System and method for enhanced solar array pointing in sun-nadir steering

Patent 6293502 Issued on September 25, 2001. Estimated Expiration Date:

August 4, 2019. 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

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Inventor

Fowell, Richard A.

Application

No. 368202 filed on 08/04/1999

US Classes:

244/164Attitude control

Examiners

Primary: Poon, Peter M.
Assistant: Jakel, Kevin

Attorney, Agent or Firm

Gudmestad; T.

Foreign Patent References

0 195 554 B2 EP. 12/13/1993

International Class

B64G 001/24

Abstract

A satellite (30) programmed for sun-nadir steering and having a solar wing (36) mounted to the satellite body (35) and being selectively moveable about two mutually orthogonal axes (A, B). The solar wing (36) is mounted to the satellite body (35) by a pair of gimbals (43, 45) thus allowing two degrees of freedom and thereby permitting the solar wing (36) to be rotated about the two mutually orthogonal axes (A, B). A first motor (42) in operative engagement with the gimbal (43) selectively rotates the solar wing about the axis (A), while a second motor (46) in operative engagement with the gimbal (45) selectively rotates the solar wing about the second axis (B). A control circuit (40) is in operative engagement with the first and second motors and selectively causes the first motor to rotate the solar wing about the first axis to a predetermined position, and selectively causes the second motor to rotate the solar wing about the second axis to a predetermined position.

Other References

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