US5063336A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Mechanical stabilization system using counter-rotation and a single motor
Assignee: Societe Europeenne de Propulsion SEP SA
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Filing: 1990-01-26
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Granted: 1991-11-05
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Expires: 2010-01-26
Abstract
Abstract The system for stabilizing a support comprises a working rotor mounted on the support by frictionless bearings and fixed to a working member for which at least one parameter associated with the rotation of the working rotor is variable as a function of time. A nested reaction rotor is mounted concentrically relative to the working rotor by frictionless bearings such as magnetic bearings or gas bearings and it supports a reaction inertia member. A single servo-controlled electric motor is interposed between the working rotor and the reaction rotor in order to drive the working rotor and the reaction rotor in opposite directions in such a manner that the torque disturbances generated on the support by the motion of the working rotor are cancelled by the simultaneous reaction motion of the reaction rotor, with the ratio of the speeds of the working rotor and the reaction rotor being such that the total angular momentum of the working rotor and of the reaction rotor is kept equal to zero.
Inventors
- 👤 Gerard Atlas
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 07:11
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16C; F16C32/00; F16C32/04; F16C32/0406; F16C32/044; F16C32/0444; H; H02; H02K; H02K16/00; H02K16/005; H02K26/00; H02K7/00; H02K7/08; H02K7/09
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
235 words
A mechanical stabilization system using counter-rotation and a single motor, the system comprising: a support to be stabilized, a working rotor mounted on the support by frictionless bearings and fixed to a working member for which at least one parameter associated with the rotation of the working rotor is variable as a function of time, an electric motor for driving the working rotor, a detector interposed between the working rotor and the support for measuring the parameter associated with the rotation of the working rotor on which a predetermined law of motion as a function of time is imposed, a servo-control circuit receiving signals from the detector for modifying the operating characteristics of the motor so as to cause the working rotor to comply with the predetermined law of motion; and a nested reaction rotor mounted concentrically with the working rotor by frictionless bearings, and supporting a reaction inertia member, wherein the motor is interposed between the working rotor and the reaction rotor to rotate the working rotor and the reaction rotor in opposite directions such that the torque disturbances generated on the support by the motion of the working rotor are cancelled by the simultaneous reaction motion of the reaction motor, with the ratio of the speeds of the working rotor and the reaction rotor being such that the total angular momentum of the working rotor and the reaction rotor is maintained at zero.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
235 words
A mechanical stabilization system using counter-rotation and a single motor, the system comprising: a support to be stabilized, a working rotor mounted on the support by frictionless bearings and fixed to a working member for which at least one parameter associated with the rotation of the working rotor is variable as a function of time, an electric motor for driving the working rotor, a detector interposed between the working rotor and the support for measuring the parameter associated with the rotation of the working rotor on which a predetermined law of motion as a function of time is imposed, a servo-control circuit receiving signals from the detector for modifying the operating characteristics of the motor so as to cause the working rotor to comply with the predetermined law of motion; and a nested reaction rotor mounted concentrically with the working rotor by frictionless bearings, and supporting a reaction inertia member, wherein the motor is interposed between the working rotor and the reaction rotor to rotate the working rotor and the reaction rotor in opposite directions such that the torque disturbances generated on the support by the motion of the working rotor are cancelled by the simultaneous reaction motion of the reaction motor, with the ratio of the speeds of the working rotor and the reaction rotor being such that the total angular momentum of the working rotor and the reaction rotor is maintained at zero.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
26 words
The system of claim 1, wherein the motor comprises winding-free pole piece fixed to the working rotor and wound pole pieces fixed to the reaction rotor.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
23 words
The system of claim 2, wherein the reaction inertia member fixed to the reaction rotor is constituted by working elements performing technical functions.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
68 words
The system of claim 1, wherein the bearings supporting the working rotor are active magnetic bearings comprising electromagnets and associated detectors mounted on the support facing an outside face of the working rotor, and wherein the bearings supporting the reaction rotor relative to the working rotor are active magnetic bearings comprising electromagnets and associated detectors mounted on the reaction rotor facing an inside face of the working rotor.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
57 words
The system of claim 4, wherein the control circuits for the active magnetic bearings supporting the reaction rotor are disposed in the reaction inertia member fixed to the reaction rotor and constitute at least a portion of the reaction inertia enabling the total angular momentum of the working rotor and of the reaction rotor to be cancelled.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
26 words
The system of claim 1, wherein the support is a spacecraft, and the working member mounted on the working rotor is constituted by a rotary member.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
28 words
The system of claim 3, wherein said working elements performing technical functions comprise power supply and servo-control circuits for windings of the wound pole pieces of the motor.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
12 words
The system of claim 6, wherein said rotary member is an antenna.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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Cited
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Cited
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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) | 1994-11-04 | 1995-05-06 | 1995-11-05 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1998-11-04 | 1999-05-06 | 1999-11-05 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2002-11-04 | 2003-05-06 | 2003-11-05 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |