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:
May. 31, 2005
Filed:
Nov. 15, 2001
William J. Biter, Kennett Square, PA (US);
Sung J. OH, Chester Springs, PA (US);
Stephen M. Hess, West Chester, PA (US);
William J. Biter, Kennett Square, PA (US);
Sung J. Oh, Chester Springs, PA (US);
Stephen M. Hess, West Chester, PA (US);
Other;
Abstract
A thermal control device for controlling the temperature of a craft/spacecraft is an electrostatic switch causing a large change in apparent emissivity. A flexible covering has a high emissivity and makes close contact with the surface of the spacecraft when electrostatically attracted thereto, when the covering is out of contact, the spacecraft surface emissivity controls radiation. The device can operate with moderate levels of DC voltages. Application of voltage results in high emissivity while removal of voltage allows a separator to move the covering out of contact and thus results in low emissivity.