US4345728A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method for controlling the attitude of a spinning spacecraft in the presence of solar pressure
Assignee: The AT&T MVPD Group LLC
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Filing: 1979-09-04
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Granted: 1982-08-24
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Expires: 1999-09-04
Abstract
Abstract The torque from differential solar pressure acting on a spinning spacecraft body and tending to tilt the spacecraft about an axis transverse to the spin axis, is reduced or eliminated by shifting the center of gravity of the spacecraft axially or longitudinally of the spin axis in a direction toward the center of solar pressure.
Inventors
- 👤 Murray J. Neufeld
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 01:47
CPC Classifications
B; B64; B64G; B64G1/00; B64G1/22; B64G1/24; B64G1/26; B64G1/244; B64G1/28; B64G1/281; B64G1/32; B64G1/36; B64G1/363; B64G1/365; B64G1/40; B64G1/407; G; G01; G01M; G01M1/00; G01M1/30; G01M1/36
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
71 words
Method for compensating for the affects of solar pressure upon a spinning body comprising the ordered steps of: determining the axial location of the center of solar pressure relative to the center of gravity of the spinning body; and shifting the center of gravity of the spinning body in the axial direction of said center of solar pressure, to thereby reduce the affects of attitude changing torques inducted by solar radiation.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
71 words
Method for compensating for the affects of solar pressure upon a spinning body comprising the ordered steps of: determining the axial location of the center of solar pressure relative to the center of gravity of the spinning body; and shifting the center of gravity of the spinning body in the axial direction of said center of solar pressure, to thereby reduce the affects of attitude changing torques inducted by solar radiation.
Claim 3
Independent Claim
99 words
A method for compensating for the affects of solar pressure upon a spinning body comprising the steps of: determining the attitude of said spinning body at a first particular time; determining the attitude of said spinning body at a second particular time; utilizing said attitudes to determine the axial location of the center of solar pressure relative to the center of gravity of said spinning body; and shifting the center of gravity axially of the spinning body in the direction of the center of solar pressure, to thereby reduce the affects of attitude changing torques induced by solar radiation.
Claim 4
Independent Claim
99 words
A method for compensating for the affects of solar pressure upon a spinning body comprising the steps of: determining the attitude of said spinning body at a first particular time; determining the attitude of said spinning body at a second particular time; utilizing said attitudes to determine the axial location of the center of solar pressure relative to the center of gravity of said spinning body; and shifting the center of gravity axially of the spinning body in the direction of the center of solar pressure, to thereby reduce the affects of attitude changing torques induced by solar radiation.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
145 words
The method of compensating the affect of solar pressure on the attitude of a spinning spacecraft operating in space and having mounted thereon, a dynamic balancer, a sun sensor and an earth sensor, comprising the steps of: using said sun sensor and said earth sensor at a first particular time to determine a first spacecraft attitude; using said sun sensor and said earth sensor at a second particular time to determine a second spacecraft attitude; using said first attitude and said second attitude to determine the direction of the center of solar pressure from the present center of gravity of said spacecraft; and thereafter adjusting said dynamic balancer in a direction longitudinally of said spinning spacecraft to solely shift the center of gravity toward the center of solar pressure acting on said spacecraft, thereby reducing the affect of attitude changing torques induced by solar pressure.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
145 words
The method of compensating the affect of solar pressure on the attitude of a spinning spacecraft operating in space and having mounted thereon, a dynamic balancer, a sun sensor and an earth sensor, comprising the steps of: using said sun sensor and said earth sensor at a first particular time to determine a first spacecraft attitude; using said sun sensor and said earth sensor at a second particular time to determine a second spacecraft attitude; using said first attitude and said second attitude to determine the direction of the center of solar pressure from the present center of gravity of said spacecraft; and thereafter adjusting said dynamic balancer in a direction longitudinally of said spinning spacecraft to solely shift the center of gravity toward the center of solar pressure acting on said spacecraft, thereby reducing the affect of attitude changing torques induced by solar pressure.
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) | 1985-08-23 | 1986-02-22 | 1986-08-24 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1989-08-23 | 1990-02-22 | 1990-08-24 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1993-08-23 | 1994-02-22 | 1994-08-24 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |