SPACE THERMOMECHANICAL SUN ORIENTATION SYSTEM Russian patent published in 1999 - IPC

FIELD: space engineering; control means for spacecraft, solar batteries, stabilized navigation platforms, etc. SUBSTANCE: system includes thermosensitive elements made from material possessing high temperature expansion coefficient which are combined in orientation mechanisms. Each mechanism has orientable axle and misalignment disk kinematically linked with this axle and above-mentioned elements through antifriction roller over disk. Mechanism are secured to base module of space vehicle by means of its orientable axles. Technological helium elements oriented to Sun are mounted on base modules. In case of disorientation of system relative to Sun, heating temperatures of thermosensitive elements are redistributed and maximum angles of misalignment of disks of respective mechanisms are shifted, thus setting in rotation the orientable axles (at counter-rotation of remaining mechanisms) and consequently returning one or several base modules in Sun oriented position. EFFECT: simplified construction of systems working due to direct use of solar energy. 17 cl, 12 dwg