JP2853427B2 - Stellar sensor - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a star sensor, and more particularly to a star sensor mounted on a satellite.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A stellar sensor mounted on an artificial satellite is an indispensable device for obtaining information necessary for performing three-axis attitude stabilization control, and generally includes a hood cover for blocking unnecessary light. , An optical lens system, and a sensor.

[0003]

The above-mentioned conventional star sensor has a means for removing dust and the like which happen to be hidden in the optical lens system from the lens surface in a weightless state on the orbit. As a result, there is a drawback that it is impossible to avoid causing deterioration of the observed image.

An object of the present invention is to provide a stellar sensor capable of eliminating the above-mentioned disadvantages, removing dust adhering to the lens surface, and suppressing deterioration of an observed image.

[0005]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The star sensor of the present invention comprises:
Board satellites, the star sensors which get the information necessary for the attitude control, facing both surfaces of the metal electrodes by vapor deposition
And a power supply metal sheet is connected to one of the metal electrodes.
Combined piezoelectric element and at least close to the optical lens system
Attach the power supply metal sheet surface of one of the piezoelectric elements
Girder, a support for supporting the optical lens system, and a ground station.
These command signals cause the piezoelectric element to generate weak vibration.
Apply a high frequency AC voltage to the piezoelectric element so that
In a drive control unit to be driven, obtain Bei means shake off dust adhering in orbit weightlessness on the surface of the lens, including the said optical lens system.

[0006]

Next, the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view of a star sensor according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The embodiment shown in FIG. 1 has a hood cover 1 for blocking unnecessary light from an optical system, and a sensor element 2 using a CCD or the like for obtaining image data of a visual field as input through the optical system.
And an optical lens system 3, a lens support 4 for supporting the optical lens system 3, a pair of piezoelectric elements 5a and 5b attached to the lens support 4, driving of the piezoelectric elements 5a and 5b, and control of driving. And a drive control unit 6 for performing the operation.

The piezoelectric element can be mounted at one or more positions, as close as possible to the lens of the optical lens system 3 of the lens support 4, and at two positions in FIG.

FIG. 2 shows how the piezoelectric element of FIG. 1 is attached.

A metal electrode 8 is formed by vapor deposition on the lens support 4 and on opposing surfaces of a piezoelectric element 5a which is adhesively bonded by selecting a position close to the lens of the optical lens system 3. Is connected to the power supply wire 10,
A power supply line 10 is connected to the metal electrode 8 on the contact surface side via a power supply metal sheet 9.

Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described.

The drive control unit 6 controls on / off of the operation by a command signal from the ground station, and when commanded on, generates a high-frequency AC voltage for driving the piezoelectric elements 5a and 5b, Piezoelectric element 5 via electric wire 10
A voltage is applied to a pair of metal electrodes 8 opposing a and 5b to generate a vibration having a frequency corresponding to the frequency of the applied high-frequency AC voltage.

The dust adhering to the lens of the optical lens system 3 is wiped off by the vibration of the piezoelectric elements 5a and 5b, whereby the quality deterioration of the acquired image can be suppressed remarkably.

[0015]

As described above, according to the present invention, a piezoelectric element is mounted on a supporting portion of an optical lens system of a star sensor which is mounted on an artificial satellite and obtains information required for attitude control. By applying a voltage to apply slight vibration to the lens and to wipe off dust and the like adhering to the lens surface, there is an effect that the deterioration of the quality of the acquired image due to dust can be fundamentally avoided.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view of one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an acquisition state of the piezoelectric element of FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Hood cover 2 Sensor element 3 Optical lens system 4 Lens support base 5a, 5b Piezoelectric element 6 Drive control part 7 Star 8 Metal electrode 9 Metal sheet 10 Power supply wire

Claims (1)

(57) [Claims] 1. A board satellites, the star sensors which get the information necessary for the posture control, a metal by vapor deposition
Electrodes are formed on opposite sides to supply power to one of the metal electrodes
Close to the piezoelectric element combined with a metal sheet and the optical lens system
The power supply metal shell of at least one of the piezoelectric elements.
Support for supporting the optical lens system with a mounting surface
And the piezoelectric element by a command signal from a ground station.
High-frequency alternating current to the piezoelectric element so that
In a drive control unit for driving by applying a voltage, star sensors, wherein the score drop pay the deposited in orbit weightlessness on the surface of the lens including the optical lens system dust.