IP Library › Granted Patent US 10,228,248
Granted Patent B2
US 10,228,248 · App. 15/013,947 · Granted Mar 12, 2019

Hybrid power source and control moment gyroscope

Inventor: Christopher C. Veto (Huntington Beach, CA)
Assignee: The Boeing Company
G01C19/10B63B39/04B64G1/285
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 10,228,248
App. No.
15/013,947
Granted
Mar 12, 2019
Kind
B2
Abstract

A hybrid power source and control moment gyroscope (“HPCMG”) is disclosed. The HPCMG includes a control moment gyroscope (“CMG”), a first conductive bearing, and a second conductive bearing. The CMG includes a first transverse gimbal assembly, a central mass that produces a voltage potential, and a second gimbal assembly rotationally connected to the first transverse gimbal assembly. The first transverse gimbal assembly is rotationally connected to the central mass along a first axis of rotation and the central mass is configured to spin about the first axis of rotation and the first transverse gimbal assembly is configured to rotate about a second axis of rotation of the second gimbal assembly. The first conductive bearing rotationally connects the central mass with the first position of the first transverse gimbal assembly along the first axis of rotation.

Claims (25)

1. A hybrid power source and control moment gyroscope “HPCMG” apparatus, the apparatus comprising:

a control moment gyroscope “CMG” including

a first transverse gimbal assembly,

a central mass that produces a voltage potential, and

a second gimbal assembly rotationally connected to the first transverse gimbal assembly,

wherein the first transverse gimbal assembly is rotationally connected to the central mass at a first position of the first transverse gimbal assembly and a second position of the first transverse gimbal assembly along a first axis of rotation and

wherein the central mass is configured to spin about the first axis of rotation and the first transverse gimbal assembly is configured to rotate about a second axis of rotation at a first position of the second gimbal assembly;

a first conductive bearing at the first position of the first transverse gimbal assembly, wherein the first conductive bearing rotationally connects the central mass with the first position of the first transverse gimbal assembly along the first axis of rotation; and

a second conductive bearing at the second position of the first transverse gimbal assembly, wherein the second conductive bearing rotationally connects the central mass with the second position of the first transverse gimbal assembly along the first axis of rotation,

wherein the first conductive bearing and second conductive bearing are in signal communication with the central mass,

wherein the central mass is a power source that includes a plurality of layers, and

wherein all of the layers of the plurality of layers are in signal communication to each other such that every pair of adjacent layers within the plurality of layers are electrically connected in series.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein each layer of the plurality of layers is a capacitive disk or a disk having a battery cell.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein each layer of the plurality of layers may have a layer thickness equal to between approximately 0.05 cm to approximately 2.0 cm.

4. The apparatus of claim 2 , wherein each layer of the plurality of layers is a battery cell chosen from the group consisting of a nickel-metal hydride battery cell “NiMH”, lithium-ion “Li-ion” battery cell, and nickel cadmium “NiCd” battery cell.

5. The apparatus of claim 4 , wherein the central mass is one of

a cylindrical central mass, wherein each layer of the plurality of layers is configured as a constant-diameter disk, and

a spherical central mass, wherein the plurality of layers includes a plurality of variable-diameter disks.

6. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein a positive terminal is in signal communication with the first conductive bearing and a negative terminal is in signal communication with the second conductive bearing.

7. The apparatus of claim 2 , further including a high-rate motor coupled to the central mass and the first transverse gimbal assembly, wherein the high-rate motor is configured to spin the central mass at a high rate along the first axis of rotation.

8. The apparatus of claim 7 , furthering including a torque motor coupled to the first transverse gimbal assembly and the second gimbal assembly, wherein the torque motor is configured to control the rotation of the first transverse gimbal assembly along the second axis of rotation.

9. The apparatus of claim 8 , further including

a rate sensor attached to the first transverse gimbal assembly, wherein the rate sensor is configured to determine a rotation speed of central mass when the central mass is spinning along the first axis of rotation and

an angular displacement sensor attached to the second gimbal assembly, wherein the angular displacement sensor is configured to determine an angle of deflection of the first transverse gimbal assembly relative to the second gimbal assembly as the first transverse gimbal assembly rotates along the second axis of rotation.

10. The apparatus of claim 9 , wherein the HPCMG is attached to a housing of a vehicle, wherein the vehicle is chosen from the group consisting of a submersible marine vehicle, a surface marine vehicle, an aircraft, and a spacecraft.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Feb 2, 2016
From: VETO, CHRISTOPHER C.
To: THE BOEING COMPANY
Reel/Frame 037650/0270 →
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20170219347A1 · Aug 3, 2017