JP2009190661A - Protective cover for optical apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To solve a problem of a satellite mounting an optical apparatus wherein a protective cover attached to prevent contamination becomes needless for the satellite when using the optical apparatus, still disposal of it on an orbit is not allowed from a view point of preventing a space debris and its mounting space is regarded as a dead space as the protective cover is mounted throughout an operation period of the satellite. <P>SOLUTION: In the protective cover for covering a visual field of the optical apparatus on launching the satellite, the protective cover is openably and closably supported, an developing part for developing the protective cover after launching the satellite is provided and observation equipment is mounted in an inside surface of the protective cover so that the dead space of the protective cover for preventing contamination is effectively utilized. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a protective cover for covering an optical field of view of an optical device mounted on a satellite.

  Conventionally, in satellites equipped with optical devices, measures for performance deterioration due to contamination (hereinafter referred to as contamination) such as dust or dust at the time of launching the satellite are an important issue. For the purpose of preventing the performance deterioration of the optical device due to this contamination, a protective cover that covers the lens barrel of the optical device is attached, and the protective cover is removed after launching the satellite (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

JP 2000-108999 A

  Contamination is emitted from each part of the satellite and adheres to the lower temperature part. Optical devices used in satellites tend to be contaminated when the satellite is launched because the lens part is cold. As a countermeasure against this, the protective cover is attached to the optical device. However, after the protective cover is deployed from the optical sensor, nothing is used and it is not necessary for the satellite.

  However, from the viewpoint of preventing space debris, the actual situation is that the protective cover of the optical device cannot be discarded in orbit and is mounted until the satellite operation is completed.

  Mounting what is not necessary for the normal operation of the satellite is a dead weight and a dead space in the normal operation. For this reason, the presence or absence of a protective cover for optical devices that do not have a function during normal operation becomes a serious problem for satellites that are required to be lighter or that have insufficient space.

  The present invention has been made to solve such a problem, and has an object to provide another function to a protective cover for preventing contamination of an optical device and to effectively use the mounting space after launching a satellite. To do.

  A protective cover for an optical device according to the present invention is a hood cover that is attached to an optical device and has an opening in the field of view of the optical device, and a protective cover whose inner surface covers the opening of the hood cover when a satellite is launched. An unfolding portion for supporting the hood cover so that the protective cover can be opened and closed, and deploying the protective cover at a position that does not interfere with the field of view of the optical device after launching the satellite; and an inner surface of the protective cover A sensor that is attached to the periphery of the expanding portion and that observes the surroundings of the satellite in a state where the protective cover is expanded.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to effectively use a space for mounting on a satellite by using, as a sensor (observation device) or an antenna, a protective cover for preventing contamination of an optical device that becomes unnecessary after deployment.

Embodiment 1 FIG.
FIG. 1 is a view showing a satellite equipped with a protective cover for optical equipment according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.
In the figure, the satellite 1 carries an optical device 10, and a hood cover 2 having an opening in the optical field of view of the optical device 10 is attached to the front surface of the optical device 10. This opening is provided at the front end of the hood cover 2, and a protective cover 3 is mounted on the front surface of the front end. The protective cover 3 covers the visual field of the optical device 10 until the satellite 1 is put into orbit when the satellite 1 is launched. Accordingly, contamination that is mixed in the optical component 11 such as a lens, a light transmitting filter, or an optical element provided in the optical device 10 is prevented. An environmental monitor sensor 9 is attached to the protective cover 3. Further, the hood cover 2 prevents stray light incident on the field of view of the optical device and prevents contamination from entering the optical component 11. After the satellite 1 is launched, the protective cover 3 is unfolded and the opening of the hood cover 2 is opened as shown in FIG. The environment monitor sensor 9 monitors the surrounding environment of the satellite. The environmental monitor sensor 9 preferably has no directivity within the viewing angle.

In general, as represented by “Hubble Space Telescope” and “Hinode”, a hood cover and a protective cover for preventing contamination are mounted on the optical apparatus. Conventionally, the protective cover is a dead space.
On the other hand, in order to mount a sensor for monitoring an on-orbit environment as represented by a dose monitor, a mounting position of the sensor must be secured on the outer periphery of the satellite. However, the environmental monitor sensor is not a device that can be mounted anywhere if there is a mounting location, but must be a mounting position that secures the field of view of the sensor device, and there are significant restrictions on mounting the device.

