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:
Apr. 11, 2000
Filed:
Apr. 13, 1998
Stanley Canter, San Carlos, CA (US);
John C Hall, Saratoga, CA (US);
Space Systems/Loral, Inc., Palo Alto, CA (US);
Abstract
A spacecraft power system having an increased number of battery cells that is charged to the battery's full capacity, which exceeds a predetermined maximum voltage allowed by a bus. The battery can be disconnected from the bus during charging. The battery is then partially discharged to accommodate the bus before being reconnected. This provides a reduced voltage range experienced by the bus, as the minimum battery voltage is increased by the increased number of cells. A tap is provided to supply the bus with power when the battery is disconnected from the bus, and when a solar array powering the bus fails to supply current to the bus.