Electrical power distribution on space based radar satellites

The radar payload on a space-based radar (SBR) satellite could require tens of kilowatts of power distributed to many small loads over a large area. This poses special problems for the power distribution and control system (PDCS). A study that examined the power requirements of an SBR spacecraft is reported. A baseline prime power system, generating about 30 kW, was derived. The proposed distribution network would transmit 240 V at 20 kHz. The voltage would be downconverted in one converter for about 100 transmit/receive modules. The design considerations are discussed, and the baseline PDCS is described     

Electrical power on a 30 kW space-based radar satellite

An electrical power system for a space-based radar satellite is described. When the radar is on, its transmitter needs an average DC power of 30 kW. The problem of distributing the power efficiently in pulses to many transmit/receive modules is addressed. System requirements include a high-voltage battery and transmission line, load-sharing between the solar array, and the battery during sunlit periods, and a 25-kW solar array. A scaled-down version of the power system for a proof-of-concept demonstration is described     

High-frequency AC power distribution in Space Station

A utility-type, 20-kHz, AC power distribution system for the space station employing resonant power-conversion techniques is presented. The system converts raw DC voltage from photovoltaic cells or three-phase, low-frequency AC voltage from a solar dynamic generator into a regulated, 20-G kHz AC voltage for distribution among various loads. Operations of the components of the system such as driver inverter, DC receiver, bidirectional receiver, and three-phase AC receiver are discussed. EASY5 computer modeling and simulations were performed to study the local and global performance of the system. Simulation results show that the system has fast response and good transient behavior. The AC bus voltage is effectively regulated using the phase-control scheme, which is demonstrated with both line and load variations. The feasibility of paralleling the outputs of driver modules is illustrated with the driver modules synchronized and sharing a common feedback loop. A high-frequency, sinusoidal AC voltage is generated in the three-phase, AC input case, when the driver modules are phased 120° away from one another and their outputs are connected in series     

Nonsteady behaviour of solar dynamic power systems with Stirling cycle for space stations

In the first part of this paper, a solar dynamic power system with a Stirling engine for space station application is described. Its unsteady behaviour is theoretically modelled and numerically simulated for four representative orbit configurations. The results are compared to that of a solar dynamic power module with a Brayton gas turbine.In the second part, it is shown that the complex nonsteady behaviour of solar dynamic power modules with either the Brayton cycle or Stirling cycle can be analysed in a simplified way with sufficient accuracy for practical purposes on the basis of parametrizations and simple energy balances.     

International Space Station power storage upgrade planned

As the Earth-orbit International Space Station (ISS) grows, it needs more power which is generated by solar panels. For periods in which the planet Earth occults sunlight, energy is stored in the biggest set of batteries ever flown in space. Reliability of power is important in a space station because a failure requires costly launch of replacement components. Even greater importance results when astronauts work in the station. A power failure that causes the astronauts to perish would be a very serious event. The first battery-containing "integrated equipment module" was launched November 30, 2000 and installed on port 6 of the International Space Station. Two more modules will be launched by the United States; to be launched in 2004 is the European Space Agency's "attached COLUMBUS APM laboratory," which will have its own power system. Unexpected battery-related events occurred in the integrated equipment module during its first year-and-a-half in orbit. The problems and their solutions were described in papers presented at the 37/sup th/ Intersociety Energy Conversion Engineering Conference. Since the International Space Station carries more battery cells than any other spacecraft, the in-flight performance data from its battery assembly can be useful to engineers who design power supplies for other spacecraft. We, therefore, summarize the battery development process, the adopted design, and an unexpected in-flight battery degradation and its correction.     

高空驻留太阳能飞机主动式光伏组件面功率特性研究

 光伏组件面功率特性是影响太阳能飞机性能指标的关键因素之一。首先建立了考虑光伏组件表面温度、太阳能飞机飞行高度、纬度及一年四季等因素的光伏组件面功率模型,分析了光伏组件在一年范围内的日均直射、日均水平面功率随飞行高度、纬度和季节等关键设计指标参数的变化规律,对比研究了3种跟踪采能方式下的主动式光伏组件(TPM)的逐时、日均面功率特性。结果表明:在一天的光照时间内和全年范围内,主动式光伏组件能显著提高光伏组件的面功率特性。然后,参考了典型的太阳能飞机"Helios"和"Zephyr",综合考虑能源与气动特性,初步设计了一种采用主动式光伏组件的高空驻留太阳能飞机布局方案,通过分析其日均净面功率特性得出:合理设计主动式光伏组件,可以显著提高太阳能飞机的日均净面功率约32%~66%,甚至可达116%。这些结论均说明,从采能效率和气动特性两方面综合来说,所提出的基于主动式光伏组件的布局设计思想在高空驻留太阳能飞机总体布局设计时具有良好的应用优势。     

