Integrated Reaction Wheel Assembly Array for Satellite Attitude Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional Reaction Wheel Assembly Arrays (RWAA) require complex and time-consuming individual mounting of rotor assemblies to achieve precise spatial relationships between spin axes, leading to increased part count, complexity, weight, and cost, as well as radiation shielding and structural robustness challenges.
Innovation Solution
An integrated RWAA with a multi-rotor chassis that integrally mounts rotor assemblies, using rotor nests and bearing locating features to set spin axes in a predetermined spatial relationship, reducing the need for individual mounting and incorporating a centralized control system, shared evacuation port, and enhanced structural robustness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If individual rotor assemblies are separately mounted to achieve precise spin axis alignment, then manufacturing precision is improved, but device complexity and time consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple rotor assemblies with their mounting structures into a single integrated reaction wheel assembly array. The common mounting interface integrates multiple mounting surfaces and adjustment mechanisms into one unified structure, allowing all rotor assemblies to be mounted simultaneously while maintaining precise spin axis alignment. This eliminates the need for separate mounting operations for each rotor assembly.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated mounting interface is pre-configured with precise geometric features and adjustment mechanisms that automatically establish the correct spatial relationships between rotor assemblies during a single mounting operation. The preliminary design of the mounting interface ensures that spin axes are aligned to required precision without requiring post-installation adjustment of individual assemblies.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple separate mounting interfaces are provided for individual rotor assemblies, then adaptability is improved, but part count and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent consolidates multiple separate mounting interfaces into a single integrated mounting interface that accommodates all rotor assemblies. This unified interface reduces the total number of parts while maintaining the ability to mount different configurations of rotor assemblies by providing adjustable and reconfigurable mounting features within the single interface structure.
3Ease of repair
If individual rotor assemblies are separately mounted, then ease of repair is improved, but structural robustness and radiation shielding deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent maintains the modular nature of individual rotor assemblies within the integrated array structure. Each rotor assembly remains a distinct, replaceable module that can be individually accessed and replaced through the integrated mounting interface. This segmentation preserves ease of repair while the unified mounting structure provides enhanced structural robustness and improved radiation shielding compared to separate mounting arrangements.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution simplifies the mounting process, reduces part count, complexity, weight, and cost, while ensuring precise spin axis alignment and improved radiation shielding, enhancing structural integrity and scalability.
Implementation Method 1
a spin motor drives rotation of the rotor about a spin axis at a relatively high rate of speed thus establishing momentum
Implementation Method 2
The momentum change and resulting RWA system output torque is transferred, through the RWA housing assembly, and to the host vehicle to effectuate the desired attitude adjustment
Data Source
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AI summary
Embodiments of an integrated Reaction Wheel Assembly Array (RWAA (10)) are provided, as are embodiments of a multi-rotor chassis (12) suitable for usage within an RWAA. In one embodiment, the RWAA includes a multi-rotor chassis having a plurality of bearing locating features (38, 74). A plurality of rotor assemblies (18) is mounted to the multi-rotor chassis. Each rotor assembly includes a rotor (50) having a rotor shaft (52), a spin motor (56) coupled to the rotor and configured to drive rotation of the rotor about a spin axis (58), and a first spin bearing assembly (60) disposed around an end portion of the rotor shaft. The first spin bearing pilots to one of the bearing locating features to position or locate the spin axis of the rotor assembly in a predetermined fixed spatial relationship relative to the spin axes of the other rotor assemblies.