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:
Jun. 12, 1990
Filed:
Aug. 10, 1988
Homer W Heinzman, Arlington, TX (US);
LTV Aerospace and Defense Company, Dallas, TX (US);
Abstract
A planar thermal radiator for use in outer space is disclosed. The radiator is adapted to rotate on two mutually perpendicular x and y axes which are in x and y planes respectively that are perpendicular to each other and to the planar surfaces of the radiator. It utilizes a plurality of pairs of heat sensors wherein each heat sensor provides a value of electrical resistance which is representative of the incident heat energy along the sensitive axis of that heat sensor. A common heat sensor pair detects incident heat energy which is perpendicular to the radiator. A first plurality of heat sensor pairs is used to detect incident heat energy along sensitive axes that are parallel to the x-plane and a second plurality of heat sensor pairs is used to detect incident heat energy along sensitive axes that are parallel to the y-plane. One sensor of each heat sensor pair is mounted on the opposite surface of the radiator. Each heat sensor pair has an associated heat sensor pair in its respective plurality. Each heat sensor pair and its associated heat sensor pair is mounted to detect incident thermal energy which is impinging at equal but opposite angles with respect to the axis that is perpendicular to the radiator. Each pair is electrically connected in series. During operation, the series resistance of each heat sensor pair is measured and the sensitive axis of the common heat sensor pair is oriented in the direction of the sensitive axis of the sensor pair that has the least series resistance value. The radiator is then rotated until the difference between the value of the series resistance of each heat sensor pair and its associated heat sensor pair is nearly zero.