Spacecraft with articulated solar array

Patent 4747567 Issued on May 31, 1988. Estimated Expiration Date:

May 31, 2005. Estimated Expiration Date is calculated based on simple USPTO term provisions. It does not account for terminal disclaimers, term adjustments, failure to pay maintenance fees, or other factors which might affect the term of a patent.

Abstract Claims Description Full Text

Patent References

2596632

3315918

3893573

Self-deployable solar cell panel
Patent #: 4133501
Issued on: 01/09/1979
Inventor: Pentlicki

Plural panels deployed effectively as a single panel
Patent #: 4133502
Issued on: 01/09/1979
Inventor: Anchutin

Solar power supply for spacecraft
Patent #: 4306108
Issued on: 12/15/1981
Inventor: Henesian

Deployable support structure for spacecrafts
Patent #: 4373690
Issued on: 02/15/1983
Inventor: Stillman , et al.

Space satellite with agile payload orientation system Patent #: 4375878
Issued on: 03/08/1983
Inventor: Harvey , et al.

Inventors

Assignee

Space Industries, Inc.

Application

No. 06/713882 filed on 03/20/1985

US Classes:

244/172.6, With deployable appendage136/245, Lightweight and collapsible or foldable136/292, Space - satellite244/172.7With solar panel

Examiners

Primary: Peters, Joseph F. Jr.
Assistant: Fiarito, Lynn M.

Attorney, Agent or Firm

Robbins & laramie

International Classes

B64G 1/22 (20060101)
B64G 1/42 (20060101)
B64G 1/44 (20060101)
B64G 1/12 (20060101)
B64G 1/24 (20060101)
B64G 1/00 (20060101)
B64G 1/64 (20060101)
B64G 1/34 (20060101)

Abstract

A spacecraft is disclosed which comprises a spacecraft body, at least one solar array extendible outwardly from the spacecraft body, and articulation means for adjusting the position of the solar array relative to the spacecraft body independently about three axes, each of which is orthogonal to the axis adjacent to it. Each articulation means comprises a first rotatable coupling for permitting rotation of the solar array about a first axis substantially parallel to the surface of the spacecraft body, a second rotatable coupling for permitting rotation of the solar array about a second axis normal to the first axis, and a third rotatable coupling for permitting rotation of the solar array about a third axis normal to the second axis and parallel to the longitudinal axis of the array.

Other References

Conference: Proceedings of the 14th Intersociety Energy Conversion Engineering Conference, Boston, MA, USA (5-10 Aug. 1979), author: H. C. Ness, McDonnell Douglas Astronautics
C. Covault, "Spacelab Program Cost Rise Threatens Gimbal", Aviation Week & Space Technology, vol. 117, No. 8, pp. 54-56 (Aug. 23, 1982)