Sun sensor

Details Sun sensor Sun sensor

1997-09-18

1999-06-22

Le, Que T.

Radiant energy

Photocells; circuits and apparatus

Photocell controls its own optical systems

244 316, G01J 120

Patent

active

059144831

ABSTRACT:
A sun sensor for use in orbiting satellites provides accurate attitude control yet eliminates the use of complicated optical components. The improved accuracy results from adjustment of the relative positions of a slit or pinhole aperture and a cooperating linear array of photodetector elements to increase the operating range of the sun sensor. Enhanced accuracy is further achieved by the use of a relatively wide slit instead of complicated optical components, in conjunction with a processing procedure which uses the finite angular subtense of the sun to increase the accuracy of the attitude control of the satellite by the sun sensor. A further embodiment of the invention includes a sun sensor device having dual "pinhole" apertures which is particularly useful for attitude control of a spinning satellite.

REFERENCES:
patent: 3744913 (1973-07-01), Farthing et al.
patent: 4018532 (1977-04-01), Fletcher et al.
patent: 4404465 (1983-09-01), Miller
patent: 4445030 (1984-04-01), Carton
patent: 4999483 (1991-03-01), Okamoto
patent: 5698842 (1997-12-01), Fallon et al.

Affiliated with

Also associated with

Rating

Sun sensor does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.

If you have personal experience with Sun sensor, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Sun sensor will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-1709395