FIG. 2 is a view showing a state in which the protective cover 3 according to the first embodiment of the present invention is closed, and FIG. 3 is a view showing a state in which the protective cover 3 is unfolded.
In FIG. 2, the protective cover 3 is attached to the hood cover 2 and is supported by the hinge 6 so as to be openable and closable with respect to the hood cover 2. Before the launch of the satellite 1, the protective cover 3 is locked at a position covering the opening of the hood cover 2 in a state where the rotation by the deploying portion 7 is stopped. When the protective cover 3 is closed, the inner surface (back surface) of the protective cover 3 faces the optical device 10, and the outer surface (front surface) of the protective cover 3 is exposed to outer space and faces the outside of the satellite. The environmental monitor sensor 9 is attached to the inner side surface of the protective cover 3. When the protective cover 3 is closed, the environmental monitor sensor 9 is positioned so as to face the opening of the hood cover 2, and the environmental monitor sensor 9 is configured by the inner surface of the protective cover 3 and the opening of the hood cover 2. Stored in the space. With this configuration, by closing the protective cover 3, it is possible to suppress adhesion of contamination not only to the optical component 11 but also to the environmental monitor sensor 9.

  In FIG. 3, after the satellite 1 is launched from the ground and put into orbit, the deployment unit 7 operates to deploy the protective cover 3 to the hood cover 2. The protective cover 3 is unfolded to a position that does not obstruct the optical field of view of the optical device 10 and is locked in a state where rotation by the unfolding portion 7 is stopped. In the example shown in the figure, it is deployed to a position parallel to the opening surface of the hood cover 2 (to a position where the deployment angle is approximately 180 degrees). The deployment portion 7 is configured to include an actuator such as a motor or a coil spring and a locking mechanism. Since the detailed structure of the expansion part 7 is not the main point of the invention, a detailed description thereof will be omitted.

  As shown in the drawing, an environmental monitor sensor 9 is fixed around the hinge 6 and the developing portion 7 on the inner surface of the protective cover 3. Since the protective cover 3 is made of a thin composite material for the purpose of weight reduction, the rigidity is small. For this reason, the inertia of the environmental monitor sensor 9 acts greatly due to the change in the attitude of the satellite 1, and when the protective cover 3 is deformed, the line of sight of the environmental monitor sensor 9 changes greatly. In order to suppress this deformation, it is preferable to install the environmental monitor sensor 9 in the vicinity of the joint with the hinge 6 that supports the protective cover 3. Thereby, the line-of-sight change of the environmental monitor sensor 9 can be relatively stabilized. Of course, if the environmental monitor sensor 9 is small in weight and inertia, the deformation action on the protective cover 3 can be ignored. Therefore, as in the environmental monitor sensor 9b shown in FIG. Needless to say, a plurality of other sensors may be installed at a distance from the sensor.

Here, when the protective cover 3 is unfolded, the visual field 15 of the optical device 10 is secured,
The inner surface of the protective cover 3 can secure a field of view in the same direction as the field of view 15. Since the environmental monitor sensor 9 is provided on the inner surface of the protective cover 3, the visual field 16 of the environmental monitor sensor 9 can be secured in the same direction as the visual field 15. At this time, since the environmental monitor sensor 9 is disposed at the tip of the hood cover 2, the visual field 15 of the optical device 10 and the visual field 16 of the environmental monitor sensor 9 do not interfere with each other. There is no interference with the hood cover 2. That is, the field of view of the optical device itself can be secured, and the deployed protective cover 3 can also secure the field of view, so that the problem of field interference does not occur.

  Thus, the protective cover 3 for preventing contamination that covers the field of view of the optical device 10 when the satellite is launched is supported so that the protective cover 3 can be opened and closed, and the deploying portion 7 that deploys the protective cover 3 after the satellite is launched is provided for protection. By mounting the environmental monitor sensor 9 as an observation device on the inner surface of the cover 3, it is possible to effectively utilize the dead space of the protective cover 3 for preventing contamination.

  As described above, in the first embodiment, the hood cover attached to the optical device and having an opening in the optical field of the optical device, and the inner surface covers the opening of the hood cover when the satellite is launched. A protective cover, an opening portion that supports the hood cover so that the protective cover can be opened and closed, and deploys the protective cover at a position that does not interfere with the optical field of view of the optical device after launching the satellite; and the protective cover Protective cover for optical equipment, provided with an observation device such as an environmental monitor sensor that is attached to the inner surface of the inner surface of the inner surface of the satellite and monitors the surrounding environment of the satellite with the protective cover deployed. Configure.

  With this configuration, a limited number of satellites can be used by placing them in orbit, and using the dead space occupied by the protective cover for preventing contamination of optical equipment that is no longer required after deployment. The mounting space can be used effectively and the mounting restrictions of the equipment can be reduced.

In addition, this makes it possible to use a protective cover that is no longer necessary as a sensor mounting component and to mount an extra sensor (observation device) such as an environmental monitor sensor, thereby enabling multipurpose satellite operation.
Needless to say, a plurality of environmental monitor sensors may be mounted on the inner surface of the protective cover 3.

Embodiment 2. FIG.
FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a second embodiment according to the present invention, and is a diagram showing an example in which an evaluation test piece 12 is mounted on the protective cover 3.
In the figure, when a material test such as a deterioration test of a heat control material is performed on a track, a test piece for evaluation is used. In the second embodiment, the mounting position of the evaluation test piece 12 is secured by mounting the evaluation test piece 12 on the inner surface of the protective cover 3. This effectively uses the space for mounting the satellite and reduces the mounting restrictions on the equipment. In addition, a multipurpose satellite operation can be performed only by using a part that originally becomes a dead space.

