Spacecraft actuator wheel with integrated battery and fuel storage

摘要

An improved spacecraft actuator wheel is provided which can be operated as a momentum wheel, a reaction wheel or a gimbal. The actuator wheel has a central cavity. One or more battery modules are located within the actuator wheel's central cavity. The battery modules supply power to one or more electronic components affixed to the actuator wheel or mounted on the spacecraft frame via an electrical harness. In addition, the actuator wheel's central cavity is pressurizeable for storing spacecraft propellant which can be controllably diverted to the spacecraft's thrusters through conduits and flow valves.

主权项

1. A spacecraft comprising:
a spacecraft frame; one or more thrusters mounted to said spacecraft frame; one or more electronic components; a plurality of actuator wheels rotatably affixed to said spacecraft frame wherein said actuator wheels are rotatable relative to said spacecraft frame and said one or more thrusters; one or more battery modules affixed to each of said actuator wheels so as to be rotatable with the rotation of said actuator wheel; and an electrical assembly connecting said one or more electronic components and said one or more battery modules for supplying power from said battery modules to said electronic components.