Aeronautics and astronautics – Spacecraft – Spacecraft formation – orbit – or interplanetary path
Patent
1988-03-01
1990-05-08
Basinger, Sherman D.
Aeronautics and astronautics
Spacecraft
Spacecraft formation, orbit, or interplanetary path
244167, B64G 120
Patent
active
049231510
ABSTRACT:
A power generation system utilizes an electromagnetic tether having a three conductor, coaxial configuration which allows the circuit to be closed internal to two orbiting objects. An outer cylinder of the tether is a conductor which is used to cut or pass through the earth's magnetic field to produce a voltage output. A cylinder within the outer cylinder is made of a metal such as soft iron and is used to shield a central conductor from the earth's magnetic field. The two outer cylinders are insulated from the center conductor except at one of the tethered objects where they are electrically connected. This causes the end of the center conductor to be at the same electrical potential as the tethered object when there is an infinite load. Useful power is produced at the other object, which may be a space ship, when a switch is closed and the potential is between the outer cylinder and the center conductor.
REFERENCES:
patent: 3363857 (1968-01-01), Vilbig
patent: 3389877 (1968-06-01), Huber et al.
patent: 4097010 (1978-06-01), Colombo et al.
Tethers Open New Space Options, Ivan Bekey, NASA, Astronautics & Aeronaut, Apr. 1983.
Tethers in Space--Birth and Growth of a New Avenue to Space Utilization, by Georg von Tiesenhausen (NASA), Feb. 1984.
Martin Marietta Aerospace Final Study Report: Phase II Study of Selected Tether Applications in Space, Feb. 1985, pp. ii, iii, iv, 16, 18-36.
NAS, Inc., Report Entitled "Forces on an Electrodynamic Tether Power Generator Earth Orbiting Satellite", Jan. 8, 1986.
Roberts Thomas G.
Webster Lee O.
Wilkinson Edward L.
Avila Stephen P.
Basinger Sherman D.
Bush Freddie M.
Chang Hay Kyung
Deaton James T.
LandOfFree
Tether power generator for earth orbiting satellites does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Tether power generator for earth orbiting satellites, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Tether power generator for earth orbiting satellites will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2344110