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:
Mar. 06, 2001
Filed:
Oct. 07, 1998
John C. Hall, Rancho Palos Verdes, CA (US);
Walter S. Gelon, Redwood City, CA (US);
Robert E. Helmer, Pleasanton, CA (US);
Space Systems/Loral, Inc., Palo Alto, CA (US);
Abstract
A spacecraft comprises a first module including a first assembly of components and a second module including a second assembly of components and a thermal radiator. The second module is movable between a stowed position proximate the first module whereat the thermal radiator is only partially operative and a deployed position distant from the first module whereat the thermal radiator means is fully operative for dissipating waste heat to deep space for at least one of the first and second assemblies of components. In one embodiment, the first module includes a housing defining an interior cavity, the second module including a casing so shaped and dimensioned as to be telescopically received within the internal cavity of the first module and the second module being translationally movable along a deploying axis between the stowed position and the deployed position but incapable of mutual rotation about the deploying axis. In another embodiment, a spacecraft includes a plurality of discrete faces and comprises an equipment panel including an assembly of heat generating components which require cooling, a thermal radiator, and a connecting hinge mounting the equipment panel for pivotal movement between a stowed position proximate one of said faces whereat the thermal radiator is only partially operative and a deployed position distant from the face whereat said thermal radiator means is fully operative for dissipating waste heat from the assembly to deep space.