초록 ▼

A satellite power regulation and pointing system is disclosed that comprises a power bus (104) and first and second flywheels (114-116) capable of storing rotational energy. Each flywheel (114-118) comprises a flywheel motor/generator (202) for increasing the rotational energy in its associated flyw

A satellite power regulation and pointing system is disclosed that comprises a power bus (104) and first and second flywheels (114-116) capable of storing rotational energy. Each flywheel (114-118) comprises a flywheel motor/generator (202) for increasing the rotational energy in its associated flywheel when storing power in its associated flywheel and for reducing the associated flywheel rotational energy when drawing power from its associated flywheel. The system also includes individual flywheel regulators (108-112) connected to the power bus (104) and to the flywheel motor/generators (202). Each flywheel regulator (108-112) includes a power control circuit (204) that allows power to flow to a flywheel motor/generator (202) from the power bus (104) during an energy storage period and that allows power to flow to the power bus (104) from the flywheel motor/generator (202) during an energy drawing period. The flywheel regulators (108-112) also include feedback control loops (206) connected to the power control circuits (204) and to the power bus (104). The feedback control loops (206) determine the energy storage period and the energy drawing period based upon a predetermined voltage reference (Vref) and a power bus voltage reference (207).

대표청구항 ▼

[ What is claimed is:] [1.]1. A satellite power regulation system comprising:a power bus;a flywheel capable of storing rotational energy coupled to a flywheel controller for increasing said rotational energy when storing power in said flywheel and for reducing said rotational energy when drawing pow

[ What is claimed is:] [1.]1. A satellite power regulation system comprising:a power bus;a flywheel capable of storing rotational energy coupled to a flywheel controller for increasing said rotational energy when storing power in said flywheel and for reducing said rotational energy when drawing power from said flywheel;a flywheel regulator connected to said power bus and to said flywheel controller, said flywheel regulator comprising:a power control circuit that allows power to flow said flywheel controller from said power bus during an energy storage period an that allows power to flow to said power bus from said flywheel controller during an energy drawing period; anda feedback control loop connected to said power control circuit and to said power bus, said feedback control loop providing an output indicative of said energy storage period and said energy drawing period based upon a set point and a power bus voltage reference;wherein said set point is a variable set point to be adjusted during mission life from a beginning-of-life power point to an end-of-life power point based on variable solar array power output during mission life.