The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Apr. 25, 1989
Filed:
Jun. 18, 1987
Applicant:
Inventors:
John W Smay, Torrance, CA (US);
John F Yocum, Jr, Rancho Palos Verdes, CA (US);
Eugene Gonzalez, Jr, Hawthorne, CA (US);
Assignee:
Hughes Aircraft Company, Los Angeles, CA (US);
Primary Examiner:
Int. Cl.
CPC ...
B64G / ;
U.S. Cl.
CPC ...
244170 ; 244171 ;
Abstract
A nutation sensor and nutation control system using a relative spin phase sensor in a dual-spin stabilized satellite is disclosed. The relative spin phase sensor provides index pulses indicative of the relative spin phase and rate between the satellite rotor and platform. Nutation of the satellite perturbs the relative spin position of the rotor and platform and means are provided for analyzing index pulse arrive times to calculate nutation of the satellite. In the nutation control system, means are provided to apply a nutation damping torque to the satellite.