REACTION WHEEL SYSTEM WITH VERNIER CONTROL ROTOR

摘要

A reaction wheel system (200) is provided that includes at least two rotors (202, 204). The first rotor (202) is the primary rotor that provides the large output torques to the vehicle. The second rotor is a vernier control rotor (204). The primary rotor (202) and vernier control rotor (204) each rotate about a common axis. The vernier control rotor (204) has an inertial mass that is less than the inertial mass of the primary rotor (202), and rotates independently of the primary rotor. Because the vernier control rotor (204) can be rotated independently from the primary rotor, it can be used to significantly improve the performance of the reaction wheel system (200). Specifically, the vernier control rotor (204) is used to provide relatively small output torques. These relatively small output torques can be used to reduce the disturbances created by motor ripple, provide precise torque output control and/or reduce the disturbances created by static friction.