Mass efficient reaction wheel assembly systems including multi-faceted bracket structures
First Claim
1. A Reaction Wheel Assembly (RWA) system, comprising:
- a multi-faceted bracket structure having a centerline, RWA-support faces angularly spaced about the centerline, and a vehicle mount interface substantially orthogonal to the centerline; and
a plurality of RWAs mounted to the RWA-support faces of the multi-faceted bracket structure;
wherein the multi-faceted bracket structure is assembled from multiple interchangeable panels, each defining one of the RWA-support faces and a portion of the vehicle mount interface, andwherein the multiple interchangeable panels comprise a plurality of flanges formed along selected edge portions of the multiple interchangeable panels and wrapping partially around the RWA-support faces to position the multiple interchangeable panels in a predetermined angular relationship when the multi-faceted bracket structure is assembled.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Embodiments of Reaction Wheel Assembly (RWA) systems are provided, which include multi-faceted bracket structures to which RWAs are mounted. In one embodiment, the RWA system includes a bracket structure, which is assembled from multiple (e.g., two to four) interchangeable panels. Each bracket panel may define or include a mount bracket to which an RWA is mounted. In certain embodiments, the bracket panels may include integral bearing cartridge features, which contain the spin bearings of the RWAs. The interchangeable panels may have interconnect features, which align and which possibly interlock to position the panels in a precise angular relationship when the multi-faceted bracket structure is assembled. In other embodiments wherein the bracket structure is assembled from two interchangeable panels or produced as a single piece, the multi-faceted bracket structure may have a peaked form factor supportive of two RWAs, which are mounted to the bracket structure in a back-to-back relationship.
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Citations
16 Claims
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1. A Reaction Wheel Assembly (RWA) system, comprising:
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a multi-faceted bracket structure having a centerline, RWA-support faces angularly spaced about the centerline, and a vehicle mount interface substantially orthogonal to the centerline; and a plurality of RWAs mounted to the RWA-support faces of the multi-faceted bracket structure; wherein the multi-faceted bracket structure is assembled from multiple interchangeable panels, each defining one of the RWA-support faces and a portion of the vehicle mount interface, and wherein the multiple interchangeable panels comprise a plurality of flanges formed along selected edge portions of the multiple interchangeable panels and wrapping partially around the RWA-support faces to position the multiple interchangeable panels in a predetermined angular relationship when the multi-faceted bracket structure is assembled. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. A Reaction Wheel Assembly (RWA) system, comprising:
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a multi-faceted bracket structure, comprising; a first interchangeable panel including a first mount bracket; a second interchangeable panel fixedly joined to the first interchangeable panel and including a second mount bracket; and a vehicle mount interface at least partially defined by the first and second interchangeable panels; and first and second RWAs mounted to the first and second mount brackets, respectively, wherein the first interchangeable panel comprises an RWA-support face in which an opening is formed, and wherein the first mount bracket comprises; a plurality of cross-beams extending within the opening; and a central hub portion integrally formed with the plurality of cross-beams and substantially concentrically located within the opening. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A Reaction Wheel Assembly (RWA) system, comprising:
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a multi-faceted bracket structure having a centerline, the multi-faceted bracket structure comprising; a first bracket structure portion defining a first mount bracket; and a second bracket structure portion defining a second mount bracket, the first and second bracket structure portions opposed about a midline plane containing the centerline, and first and second RWAs attached to the first and second mount brackets, respectively, wherein the first and second mount brackets each comprise; a body having an inner circumferential edge defining an opening; a cartridge hub feature positioned within the opening; and a plurality of cross-beams extending from the inner circumferential edge to the cartridge hub. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16)
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Specification