The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Feb. 22, 2000
Filed:
Jul. 09, 1998
Stanley J Krause, Northridge, CA (US);
Hughes Electronics Corporation, Los Angeles, CA (US);
Abstract
A spacecraft, such as a satellite in geosynchronous orbit, is powered using at least two independently controllable batteries, such as lithium ion batteries, operably connected to the power-consuming components of the spacecraft. Each battery is operable in a higher-temperature range and inactivated in a lower-temperature range. The first battery and the second battery are operated in the higher-temperature range during a first period of time. The first battery is thereafter operated in the higher-temperature range during a second period of time, with the second battery being non-operational and in the lower-temperature range during the second period of time. The first battery and the second battery are thereafter operated in the higher-temperature range during a third period of time. The second battery is thereafter operated in the higher-temperature range during a fourth period of time, with the first battery being non-operational and in the lower-temperature range during the fourth period of time. The operable battery or batteries may be operated through a partial charging/discharging cycle. This alternating operation prolongs the lifetimes of the batteries.