Spacecraft power system architecture to mitigate spacecraft charging effects
US5594325A · kind A · utility
Assignees
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Aug 10, 1995 |
| Grant date | Jan 14, 1997 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Aug 10, 2015 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY02E10/56
- WIPO fieldControl
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A power system architecture for a spacecraft and a method of a power supply for a spacecraft are presented which take advantage of the reduced plasma interaction associated with positive ground high voltage photovoltaic arrays and provide a negative ground power supply for electrical loads of the spacecraft. They efficiently convert and regulate power to the load bus and reduce power system mass and complexity. The system and method ground the positive terminal of the solar arrays to the spacecraft hull, and using a power converter to invert the electric sign, permit a negative ground for the electrical distribution bus and electrical components. A number of variations including a load management system and a battery management system having charging and recharging devices are presented.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.