Sun search method and apparatus for a satellite stabilized in three axes
First Claim
1. Method for sun seeking for a satellite stabilized in three axes, by means of a system havinga sun sensor device whose visual field covers one or more partial sectors, separated from one another by gaps, of a preselectable plane of a satellite-integral orthogonal three-axis coordinate system and an area orthogonal to this plane;
- a rotational speed gyro which measures uniaxially with a measuring axis oriented arbitrarily;
a first torque generating device other than a flywheel device, for generating torque around all three coordinate axes; and
a regulator which, based on the measuring signals of the rotational speed gyro for purposes of generating regulating torque, outputs positioning signals for the first torque generating device, based on regulating process of the following form;
τ
=-kGGT ω and
where τ
is a regulating torque, k is an amplification factor, G is the directional vector of the measuring axis with |G|=1, GT being the vector transposed to G, and ω
is the rotational speed vector of the satellite, said method comprising;
providing a second torque generating device in the form of a flywheel arrangement on said satellite; and
said flywheel arrangement generating a rotation wheel momentum having a momentum vector H that is not parallel to the direction of the measuring axis.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The sun search method for a satellite stabilized in three axes according to the invention uses a sun sensor device with a visual field possibly containing gaps, and a rotational speed gyro which measures in a measuring axis that is oriented arbitrarily. A regulating law with the form τ=-kGGT ω is used (τ=regulating torque, k=amplification factor, G=directional vector of measuring axis of rotational speed gyro, ω=rotational speed vector of the satellite). A rotational wheel momentum H which is not parallel to the measuring axis, is generated with the aid of an additional flywheel device.
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Citations
13 Claims
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1. Method for sun seeking for a satellite stabilized in three axes, by means of a system having
a sun sensor device whose visual field covers one or more partial sectors, separated from one another by gaps, of a preselectable plane of a satellite-integral orthogonal three-axis coordinate system and an area orthogonal to this plane; -
a rotational speed gyro which measures uniaxially with a measuring axis oriented arbitrarily; a first torque generating device other than a flywheel device, for generating torque around all three coordinate axes; and a regulator which, based on the measuring signals of the rotational speed gyro for purposes of generating regulating torque, outputs positioning signals for the first torque generating device, based on regulating process of the following form;
τ
=-kGGT ω and
where τ
is a regulating torque, k is an amplification factor, G is the directional vector of the measuring axis with |G|=1, GT being the vector transposed to G, and ω
is the rotational speed vector of the satellite, said method comprising;providing a second torque generating device in the form of a flywheel arrangement on said satellite; and said flywheel arrangement generating a rotation wheel momentum having a momentum vector H that is not parallel to the direction of the measuring axis. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A sun acquisition device for a satellite which is stabilized in three axes, comprising:
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a sun sensor system having a visual field that covers one or more partial sectors separated from one another by gaps within a preselectable plane in a satellite-integral, three-axis, orthogonal system of coordinates; a uniaxially measuring rotational speed gyro having an arbitrarily oriented measuring axis; a torque generating device that generates torques around all three axes; a regulator which, based on the measuring signals of the rotational speed gyro for purposes of generating regulating torque, outputs positioning signals for the torque generating device, based on regulating process of the following form;
τ
=-kGGT ω
, where τ
is a regulating torque, k is an amplification factor, G is the directional vector of the measuring axis with |G|=1, GT being the vector transposed to G, and ω
is the rotational speed vector of the satellite; anda flywheel arrangement that is able to generate momentum components around all three coordinate axes; said flywheel arrangement generating a rotation wheel momentum having a momentum vector H that is not parallel to the direction of the measure axis. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12)
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13. A method for sun seeking for a satellite which is stabilized about plural axes by means of a sun sensor whose visual field covers at least two partial sectors separated from one another by gaps, at least a first torque generating device for generating torques around said plural axes, and a rotational speed gyro which measures rotational speed about an arbitrarily selected measuring axis, said method comprising:
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providing a second torque generating device in the form of a flywheel arrangement on said satellite; and said flywheel arrangement generating a rotational wheel momentum having a momentum vector H that is not parallel to measuring axis of said rotational speed gyro, whereby said satellite rotates about an axis of the momentum vector H.
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Specification