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:
Apr. 06, 2010
Filed:
Mar. 29, 2006
Louis R. Jackson, Peoria, AZ (US);
Bruce W. Rogers, Glendale, AZ (US);
Robert E. Winkel, Phoenix, AZ (US);
Louis R. Jackson, Peoria, AZ (US);
Bruce W. Rogers, Glendale, AZ (US);
Robert E. Winkel, Phoenix, AZ (US);
Honeywell International Inc., Morristown, NJ (US);
Abstract
Methods and apparatus are provided for active motion damping of a spacecraft whose attitude control system (SACS) has experienced a partial failure. In a preferred embodiment, the apparatus comprises, an attitude control processor (ACP), a motion damping controller (MDC) coupled to the ACP, a control moment gyro (CMG) comprising a gimbal loop controller (GLC) coupled to the MDC and a gimbal motor with input coupled to the GLC and gyroscopic torque output coupled to the satellite. Normally, a gimbal rate command (GRC) from the ACP passes to the GLC for execution to rotate the CMG gimbal and the coupled satellite. If the ACP output becomes invalid, the MDC assumes control and can modify CMG operation in several ways to safely decelerate a moving satellite without hazardous mechanical stress. Following such active motion damping, the CMG remains quiescent until a RESET is received whereby further valid GRCs are then executable.