Patent ID: 6019319
Filing Date: 2000-02-01
Classification: B64G,F16C,H02J,Y02E

Abstract:
A spacecraft momentum wheel energy storage and attitude correction device, said device operatively associated with solar panel collector means on said spacecraft, said device comprising two energy storage wheels arranged to rotate in opposite directions, and means for increasing the rotational speed of said two wheels in response to energy collected by said solar collector means for storing electrical energy in said rotating wheels,each of said two energy storage wheels comprising a semi-passive magnetic bearing suspension system.each semi-passive magnetic bearing suspension system comprising permanent magnet radial stabilization means operatively associated with each of said wheels,each of said wheels comprising a rotor mounted in a housing for relative rotation around a stator in said housing, and active magnetic thrust bearing means for centering said rotor in said housing, said active thrust bearing means being operatively associated with said permanent magnet radial stabilization means,said permanent magnet radial stabilization means adapted to provide automatic caging by applying a force for displacing said rotor into a caging surface protecting said rotor when power is not being supplied to said active magnetic thrust bearing means and said rotor is not centered in said housing.