Honeywell International Inc.

Robert J Hart

Mason A Peck

Methods and apparatus are provided for reaction wheel (RW) assemblies for spacecraft. The apparatus comprises a M/G coupled to an inertia wheel and a controller coupled to the M/G that, in response to commands it receives, couples power to or from an M/G of another RW assembly over a shared transfer connection (V), so that one M/G acts as a generator powering another M/G acting as a motor. The controller compares generator voltage Vto the BEMF of the motor on Vand reconfigures a multi-winding M/G or steps-up the generated voltage to maintain V&#x3e;Vto maximize direct energy transfer from one RW to the other as long as possible. When Vdeclines sufficiently, the controller can couple the motor to the spacecraft power bus and/or the generator to a power dump so as to continue to provide the commanded torque if needed. Operation is automatic.

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Glendale, AZ, United States of America

Robert J Hart