Patent ID: 6025815
Filing Date: 2000-02-15
Classification: B64G,F24S,H01Q,Y02E

Abstract:
An actuation device for adjusting structural members on a satellite to be oriented relative to the satellite, the actuation device comprising:(a) two independently operable linear actuators;(b) two guiding rods each of which is linked at one end to a respective one of said linear actuators by means of a cardan link and connected at an opposite end to the structural member by a ball-and-socket joint; and(c) at least one supporting rod,wherein the supporting rod is connected between the satellite and the structural member via ball-and-socket joints; and further wherein the guiding rods and the supporting rod engage points of the structural member that form a polygon, with angular positions of the guiding rods relative to each other and relative to the linear actuators being such that angular displacements of the structural member relative to the satellite can be made about a plurality of axes.