Electrical energy management and attitude control system for a satellite
US6439510B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 30, 2000 |
| Grant date | Aug 27, 2002 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 30, 2020 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB64G1/428
- WIPO fieldTransport
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A system for managing electrical energy and for controlling attitide of a satellite has an attitude control unit which controls a plurality of reaction wheels oriented about different axes for instance three wheels. An on-board electricity power supply network has a solar array, a payload and a storage unit connected to a power line. The storage unit comprises a buffer supercapacitor and one inertia wheel unit with a respective motor/generator and typically two contra-rotating wheels. Interchanges between the storage units and the power supply line are controlled by a regulator which attenuates power demand transients and thus torque transients on the inertia wheel or wheels.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.