Interlocking, reconfigurable, reconstitutable, reformable cell-based system with nested ring structures

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11155366-B2
Application number	US-201815945617-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Apr 4, 2018
Priority date	Jul 21, 2017
Publication date	Oct 26, 2021
Grant date	Oct 26, 2021

Abstract

Cell-based space systems with nested-ring structures that interlock and can change configuration to support a mission are provided. The cells may self-assemble into a larger structure to carry out a mission. Multiple rotatable rings may be included in a cell, with a payload/control section in the center. The rings may provide power and/or data to trams that move about the rails. Trams may interlock with other cells, carry sensors or other devices, etc. Cells may be stowed in a cell stack that is deployable. Such cell-based systems may have various applications in space, on Earth, other celestial bodies, and underwater.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1. A nested-ring cell, comprising:
an outer ring;
an inner ring located within the outer ring; and
one or more movable trams, each of the one or more movable trams located on and riding along the outer ring or the inner ring and configured to move along at least a portion of the outer ring or the inner ring on which the respective movable tram is located using the respective ring as a track, wherein
the nested-ring cell is a space vehicle.

2. The nested-ring cell of claim 1 , further comprising:
a middle ring located between the outer ring and the inner ring.

3. The nested-ring cell of claim 2 , further comprising:
a shaft connecting the outer ring, the middle ring, and the inner ring, wherein
the outer ring, the middle ring, and the inner ring are rotatably connected to the shaft.

4. The nested-ring cell of claim 3 , further comprising:
outer ring motors, middle ring motors, and inner ring motors, wherein
the outer ring motors, the middle ring motors, and the inner ring motors are configured to facilitate rotation of the outer ring, the middle ring, and the inner ring, respectively.

5. The nested-ring cell of claim 1 , wherein the outer ring and the inner ring are collapsible such that they can be stowed in a flattened configuration and then deployed once the nested-ring cell is in space.

6. The nested-ring cell of claim 1 , wherein the outer ring, the inner ring, or both comprise control electronics configured to control operations of the respective ring or operation of the entire cell.

7. The nested-ring cell of claim 1 , wherein at least one of the one or more movable trams comprises control electronics that are configured to control operation of one or both of the outer ring and the inner ring, or operation of the entire cell.

8. The nested-ring cell of claim 1 , wherein the cell further comprises:
a payload/control section configured to control operations of the cell, wherein
the payload/control section has a flat shape that, in part, facilitates a compact form factor for the cell when in a stowed configuration.

9. The nested-ring cell of claim 8 , wherein the payload/control section comprises at least one propellant storage tank.

10. The nested-ring cell of claim 8 , wherein the payload/control section comprises:
a reaction wheel housing; and
a momentum management system that includes reaction wheels and a momentum dumping system that controls a net angular momentum vector of the payload/control section and enables desaturation of momentum generated by the reaction wheels, wherein
the payload/control section is configured to countermand rotation of the outer ring and/or the inner ring, or a plurality of interconnected cells, via the momentum management system.

11. The nested-ring cell of claim 1 , wherein the outer ring, the inner ring, or both comprises a rail that comprises power and data lines to provide power to and control at least one of the one or more movable trams.

12. The nested-ring cell of claim 1 , wherein the outer ring, the inner ring, or both, comprises:
at least one rotatable nozzle configured to propel the nested-ring cell; and
at least one propellant line configured to provide propellant to the at least one rotatable nozzle.

13. The nested-ring cell of claim 1 , wherein at least one of the one or more movable trams is configured to:
connect to at least one other cell, at least one other tram of another cell, at least one other structure, or any combination thereof;
provide power, data, fuel, heat, or any combination thereof, to at least one other cell;
act as a support structure that holds external components that can be articulated; or
any combination of the above.

14. The nested-ring cell of claim 1 , wherein at least one of the one or more movable trams comprises a linking mechanism that is configured to perform linking operations with linking members of other trams, with other structures, or both.

15. The nested-ring cell of claim 14 , wherein the linking mechanism comprises an electromagnet configured to engage with magnets of rings, trams, or both.

16. The nested-ring cell of claim 15 , wherein the linking mechanism comprises a layered interface comprising hardware and software that provides visual pose estimation for docking, testing of signals and information to be passed between trams, and security against cyber threats.

17. The nested-ring cell of claim 15 , wherein the linking mechanism is motorized and comprises a portion of a hinge joint, a pivot joint, a ball and socket joint, an ellipsoid in socket joint, a saddle joint, plane joint, a mechanical and magnetic interlock, or a spring-loaded ball and groove joint.

18. The nested-ring cell of claim 1 , wherein at least one of the one or more movable trams further comprises circuitry configured to control operation of the respective movable tram and its components.

19. The nested-ring cell of claim 1 , wherein a ring along which at least one of the one or more movable trams moves comprises a rail with a tram retaining section.

20. The nested-ring cell of claim 19 , wherein at least one of the one or more movable trams comprises tram retaining members configured to engage with the tram retaining section of the rail to keep the respective movable tram operably connected to its respective ring.

21. The nested-ring cell of claim 19 , wherein at least one of the one or more movable trams comprises wheels that contact the tram retaining section of the rail and facilitate movement of the respective movable tram along the rail.

22. The nested-ring cell of claim 1 , wherein at least one of the one or more movable trams comprises:
at least one nozzle configured to expel a propellant gas; and
a local propellant tank configured to supply the at least one nozzle with the propellant gas.

23. The nested-ring cell of claim 22 , wherein at least one of the one or more movable trams further comprises:
a respective control valve for each of the at least one nozzles; and
control circuitry configured to control the at least one control valve.

24. The nested-ring cell of claim 1 , wherein at least one of the one or more movable trams comprises:
a motorized hinge operably connected to the respective movable tram and a device, wherein
the hinge enables the device to flip out from the respective movable tram and deploy.

25. The nested-ring cell of claim 24 , wherein the device comprises a lens, a mirror, a shade, a filter, a flip-out sensor, a flip-out angular momentum control device, a patterned electrode that serves as a linear motor, or any combination thereof.

26. The nested-ring cell of claim 1 , wherein at least one of the one or more movable trams comprises:
at least two horn antennas located on different sides of the respective movable tram; and
control electronics operably connected to the at least two horn antennas, wherein
the at least two horn antennas and control electronics are configured to facilitate millimeter wave (mm-Wave) and microwave (μWave) sensing or broadcasting.

27. The nested-ring cell of claim 1 , wherein at least one of the one or more movable trams comprises:
a plurality of imagers or detectors.

28. The nested-ring cell of claim 1 , wherein at least one of the one or more movable trams comprises:
a laser system configured to provide a source laser for LIDAR or optical communications;
a gi

Assignees

• Aerospace Corp

Inventors

• Helvajian Henry

Classifications

• B64G1/6462

  characterised by the means for engaging other vehicles · CPC title

• B64G1/4021

  Tank construction; Details thereof · CPC title

• B64G1/22

  Parts of, or equipment specially adapted for fitting in or to, cosmonautic vehicles · CPC title

• B64G99/00

  Subject matter not provided for in other groups of this subclass · CPC title

• B64G1/10 Primary

  Artificial satellites; Systems of such satellites; Interplanetary vehicles (space shuttles B64G1/14) · CPC title