POWOW: power without wires: a SEP concept for space exploration

Electric propulsion has emerged as a cost-effective solution to a wide range of satellite applications. Deep Space 1 successfully demonstrated electric propulsion as the primary propulsion source for a satellite. The POWOW concept is a solar-electric propelled spacecraft capable of significant cargo and short trip times for traveling to Mars. It would enter aerosynchronous orbit and from there, beam power to surface installations via lasers. The concept has been developed with industrial partner expertise in high efficiency solar cells, advanced concentrator modules, innovative arrays, and high power electric propulsion systems. The latest version of the spacecraft, the technologies used, and trip times to Mars are presented. The POWOW spacecraft is a general purpose solar electric propulsion system that uses new technologies that are directly applicable to commercial and government spacecraft with power levels ranging from a LEO power level of 4 kW up to GEO spacecraft about 1 MW. The system is modular, expandable, and amenable to learning curve cost projection methods     

飞行状态对太阳能飞机中组件性能的影响

基于光伏组件产生功率模型，研究了太阳能飞机中飞行速度、高度、时间及区域等状态参数影响组件性能的规律。以单晶硅组件及Xihe太阳能飞机为研究对象，当飞机飞行速度增加时，组件产生的功率随之增加但趋于饱和。原因在于速度的增加能有效降低组件的表面温度，但提升是有限的。飞机所需的功率随飞行速度呈现指数增加，且组件产生的功率与飞机所需的功率有能量平衡点。组件产生的功率随飞行高度的增加而增加，但有饱和的趋势。原因在于，当飞行高度上升，大气温度随之下降，组件表面温度下降；同时海拔越高，大气密度和大气通透率越大，太阳辐射增加，从而组件产生的功率增加了；饱和的原因在于组件本身性能的限制。一天之中，组件产生的功率基本以太阳时12点为中心左右近似对称，中午最强；一年中组件性能在夏季最强，冬季最弱。原因在于组件性能主要由所受太阳辐射决定。随着纬度的增加，组件产生的功率减小。原因在于，纬度越高，太阳高度角越小，组件所能接受到的太阳辐射也就越小；纬度越低，组件总产生功率越高且平稳。纬度低的地区更适合太阳能飞机的飞行。该文为太阳能飞机的能量分配、长时间驻空提供一定的帮助。     

SYNTHETIC STRESS LIFE TESTING OF MECHATRONIC PRODUCTS UNDER VARIABLE STRESS SPECTRUM

Mechatronic products usually endure the variable stress spectrum when they operate in certain operational condition and environmental condition, which obey the Weibull distribution. In accordance with the features of mechatronic product, this paper analyzes the failure mode, its corresponding sensitive stress and the design principles of life testing profiles. Based on the above analyses, this paper presents a synthetic stress life testing method based on the hybrid Weibull distribution and its statistical method under variable stress spectrum to evaluate the reliability and life indices of mechatronic products. Because the mechatronic products have many characteristics such as high price, long life and small testing samples, the synthetic stress life testing method under variable load spectrum can simulate the real various spectra, decrease the life testing time and reduce the testing samples. So it is effective to carry out the life testing to mechatronic products. The application results of hydraulic pumps indicate that this method can easily handle the experimental data under variable amplitude spectrum, obtain the high precision parameters point estimation and confidence interval estimation and reduce the testing cost greatly.     

Conception of spacecraft centralized power supply

A reliable power supply for spacecraft is one of the central problems determining the future development of space technology. The traditional solution to this problem implies having an autonomous power plant on board each spacecraft. The most widely used are power plants with solar cells. However, there exists an alternative power supply concept of using a centralized power supply system (CPSS) and power transmission to the user satellites by laser or microwave beams. Use of a CPSS has a number of advantages. In particular, it allows the spacecraft to increase power supply level and service life as well as to decrease the spacecraft mass and cost. However, it sets new physical and technical problems associated with long distance power transmission and requires some changes in spacecraft structure and concepts. The feasibility study of CPSS development and use has to rely on existing or firmly forecastable technologies. An attempt of such an analysis has been done by a group of scientists at Moscow State Aviation Institute during 1994-1996. The very first results have already been published. This paper discusses new results obtained lately regarding a space based CPSS     

First Mars outpost power systems

Research into potential power systems for the First Mars Outpost (FMO) was performed. The author examined a representative mission architecture which was developed by NASA to determine power system requirements. Power system options including nuclear, isotope, photovoltaic (PV), chemical heat engine, and regenerative fuel cell (RFC) concepts were identified for potential Mars surface applications. A top-level characterization study was conducted to determine power system mass and area for each application. It is seen that PV systems are generally not suited for Mars surface applications due to the large surface area required and higher mass than a closed Brayton cycle SP100 reactor system. A reactor is currently being considered by NASA Lewis Research Center to provide power for base architectures including an ISRU (in situ resource utilization). An oxygen/methane powered heat engine would provide 40 kWe of emergency power for the habitat. A dynamic isotope power system (DIPS) is the current choice for a long-duration pressurized rover due to the excessive size of a PV/RFC system and higher mass of a heat engine system. DIPS has advantages for other low power systems due to its neatly immediate availability and flexibility (night or day power; no recharging required)     

Development of a driver board power supply for high power IGBTsused in three-phase inverters

