, said first sun sensor including a first slit means for permitting the sun''s rays to fall upon said photoelectric converter, said first slit means lying in a first plane which includes said axis of spin, a second sun sensor mounted on said flying body, said second sun sensor including a second slit means for permitting the sun''s rays to fall upon said photoelectric converter, said second slit means lying in a second plane which is oriented at an angle to said first plane, a third sun sensor mounted on said flying body, said third sun sensor including a third slit means for permitting the sun''s rays to fall upon said photoelectric converter, said third slit means lying in a third plane which is at an angle to both said first and second planes, said angle between said first and third planes being smaller than said angle between said first and second planes; and, means included in said flying body for selecting outputs from one of said second and third sun sensors and for responding to outputs from said selected sun sensor and said first sensor.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
220 words
A sun sensing system for a flying body comprising: a photoelectric converter mounted within said flying body, said flying body rotating about an axis of spin, a first sun sensor mounted on said flying body, said first sun sensor including a first slit means for permitting the sun''s rays to fall upon said photoelectric converter, said first slit means lying in a first plane which includes said axis of spin, a second sun sensor mounted on said flying body, said second sun sensor including a second slit means for permitting the sun''s rays to fall upon said photoelectric converter, said second slit means lying in a second plane which is oriented at an angle to said first plane, a third sun sensor mounted on said flying body, said third sun sensor including a third slit means for permitting the sun''s rays to fall upon said photoelectric converter, said third slit means lying in a third plane which is at an angle to both said first and second planes, said angle between said first and third planes being smaller than said angle between said first and second planes; and, means included in said flying body for selecting outputs from one of said second and third sun sensors and for responding to outputs from said selected sun sensor and said first sensor.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
220 words
A sun sensing system for a flying body comprising: a photoelectric converter mounted within said flying body, said flying body rotating about an axis of spin, a first sun sensor mounted on said flying body, said first sun sensor including a first slit means for permitting the sun''s rays to fall upon said photoelectric converter, said first slit means lying in a first plane which includes said axis of spin, a second sun sensor mounted on said flying body, said second sun sensor including a second slit means for permitting the sun''s rays to fall upon said photoelectric converter, said second slit means lying in a second plane which is oriented at an angle to said first plane, a third sun sensor mounted on said flying body, said third sun sensor including a third slit means for permitting the sun''s rays to fall upon said photoelectric converter, said third slit means lying in a third plane which is at an angle to both said first and second planes, said angle between said first and third planes being smaller than said angle between said first and second planes; and, means included in said flying body for selecting outputs from one of said second and third sun sensors and for responding to outputs from said selected sun sensor and said first sensor.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
220 words
A sun sensing system for a flying body comprising: a photoelectric converter mounted within said flying body, said flying body rotating about an axis of spin, a first sun sensor mounted on said flying body, said first sun sensor including a first slit means for permitting the sun''s rays to fall upon said photoelectric converter, said first slit means lying in a first plane which includes said axis of spin, a second sun sensor mounted on said flying body, said second sun sensor including a second slit means for permitting the sun''s rays to fall upon said photoelectric converter, said second slit means lying in a second plane which is oriented at an angle to said first plane, a third sun sensor mounted on said flying body, said third sun sensor including a third slit means for permitting the sun''s rays to fall upon said photoelectric converter, said third slit means lying in a third plane which is at an angle to both said first and second planes, said angle between said first and third planes being smaller than said angle between said first and second planes; and, means included in said flying body for selecting outputs from one of said second and third sun sensors and for responding to outputs from said selected sun sensor and said first sensor.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
47 words
A sun sensing system for a flying body as in claim 1, wherein: said means for selecting includes a flip-flop circuit having a set terminal for receiving outputs from said second and third sun sensors and a reset terminal for receiving outputs from said first sun sensor.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
114 words
A sun sensing system for a flying body as in claim 1, wherein: said means for selecting includes a pulse distinguishing circuit, said pulse distinguishing circuit comprising, monostable multivibrator means for receiving outputs from said first, second and third sun sensors, inverter means coupled to said monostable multivibrator means for inverting the output thereof, ternary counter means coupled to said first, second, and third sun sensors for receiving the outputs thereof, an OR gate connected to said ternary counter means and to said inverter means for gating the outputs thereof; and, an AND gate coupled to said OR gate and to said first, second, and third sun sensors for gating the combined outputs thereof.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
67 words
A sun sensing system for a flying body as in claim 3, wherein: said second and third sun sensors generate output pulses separated by a first time interval, said first and second sun sensors generate output pulses separated by a second time interval; and, said monostable multivibrator generates an output pulse having a duration longer than said first time interval but shorter than said second time interval.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3440426A
Cited
US3614239A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-02-20 | 1976-08-21 | 1977-02-20 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-02-20 | 1980-08-21 | 1981-02-20 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-02-20 | 1984-08-21 | 1985-02-20 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |