Device, system and method for attitude control
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A control moment gyroscope (CMG) configured for selectively and alternately providing a first spatial configuration and a second spatial configuration at least during operation of the CMG, the CMG comprising:
- a variable external envelope enclosing a variable volume;
wherein in said first spatial configuration, said variable volume is smaller than in said second spatial configuration;
wherein in said first spatial configuration, no part of said CMG projects beyond a predetermined geometrical boundary;
wherein in said second spatial configuration, a portion of said CMG projects beyond said predetermined geometrical boundary; and
a cover configured for selectively providing each one of an undeployed configuration and a deployed configuration, wherein in said first spatial configuration said cover is in the undeployed configuration, and wherein in said second spatial configuration said cover is in the deployed configuration.
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Abstract
A control moment gyroscope (CMG) is provided, selectively having a first spatial configuration and a second spatial configuration at least during operation of the CMG. In the first spatial configuration the CMG occupies a smaller volume than in the second spatial configuration. For example, in the first spatial configuration no part of the CMG projects beyond a predetermined geometrical boundary, while in the second spatial configuration, a portion of the CMG projects beyond the geometrical boundary.
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Citations
19 Claims
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1. A control moment gyroscope (CMG) configured for selectively and alternately providing a first spatial configuration and a second spatial configuration at least during operation of the CMG, the CMG comprising:
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a variable external envelope enclosing a variable volume; wherein in said first spatial configuration, said variable volume is smaller than in said second spatial configuration; wherein in said first spatial configuration, no part of said CMG projects beyond a predetermined geometrical boundary; wherein in said second spatial configuration, a portion of said CMG projects beyond said predetermined geometrical boundary; and a cover configured for selectively providing each one of an undeployed configuration and a deployed configuration, wherein in said first spatial configuration said cover is in the undeployed configuration, and wherein in said second spatial configuration said cover is in the deployed configuration. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A vehicle, comprising:
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a vehicle external geometrical envelope; and at least one control moment gyroscope (CMG) configured for selectively and alternately providing a first spatial configuration and a second spatial configuration at least during operation of the at least one CMG, the at least one CMG including a variable CMG external envelope enclosing a variable volume; wherein in said first spatial configuration, said variable volume is smaller than in said second spatial configuration; wherein in said first spatial configuration, no part of said at least one CMG projects beyond said vehicle external geometrical envelope; and wherein in said second spatial configuration, a portion of said at least one CMG projects beyond said vehicle external geometrical envelope. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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Specification