High power IGBTs have been widely used for medium power inverters up to 200 kVA. Their driver circuits often require multiple-output, isolated power supplies. This paper presents a simple flyback power supply especially designed for the driver boards of three-phase IGBT inverters. The detailed circuit diagrams and typical waveforms are reported. Certain performance data are given. The power supplies have been used in 100 kVA inverters for an electric vehicle drive and for a wind turbine inverter     

Wireless power transmission: the key to solar power satellites

Maturing of the enabling technologies has provided much of the infrastructure to support the development of a commercial Solar Power Satellite program. Solar Space Industries was formed to accomplish this goal. The basis of their development plan is to build a Ground Test Installation that will duplicate, in small scale on the Earth, all aspects of the power generating and power transmission systems except for the space environment and the range and size of the energy beam. Space operations issues will be separated from the power generation fixation and verified by testing. Doing the developmental testing on the ground instead of in space will result in a low cost program that can be accomplished in a very short time. The concept is to build a Ground Test Installation that couples an existing 100 kW terrestrial solar cell array to a phased-array wireless power transmitter based on a subarray. Power will be transmitted over a 1-¼ mile range to a receiving antenna and then fed into a commercial utility power grid. The objective is to demonstrate the complete function of the Solar Power Satellites, with the primary issue being the validation of practical wireless power transmission. The key features to demonstrate are: beam control, stability, steering, efficiency, reliability, cost, and safety     

Megahertz power converters for specific power systems

Some of the problems in the development of pulsewidth power converters when the switching frequency is increased from hundreds of kilohertz to tens of megahertz are highlighted. The major goal is the establishment of a ten megahertz power chain designed to operate in a distributed system from a DC power bus of 24 to 48 V. Available components and materials are discussed, and possible topologies-flyback, forward, push-pull forward, and buck converters-are examined. The performance criteria chosen for this analysis are, in the order of preference, output requirements, size and weight, efficiency, and cost     

Taming the West with AC power

Around 1890, the mining industry of Telluride, Colorado, was going broke because of the high cost of fuel for steam power, and alternative sources of power had to be found. The author describes the transition that was made to AC power. A 133 Hz, 3000 V generator was installed with a 6 foot Pelton water wheel at Ames, Colorado, that transmitted power for a distance of 2.65 miles. This was followed by a number of additional installations, and by 1896, the original system of 133 Hz was replaced by the Tesla system that used 60 Hz     

Development of three-phase switch-mode rectifier using single-phase modules

This paper presents a three-phase (3/spl phi/) switch-mode rectifier (SMR) consisting of three 1 /spl phi/ SMRs, two center-tapped autotransformers and three changeover switches. The ac input sides of three modules are /spl Delta/-connected, and their dc output sides are connected in parallel. As any one module fault occurs, the remaining two modules becomes modified T-connected and continuously perform three-phase rectification with good line drawn power quality. When two constituted 1/spl phi/ modules are faulted, the proposed 3/spl phi/ SMR will be operated as 1/spl phi/ SMR. The quantitative and robust voltage regulation controls for the developed SMR are made to consider the effects of changes of system parameters, operating condition, and number of connected modules.     

Tests of a full-sized mechanically rechargeable zinc-air battery inan electric vehicle

A mechanically rechargeable zinc-air battery that has high power density and fast refueling capability is described. The battery is built from modules of 32 or 44 cells connected in series, and the modules can be arranged in any combination of series and parallel connections, and in practical quantity, according to the requirements of the vehicle, motor, and controller. The results of laboratory and in-vehicle tests of a zinc-air battery consisting of two 32-cell modules connected in series, with nominal voltage of 75 V and nominal capacity of 216 Ah, are presented     

电力市场用户侧保险运作探讨

电力市场风险涉及发电侧、电网侧和用户侧三个方面,而解决这些风险的一个强有力的手段就是保险。然而目前保险机构针对发电侧和电网侧的风险推出了相应的解决办法,但是针对用户侧风险却没有成熟的解决方法。基于保险理论,讨论了建立电力市场用户侧保险机制的可行性,进而重点探讨了电力市场用户侧保险机制的确立及其保险费率的厘定。最后,通过制定科学的费率,使投保的用户减少因电力市场风险所带来的损失。     

Peculiarities of the control actuator development on the basis of combined electromechanical modules

The peculiarities of developing the control actuators on the basis of combined electromechanical modules are examined. A technique of calculating and designing the power contour of the control actuator for different purposes in the form of electromechanical module, is presented.     

Single-phase power distribution system power flow and faultanalysis

Alternative methods for power flow and fault analysis of single-phase distribution systems are presented. The algorithms for both power flow and fault analysis utilize a generalized approach to network modeling. The generalized admittance matrix, formed using elements of linear graph theory, is an accurate network model for all possible single-phase network configurations. Unlike the standard nodal admittance matrix formulation algorithms, the generalized approach uses generalized component models for the transmission line and transformer. The standard assumption of a common node voltage reference point is not required to construct the generalized admittance matrix. Therefore, truly accurate simulation results can be obtained for networks that cannot be modeled using traditional techniques