METHOD OF SPACECRAFT SUN BATTERIES POSITION CONTROL AND SYSTEM FOR ITS IMPLEMENTATION Russian patent published in 2008 - IPC B64G1/44 B64G1/24 

FIELD: technological processes.

SUBSTANCE: inventions are related to power supply of spacecrafts (SC). Suggested method includes turning of sun batteries (SB) panels into working position, when the perpendicular to the illuminated SB surface is aligned with the plane that is formed by SB rotation axis and direction to the Sun. At that commencement of approach floe negative effect to the working surface of SB is determined; SB panels are turned until this period of time and SB are returned into the working position on completion of this effect. In the moments of SC illumination by the Sun, the angle is measured between direction to the Sun and direction of SB panels' rotation axis. In the moments when load current value is exceeded by the maximum possible current from SB, SC speed vector direction is measured and area of SB panels projection to the plane that is perpendicular to this vector is measured. If this area exceeds its threshold value, SB panels are turned at the angle that corresponds to the minimum effect of approach flow, with simultaneous provision of SC with power supply. Whenever SC is located in the Earth's shadow, SB panels are turned so that their plane is aligned with SC speed vector. Suggested system contains drives and units that are necessary for SB position control, and it also includes unit of SC illumination moments determination, unit of angle measurement between direction to the Sun and direction of SB turning axis, unit of determination of time points of SB maximum current exceeding load current. It also stipulates for unit of SC speed vector direction measurement, unit of area determination of SB panels projection to the plane that is perpendicular to SC speed vector, and unit of SC orientation control along with SC speed vector direction.

EFFECT: reduces negative effect of approach flow to the surface of sun batteries.

2 cl, 4 dwg