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

摘要

Embodiments of control moment gyroscopes (CMGs 20) are provided, as are embodiments of methods (100) for fabricating CMGs (20). In one embodiment, a CMG (20) includes a stator housing (56), an inner gimbal assembly (IGA 24), and a torque motor (58) configured to rotate the IGA (24) about a gimbal axis (60) to selectively generate a desired output torque during CMG operation. The IGA (24) includes, in turn, an IGA support structure (28) rotatably coupled to the stator housing (56), a CMG rotor (22) rotatably mounted to the IGA support structure (28), and a spin motor (48, 50) coupled to the IGA support structure (28) and configured to rotate the monolithic CMG rotor about a spin axis (52). The CMG rotor (22) is formed as a monolithic body comprising a rotor shaft (34), a rotor rim (72), and a plurality of torsionally-stiff radial spokes (74).