US3758051A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Velocity control and orientation of a spin-stabilized body
Assignee: Raytheon Co
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Filing: 1964-08-21
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Granted: 1973-09-11
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Expires: 1984-08-21
Abstract
Abstract An orbiting satellite having a radio antenna and solar cells is oriented with respect to the earth and the sun to optimize the satellite antenna gain and the solar cell illumination. The satellite enters its orbit around the earth with its spin-axis initially oriented perpendicular to the earth''s axis. The desired orientation of the satellite spin axis is parallel to the earth''s axis and means is provided for processing the spin axis of the satellite to the desired orientation by applying a reactive force to the satellite in a proper plane. Nutation of the satellite is damped by a viscous damper provided therein. Means is provided for sensing the orientation of the satellite relative to the earth, the sun, or both. Deviations from the correct orbital period, eccentricity, and phase are determined from observations made from the earth. Means is provided to correct orbital deviations by applying a reactive force to the satellite with a predetermined amount of force and in the proper direction.
Inventors
- 👤 D Williams
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 07:45
CPC Classifications
B; B64; B64G; B64G1/00; B64G1/22; B64G1/24; B64G1/28; B64G1/281; B64G1/244; B64G1/38
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
164 words
Apparatus comprising: a. a body adapted to spin about an axis; b. fluid supply means associated with said body; c. a valve connected to said fluid supply means; d. fluid expulsion means disposed on said body and coupled with said valve and oriented to expel said fluid substantially along a line parallel to said axis and separated therefrom; e. means disposed on said body for providing an indication to a location external to said body of the instantaneous spin angle position of said body about said axis and the orientation of said axis with reference to a fixed external coordinate system; f. and means disposed on said body for receiving from said location control signals synchronized with said indication; g. said valve being coupled to said last-named means and responsive to said control signals for applying fluid to said fluid expulsion means in synchronism therewith for precessing said body to orient said axis in a predetermined desired relationship with said fixed external coordinate system.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
164 words
Apparatus comprising: a. a body adapted to spin about an axis; b. fluid supply means associated with said body; c. a valve connected to said fluid supply means; d. fluid expulsion means disposed on said body and coupled with said valve and oriented to expel said fluid substantially along a line parallel to said axis and separated therefrom; e. means disposed on said body for providing an indication to a location external to said body of the instantaneous spin angle position of said body about said axis and the orientation of said axis with reference to a fixed external coordinate system; f. and means disposed on said body for receiving from said location control signals synchronized with said indication; g. said valve being coupled to said last-named means and responsive to said control signals for applying fluid to said fluid expulsion means in synchronism therewith for precessing said body to orient said axis in a predetermined desired relationship with said fixed external coordinate system.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
201 words
Apparatus for applying force to a spinning body by control from a location external to said body comprising: a. a body adapted to spin about a spin axis passing through the center of gravity thereof; b. means for supplying fluid under pressure disposed within said body; c. a controllable valve connected to said means for supplying a fluid; d. jet-forming means disposed on said body and directed along a line substantially parallel to said spin axis and spaced apart therefrom; e. said valve being connected to said jet-forming means for supplying fluid thereto when actuated; f. wide angle means disposed on said body for providing an indication to a location external to said body of the instantaneous spin angle position of said body about said spin axis and the orientation of said spin axis with reference to a fixed external coordinate system; g. and means disposed on said body for receiving from said location control signals synchronized with said indication; h. said valve being coupled to said last-named means and responsive to said control signals for the actuation of said valve for precessing said body to orient said spin axis into a predetermined desired relationship with said fixed external coordinate system.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
201 words
Apparatus for applying force to a spinning body by control from a location external to said body comprising: a. a body adapted to spin about a spin axis passing through the center of gravity thereof; b. means for supplying fluid under pressure disposed within said body; c. a controllable valve connected to said means for supplying a fluid; d. jet-forming means disposed on said body and directed along a line substantially parallel to said spin axis and spaced apart therefrom; e. said valve being connected to said jet-forming means for supplying fluid thereto when actuated; f. wide angle means disposed on said body for providing an indication to a location external to said body of the instantaneous spin angle position of said body about said spin axis and the orientation of said spin axis with reference to a fixed external coordinate system; g. and means disposed on said body for receiving from said location control signals synchronized with said indication; h. said valve being coupled to said last-named means and responsive to said control signals for the actuation of said valve for precessing said body to orient said spin axis into a predetermined desired relationship with said fixed external coordinate system.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
253 words
Apparatus for applying torque to a body spinning about a spin axis by control from a location external to said body, said torque being applied about a predetermined axis normal to said spin axis to precess said spin axis to point in a desired direction comprising: a. a body adapted to spin about a spin axis passing through the center of gravity thereof; b. fluid supply means for supplying a fluid under pressure disposed within said body; c. a controllable valve connected to said fluid supply means; d. fluid expulsion means coupled to said valve and attached to said body and oriented to expel said fluid from said body substantially along a line parallel to said spin axis and spaced apart therefrom to enable torque to be applied about any axis normal to said spin axis passing through the center of gravity of said body; e. wide angle optical means disposed on said body for providing an indication to a location external to said body of the instantaneous spin angle position of said body about said spin axis and the orientation of said spin axis with reference to a fixed external coordinate System; f. and means disposed on said body for receiving from said location control signals synchronized with said indication; g. said valve being coupled to said last-named means and responsive to said control signals for the repetitive actuation of said valve for precessing said body to orient said spin axis into a predetermined desired relationship with said fixed external coordinate system.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
253 words
Apparatus for applying torque to a body spinning about a spin axis by control from a location external to said body, said torque being applied about a predetermined axis normal to said spin axis to precess said spin axis to point in a desired direction comprising: a. a body adapted to spin about a spin axis passing through the center of gravity thereof; b. fluid supply means for supplying a fluid under pressure disposed within said body; c. a controllable valve connected to said fluid supply means; d. fluid expulsion means coupled to said valve and attached to said body and oriented to expel said fluid from said body substantially along a line parallel to said spin axis and spaced apart therefrom to enable torque to be applied about any axis normal to said spin axis passing through the center of gravity of said body; e. wide angle optical means disposed on said body for providing an indication to a location external to said body of the instantaneous spin angle position of said body about said spin axis and the orientation of said spin axis with reference to a fixed external coordinate System; f. and means disposed on said body for receiving from said location control signals synchronized with said indication; g. said valve being coupled to said last-named means and responsive to said control signals for the repetitive actuation of said valve for precessing said body to orient said spin axis into a predetermined desired relationship with said fixed external coordinate system.
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) | 1976-09-10 | 1977-03-12 | 1977-09-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-09-10 | 1981-03-12 | 1981-09-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-09-10 | 1985-03-12 | 1985-09-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |