US 12,263,959 B2
Space-based circuit-replacing robotic system
Daniel H. Muhleman, El Cajon, CA (US)
Assigned to The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy, Washington, DC (US)
Filed by Naval Information Warfare Center, Pacific, San Diego, CA (US)
Filed on Jun. 26, 2020, as Appl. No. 16/913,364.
Prior Publication US 2021/0403179 A1, Dec. 30, 2021
Int. Cl. B23P 19/00 (2006.01); B23K 1/00 (2006.01); B64G 1/10 (2006.01); B64G 4/00 (2006.01); G01N 21/956 (2006.01); H01L 21/66 (2006.01); B23K 1/005 (2006.01); B23K 101/42 (2006.01); B64G 1/24 (2006.01); H01R 43/02 (2006.01)
CPC B64G 1/1078 (2013.01) [B23K 1/0016 (2013.01); B64G 4/00 (2013.01); G01N 21/95607 (2013.01); H01L 22/20 (2013.01); B23K 1/005 (2013.01); B23K 2101/42 (2018.08); B64G 1/247 (2023.08); B64G 2004/005 (2013.01); H01R 43/0263 (2013.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A system, comprising:
a satellite grasper configured to grasp a satellite having a target circuit attached via solder onto a printed circuit;
an access mechanism configured to remove the printed circuit and/or to provide access to the printed circuit;
a printed circuit orientation device configured to orient the printed circuit such that a sunlight is incident on the printed circuit;
one or more temperature sensors configured to measure a temperature of the printed circuit;
a processor configured to adjust a rate of heating for the solder to match a desired heating rate;
a circuit grasping device configured to position the target circuit for removal and/or replacement; and
an optical shield having an adjustable window, the optical shield being configured to be positioned over the printed circuit, the optical shield being further configured to be adjusted to allow the sunlight to pass substantially only to a designated area of the printed circuit.