Patent ID: 7407137

Claim:
A satellite power generation and control system, comprising: a first power bus configured to supply one or more loads rated to operate at a first voltage magnitude; a second power bus configured to supply one or more loads rated to operate at a second voltage magnitude that is greater than the first voltage magnitude; an energy storage flywheel; a motor/generator coupled to the energy storage flywheel and including at least first stator windings and second stator windings coupled to the first power bus and the second power bus, respectively, the motor/generator configured to operate in either (i) a motor mode, whereby electrical energy from the first power bus, the second power bus, or both power buses is converted to rotational kinetic energy and supplied to the energy storage flywheel or (ii) a generate mode, whereby rotational kinetic energy from the energy storage flywheel is converted to electrical energy and supplied to the first power bus, the second power bus, or both power buses; and a motor/generator controller adapted to receive one or more command signals and operable, in response thereto, to control operation of the motor/generator in either the motor mode or the generate mode, to thereby selectively supply electrical power to, or draw electrical power from, the first power bus, the second power bus, or both power buses.