Importance

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Abstract

An integrated system for providing 3-axis attitude-control, energy-storage, and electrical power in which two counter-rotating inertia-wheels are tandem mounted with rotational axis oriented on and parallel to the longitudinal-axis of an airframe. A horizontal- and vertical-translating support is centrally-located between the wheels and houses a common wheel-bearing mount communicating with and supporting both inward-pointing inertia-wheel shafts. The preferred embodiment further consists of two outwardly-mounted tilt wheel bearing and suspension means, each communicating with and supporting an inertia-wheel outward-pointing shaft. Taken together, these supports and their associated two-axis actuator enable both wheels to be tilted equally in opposite directions to generate a combination of pitch and yaw reaction torque. Further, an electric generator integrally mounted to each inertia-wheel, and an electric load controller connected to each electric generator enable the creation of reaction roll torque. The preferred embodiment further comprises a turbine interface integrally attached to each inertia-wheel, a turbine nozzle associated with each wheel, and a dual gas-generator interface with a gas-generator controller enabling on-demand power input to the energy-storage system. An autopilot and sensor system are used to provide command signals that are processed and converted by this assembly into 3-axis reaction torque that controls the flight direction and orientation of the airframe.

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First Claim