Spacecraft Engine Adjustment Mechanism with Multi-Axis Pivoting

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional adjustment mechanisms for spacecraft engines have limitations in setting the thrust vector and choice of adjustment path due to single pivoting axes, leading to restrictions in maintaining the thrust vector through the spacecraft's center of gravity, potential collisions with solar panels, and high fuel consumption.

Innovation Solution

The mechanism incorporates a first adjustment drive with a one-axis pivoting device and a second adjustment drive with a two-axis pivoting device, allowing for a total of three pivot axes, enabling increased degrees of freedom for the boom and engine plate orientation, with the second or third pivot axis parallel to the first, facilitating parallel displacement and rotation of the engines to optimize thrust vector alignment and minimize solar panel interference.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a single pivoting axis is used in conventional adjustment mechanisms, then the device complexity is reduced, but the adaptability in setting the thrust vector and choosing adjustment paths is restricted

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvethrust vector setting freedomVSAvoidnumber of pivot axes

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention transitions from a single-pivot-axis mechanism to a three-pivot-axis mechanism, adding two more dimensions of movement freedom. The first pivot axis enables boom deployment, while the second and third pivot axes (arranged orthogonally) enable the engine plate to orient in multiple directions, achieving full adaptability in thrust vector positioning.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The adjustment mechanism is segmented into three independent pivoting stages: the first pivot axis for boom deployment, the second pivot axis for engine plate orientation, and the third pivot axis for fine-adjustment of thrust vector direction. Each pivot axis operates independently to provide precise control over the engine's position and orientation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Stability of the object's composition

If the engine is folded adjacent to the spacecraft during launch, then the rigidity is improved, but the volume occupied by the adjustment mechanism increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverigidity during launchVSAvoidvolume swept during deployment

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The engine plate and boom are designed to fold nested against the spacecraft body during launch, minimizing the volume occupied. The boom pivots on the first axis to position the engine plate adjacent to the spacecraft, while the second and third pivot axes allow the engine plate to be compactly stored without protruding significantly from the spacecraft structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

3Adaptability or versatility

If the boom is made longer to increase adjustment range, then the adaptability is improved, but the natural frequency decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadjustment rangeVSAvoidnatural frequency

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSSpeed

Solution Approach 1:

The mechanism uses a multi-stage pivoting system where the first pivot axis controls boom deployment, and the second and third pivot axes control engine plate orientation. This dynamic segmentation allows the boom to be sufficiently long for adjustment range while maintaining structural integrity through the pivot points, which act as support locations that preserve natural frequency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

4Reliability

If the engine plate is positioned to avoid solar panel collisions, then the reliability is improved, but the fuel consumption increases due to suboptimal thrust vector alignment

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecollision avoidanceVSAvoidfuel consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The third pivot axis enables dynamic adjustment of the thrust vector direction by changing the orientation parameters of the engine plate. This allows the system to optimize the thrust vector alignment with the center of gravity for fuel efficiency while simultaneously constraining the movement path to avoid solar panel areas, resolving the contradiction between reliability and energy consumption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP3034412B1Regulating mechanism for adjusting at least one engine of a spacecraft

Publication Date: 2017.10.11 RUAG SPACE

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AI summary

In an actuating mechanism for adjusting at least one engine (4) of a spacecraft (1) comprising an engine plate (10) for the at least one engine, a pivoting boom (9) for pivoting the engine plate between a folded-in position adjacent to the spacecraft and at least one unfolded position spaced away from the spacecraft, and a first actuating drive (5) for pivoting the boom and a second actuating drive (6) for orienting the engine plate relative to the boom, the first actuating drive has a single-axis pivoting device (7) comprising a first pivoting axis (8) and the second actuating drive has at least two-axis pivoting device (11, 13) comprising a second (12) and a third (14) pivoting axis, wherein the second or the third pivoting axis is parallel to the first pivoting axis or can be brought into a parallel position.