Embodiment 3 FIG.
FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example in which a sensor (observation device) is mounted on a hood cover 2 for preventing stray light according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention. In the figure, a sensor 19 such as a star sensor, a sun sensor, or an environmental monitor sensor is mounted on the hood cover 2. The sensor 19 is arranged so that the field of view 16 is directed outward from the outer periphery of the hood cover 2.

  Usually, the hood cover 2 provided for preventing stray light to the optical apparatus is used for the purpose of preventing stray light, and is not used for other purposes. That is, the hood cover 2 for preventing stray light is only required to prevent even stray light on the lens.

  However, according to the third embodiment, the mounting space of the satellite is reduced by mounting the sensor 19 and the evaluation test piece 12 for testing material degradation on the orbit on the outer periphery of the hood cover 2 for preventing stray light. It can be used effectively. In addition, by using the outer peripheral surface of the hood cover 2 as a mounting space, which has been a dead space, a multipurpose satellite operation can be performed.

Embodiment 4 FIG.
FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a configuration in which an antenna 14 is provided instead of the environmental monitor sensor 9 in the protective cover 3 according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention.
In the figure, the protective cover 3 according to the fourth embodiment has an antenna mirror surface of the antenna 14 on the inner side surface, and after the protective cover 3 is deployed, the inner side surface functions as an antenna. As a result, the field of view 19 of the antenna is obtained such that the inner surface of the protective cover 3 faces the outside of the satellite 1 in the same direction as the field of view 15 of the optical device 10. In the figure, other configurations are the same as those in the first embodiment. In addition to the configuration of the first embodiment, it is needless to say that the antenna 14 of the fourth embodiment may be provided.

  Usually, a satellite-mounted antenna used for communication with the earth or inter-satellite communication is mounted at a position different from the mounting surface of the optical device 10 on the satellite. Such an antenna is stored at the time of launch, and is deployed and used on a track. When the antenna is housed, no device can be mounted in the antenna housing area, and the antenna housing area becomes a dead space of the satellite. This dead space has become a mounting constraint on the arrangement of satellite devices, like the protective cover for preventing contamination in optical devices.

  However, in the fourth embodiment, the protective cover 3 with the antenna 14 is provided, and the protective cover for preventing contamination in the optical device and the function of the antenna are combined, thereby protecting the optical device from contamination during storage. After deployment, the inside space of the protective cover is used as an antenna, and both dead spaces are used. This effectively uses the space for mounting the satellite and reduces the mounting restrictions on the equipment. In addition, multipurpose satellite operation can be performed by effectively using a part that originally becomes a dead space.

It is a figure which shows the satellite carrying the protective cover for optical devices by Embodiment 1 which concerns on this invention. It is a figure which shows the state which the protective cover by Embodiment 1 of this invention closed. It is a figure which shows the state which the protective cover by Embodiment 1 of this invention developed. It is a figure which shows the example which mounted the test piece for evaluation on the protective cover by Embodiment 2 of this invention. It is a figure which shows the example which mounted the sensor in the hood cover for stray light prevention by Embodiment 3 which concerns on this invention. It is a figure which shows the structure provided with the antenna in the protective cover 3 by Embodiment 4 which concerns on this invention.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Satellite, 2 Hood cover, 3 Protection cover, 4 Optical equipment, 6 Hinge, 7 Expanding part, 9 Environmental monitor sensor, 12 Test piece for evaluation, 13 Hood cover, 14 Protection cover with antenna

Claims (3)

A hood cover attached to an optical device and having an opening in the optical field of view of the optical device;
When the satellite is launched, a protective cover whose inner surface covers the opening of the hood cover;
The protective cover is supported to be openable and closable with respect to the hood cover, and after launching the satellite, a deployment part that deploys the protective cover at a position that does not interfere with the optical field of view of the optical device;
A sensor for observing the surroundings of the satellite in the state where the protective cover is deployed in the state where the protective cover is deployed on the inner surface of the protective cover
Protective cover for optical equipment. A hood cover attached to an optical device and having an opening in the optical field of view of the optical device;
When the satellite is launched, a protective cover whose inner surface covers the opening of the hood cover;
The protective cover is supported to be openable and closable with respect to the hood cover, and after launching the satellite, a deployment part that deploys the protective cover at a position that does not interfere with the optical field of view of the optical device;
An antenna that is provided on an inner surface of the protective cover and that faces the predetermined direction in a state where the protective cover is unfolded;
Protective cover for optical equipment. 3. The protective cover for an optical apparatus according to claim 1, wherein another sensor or an evaluation test piece is attached to an inner surface of the protective cover or an outer periphery of the hood cover.

Images