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. 17, 2004
Filed:
Sep. 26, 2002
Jeremiah Salvatore, Redondo Beach, CA (US);
Stephen C. Jennings, Redondo Beach, CA (US);
The Boeing Company, Chicago, IL (US);
Abstract
A method for operating a satellite ( ) so that a predetermined amount of fuel is left to perform end-of-life maneuvers is provided. A first pressure differential is established between a first propellant tank ( ) and a second propellant tank ( ). Propellant is transferred from the first tank ( ) to the second tank ( ). The second tank is used for orbit maintenance. The first tank is used for end-of-life maneuvers. Propellant may be transferred between the tanks using a latching process so that a predetermined amount of fuel may be transferred from a non-empty tank to a full tank. Another way in which the propellant may be measured is to equalize the amount of propellant in each tank and using one tank to completion so the amount remaining is known.