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. 12, 2002
Filed:
Feb. 03, 1999
Hans Joerg Koenigsmann, Torrance, CA (US);
Microcosm, Inc., El Segundo, CA (US);
Abstract
A magnetic torquer ( ) for spacecraft attitude control, providing a torque that is controllable over an extended range greater than a normally used linear range, and thereby providing a higher ratio of maximum torque to device weight. In one form of the torquer, a feedback loop including a sensor ( ), a signal subtraction circuit ( ), a controller ( ) and an adjustable power supply ( ), continuously determines a corrected command signal that results in the generation of a desired magnetic moment and a corresponding torque, over the extended range, regardless of non-linearity across the extended range. In an alternate form of the torquer, the corrected command signal is generated from a mathematical model ( ) of the magnetic torquer ( ). Use of the invention also minimizes the effect of any residual magnetic moment that might by present when the actuating current is reduced to zero.