Spacecraft power system

• US 6,459,232 B1
• Filed: 02/20/2002
• Issued: 10/01/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 02/20/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Air Force Government of The United States of America As Represented By The Secretary
• Original Assignee: United States Of America As Represented By The Secretary Of The Air Force
• Inventors: Lai, Shu T.
• Primary Examiner(s): Tso, Edward H.
• Assistant Examiner(s): LUK, LAWRENCE W
• Application Number:
  US10/077,991
• Time in Patent Office: 223 Days
• Field of Search: 320/101, 244/159, 244/158, 244/173, 335/216
• US Class Current: 320/101
• CPC Class Codes: B64G 1/421 Non-solar power generation
• CPC Class Codes: B64G 1/546 shielding electronic equipment
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/44 Methods for charging or discharging circuits for charging H02J7/00
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/46 Accumulators structurally combined with charging apparatus circuits for charging H02J7/00
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/32 for charging batteries from a charging set comprising a non-electric prime mover rotating at constant speed
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/10 Energy storage using batteries

Abstract

A spacecraft power system utilizing a novel method for recharging batteries utilizing the ambient space plasma and at least two separate surface materials having different material properties is disclosed. This power system provides increased power and reduces electrical potential build-up of the spacecraft, thereby reducing the power needed from solar array panels and protecting sensitive electrical components and telemetry signals from damage or disturbance.

Claims

1. A spacecraft power system, comprising:

a first surface material of a spacecraft exposed to an ambient space plasma whereby said first surface material accumulates a first charge potential relative to the space plasma where the temperature exceeds the critical temperature;

a second surface material of the spacecraft, having a different critical temperature than said first surface material, exposed to the space plasma whereby said second surface material accumulates a second charge potential, relative to both the first charge potential and to the space plasma where the temperature exceeds the critical temperature; and

a rechargeable battery source in electrical communication with said first surface material and said second surface material for accumulating electrical charge.

2. The spacecraft power system as defined in claim 1, further comprising:

a fuse; and

means for electrically connecting said fuse between said rechargeable battery source and said first surface material whereby said fuse blocks any electrical flow between said first surface material and said battery source whenever the electrical flow exceeds a predetermined value.

3. The spacecraft power system as defined in claim 1, further comprising:

a variable resistor; and

means for electrically connecting said variable resistor between said rechargeable battery source and said first surface material whereby said variable resistor may increase the electrical resistance of electrical flow between said first surface material and said rechargeable battery source.

4. The spacecraft power system as defined in claim 1, further comprising:

a variable resistor in electrical communication between said first surface material and said rechargeable battery source; and

a fuse in electrical communication between said first surface material and said rechargeable battery source.

5. The spacecraft power system as defined in claim 1, further comprising:

a variable resistor in electrical communication between said first surface material and said rechargeable battery source;

a variable resistor in electrical communication between said second surface material and said rechargeable battery source;

a fuse in electrical communication between said first surface material and said rechargeable battery source; and

a fuse in electrical communication between said second surface material and said rechargeable battery source.

6. A method of harnessing power from an ambient space plasma, comprising the steps of:

exposing a first surface material to an ambient space plasma;

exposing a second surface material, having a different critical temperature than said first surface material, to the ambient space plasma; and

providing at least one battery, having non-zero capacitance, in electrical communication between said first surface material and said second surface material.

7. The method as defined in claim 6, further comprising the step of controlling current flow by inserting a variable resistor between said first surface material and said at least one battery.

8. The method as defined in claim 6, further comprising the step of protecting said at least one battery from excessive current by inserting a fuse between said first surface material and said at least one battery.

9. A method of discharging potentially harmful electrical charge potential from a spacecraft in an ambient space plasma, comprising the steps of:

exposing a first surface material to the ambient space plasma;

exposing a second surface material, having a different critical temperature than said first surface material, to the ambient space plasma; and

providing at least one battery, having non-zero capacitance, in electrical communication between said first surface material and said second surface material.

10. The method as defined in claim 9, further comprising the step of controlling current flow by inserting a variable resistor between said first surface material and said at least one battery.

11. The method as defined in claim 9, further comprising the step of protecting said at least one battery from excessive current by inserting a fuse between said first surface material and said at least one battery.