IP Library Granted Patent US 10,536,107
Granted Patent B1
US 10,536,107 · App. 16/156,170 · Granted Jan 14, 2020

Satellite modular power supply

Inventors: Andrew Daichi Ning (Yorba Linda, CA); George Lewis Teel (Seal Beach, CA); Brian James Riskas (Nipomo, CA); Darren D. Garber (Ranchos Palos Verdes, CA)
Assignee: Vector Launch Inc.
H02S10/40B64G1/10B64G1/425B64G1/428B64G1/44H01M10/0525H01M10/465H01M10/615H01M10/625H02J7/355H02S40/38H01M2220/20
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 10,536,107
App. No.
16/156,170
Granted
Jan 14, 2020
Kind
B1
Abstract

Various enhanced power supply configurations for satellite devices are discussed herein. In one example, satellite device includes a chassis and a power control module. The satellite device also includes an array of polygonal-shaped power units combined into a geometric arrangement by disposing the polygonal-shaped power units around the power control module within the chassis. In some examples, the polygonal-shaped power units comprise a rhomboid chassis or enclosure that provides arrangement into a hexagonal array when coupled to eight further rhomboid power units. Other polygonal arrays can be formed using arrangements of the repeating polygonal-shaped power units.

Claims (44)

1. A satellite device, comprising:

a chassis;

a power control module; and

an array of polygonal-shaped power units formed into a combined geometric arrangement by disposing the polygonal-shaped power units about the power control module within the chassis;

wherein each of the power units comprise:

a power unit chassis having the polygonal-shaped configuration and configured to hold a plurality of batteries configured to store energy received from at least one photovoltaic solar panel of the satellite device; and

at least one connector configured to receive the energy from the at least one photovoltaic solar panel and provide a unit voltage to the power control module.

2. The satellite device of claim 1 , wherein the power units comprise rhomboid shapes, and wherein the geometric arrangement comprises a hexagonal arrangement formed by a combination of the rhomboid shapes about a central axis.

3. The satellite device of claim 1 , further comprising:

the at least one photovoltaic solar panel coupled to the chassis; and

at least one of the power units configured to receive electrical power from the at least one photovoltaic solar panel and produce a unit voltage to the power control module.

4. The satellite device of claim 3 , wherein the power control module provides at least one output voltage to one or more components of the satellite device.

5. The satellite device of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of batteries each conform to an 18650 form factor and comprise lithium ion cells.

6. The satellite device of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of batteries are configured to condition the energy from the at least one photovoltaic solar panel to produce the unit voltage.

7. The satellite device of claim 1 , wherein the power unit chassis comprises at least two compartments configured to physically isolate at least a first portion of the plurality of batteries from a second portion of the plurality of batteries.

8. The satellite device of claim 1 , each of the power units further comprising:

one or more heater elements configured to produce a target temperature in the power unit chassis for the plurality of batteries.

9. A satellite device power system, comprising:

a power control module; and

an array of modular power units formed into a combined geometric arrangement by disposing the modular power units about the power control module;

wherein each of the modular power units comprise:

a power unit chassis configured to hold a plurality of batteries configured to store energy received from at least one photovoltaic solar panel of the satellite device; and

at least one connector configured to receive the energy from the at least one photovoltaic solar panel and provide a unit voltage to the power control module.

10. The satellite device power system of claim 9 , wherein the modular power units comprise rhomboid shapes, and wherein the geometric arrangement comprises a hexagonal arrangement formed by a combination of the rhomboid shapes about a central axis.

11. The satellite device power system of claim 9 , further comprising:

at least one of the modular power units configured to receive electrical power from the at least one photovoltaic solar panel and produce a unit voltage.

12. The satellite device power system of claim 11 , wherein the power control module provides at least one output voltage to one or more components of the satellite device.

13. The satellite device power system of claim 9 , wherein the plurality of batteries each conform to an 18650 form factor and comprise lithium ion cells.

14. The satellite device power system of claim 9 , wherein the plurality of batteries are configured to condition the energy from the at least one photovoltaic solar panel to produce the unit voltage.

15. The satellite device power system of claim 9 , wherein the power unit chassis comprises at least two compartments configured to physically isolate at least a first portion of the plurality of batteries from a second portion of the plurality of batteries.

16. The satellite device power system of claim 9 , each of the modular power units further comprising:

one or more heater elements configured to produce a target temperature in the power unit chassis for the plurality of batteries.

17. A satellite power unit, comprising:

a rhomboid enclosure that provides arrangement into a hexagonal array when coupled to rhomboid enclosures of further satellite power units;

a plurality of battery compartments formed into the rhomboid enclosure and configured to physically isolate sets of batteries installed into the rhomboid enclosure;

an input circuit configured to receive electrical source power provided by a solar panel;

a charging circuit configured to charge the batteries using at least the electrical source power;

an output circuit configured to provide unit output power selected among the electrical source power and stored energy provided by the batteries; and

one or more heater elements configured to produce a target temperature in the plurality of battery compartments.

18. The satellite power unit of claim 17 , wherein the batteries each conform to an 18650 form factor and comprise lithium ion cells.

19. The satellite power unit of claim 17 , further comprising:

battery compartment circuit boards each configured to fit within a corresponding one of the plurality of battery compartments and provide electrical contacts among first terminals of associated batteries installed into the corresponding one of the plurality of battery compartments; and

a main unit circuit board configured to provide electrical contacts among second terminals of the batteries installed into the plurality of battery compartments, wherein the main unit circuit board comprises the input circuit, the charging circuit, the output circuit, and the one or more heater elements.

20. The satellite power unit of claim 19 , wherein the main unit circuit board mates to the rhomboid enclosure to contain the batteries within the plurality of battery compartments and provide environmental sealing for the plurality of battery compartments.

Assignments (2)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Mar 6, 2020
From: VECTOR LAUNCH INC,; GARVEY SPACECRAFT CORPORATION
To: LOCKHEED MARTIN CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 052916/0236 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Oct 10, 2018
From: NING, ANDREW DAICHI; TEEL, GEORGE LEWIS; RISKAS, BRIAN JAMES; GARBER, DARREN D.
To: VECTOR LAUNCH INC.
Reel/Frame 047120/0878 →
Cited By (2)
US 12,319,443 US 12,358,656