Control moment gyroscopes including torsionally-stiff spoked rotors and methods for the manufacture thereof

摘要

Embodiments of control moment gyroscopes (CMGs) are provided, as are embodiments of a method for fabricating CMGs. In one embodiment, a CMG includes a stator housing, an inner gimbal assembly (IGA), and a torque motor coupled to the stator housing and configured to rotate the IGA about a gimbal axis to selectively generate a desired output torque during operation of the CMG. The IGA includes, in turn, an IGA support structure rotatably coupled to the stator housing, a monolithic CMG rotor rotatably mounted to the IGA support structure, and a spin motor coupled to the IGA support structure and configured to rotate the monolithic CMG rotor about a spin axis.

主权项

1. A control moment gyroscope (CMG), comprising:
a stator housing; an inner gimbal assembly (IGA), comprising:
an IGA support structure rotatably coupled to the stator housing;a monolithic CMG rotor rotatably mounted to the IGA support structure; anda spin motor coupled to the IGA support structure and configured to rotate the monolithic CMG rotor about a spin axis; and a torque motor coupled to the stator housing and configured to rotate the IGA support structure about a gimbal axis to selectively generate a desired output torque during operation of the CMG; wherein the monolithic CMG rotor comprises a rotor rim, a rotor shaft, and a plurality of torsionally-stiff radial spokes integrally joined to the rotor rim and the rotor shaft as a single piece; and wherein each of the plurality of torsionally-stiff radial spokes is joined to the rotor shaft at a first spoke-shaft joinder interface and at a second spoke-shaft joinder interface, the first spoke-shaft joinder interface located closer to a first end of the rotor shaft than to the gimbal axis, and the second spoke-shaft joinder interface located closer to a second opposing end of the rotor shaft than to the gimbal axis.