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:
Jul. 06, 2004
Filed:
Mar. 07, 2002
Eugene M. Levin, Minnetonka, MN (US);
Joseph A. Carroll, Chula Vista, CA (US);
Tether Applications, Inc., Chula Vista, CA (US);
Abstract
A tether system for space applications includes at least one electron collector, at least one electron emitter, a power system, and at least one electrodynamic tether electrically coupled to the power system. The electrodynamic tether conducts electrical current between at least one electron collector and at least one electron emitter. Electric current and voltage are measured. Selected tether dynamics and electrodynamics based on the measured electric current and voltage are ascertained. The electric current and/or current distribution is adjusted to thereby control at least one tether system state based on the ascertained selected tether dynamics and electrodynamics.