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:
Aug. 03, 1999
Filed:
Dec. 20, 1996
Howard S Eller, Redondo Beach, CA (US);
Ramon Coronel, Torrance, CA (US);
Martin M Giebler, Redondo Beach, CA (US);
TRW Inc., Redondo Beach, CA (US);
Abstract
A spacecraft avionics module that is for the most part functionally independent of a core spacecraft structure, and provides its own structural integrity, thermal management and some level of power management. The illustrative embodiment of the module is formed as a flat panel that also serves as a thermal radiator. Electronic components are mounted directly onto the panel, which is normally attached by mounting hardware to the core spacecraft structure, through a backbone interface that provides data interconnection between modules and, in some cases, supplies unregulated power to the module. The module may include a power regulation function, or may also include power storage and power generation functions. For complete independence, the module may also include its own attitude control system.