Development of high angular momentum, high torque small reaction wheel using magnetic bearing and electromagnetic brake

2018 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 17K18428
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Young Scientists (B)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Research Field: Design engineering/Machine functional elements/Tribology; Control engineering/System engineering
• Research Institution: Japan Aerospace EXploration Agency
• Principal Investigator: Shigeto Shuhei 国立研究開発法人宇宙航空研究開発機構, 研究開発部門, 研究開発員 (60769537)
• Project Period (FY): 2017-04-01 – 2019-03-31
• Keywords: 姿勢制御 / 小型化 / 磁気軸受

Outline of Final Research Achievements

I tried to increase the angular momentum while miniaturizing RW to about 30 mm by using the bearing of reaction wheel (RW) for small satellite as a magnetic bearing and improving the rotational speed. First, with regard to the conventional RW structure using ball bearings, the structure and control circuit were optimized to realize miniaturization. In addition, in order to compensate for the torque that is reduced due to the miniaturization, the use of an electromagnetic brake enables instantaneous high torque.
Next, a single-axis control type magnetic bearing was designed in which a permanent magnet was used in part of the bearing. The electromagnetic brake used to realize high torque is also used as an actuator for a magnetic bearing to realize a small and simple structure.

Free Research Field

制御工学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

小型衛星においては、規格化され限られた大きさの中に様々な機能を搭載する必要がある。姿勢制御は衛星のミッションを実現するために必須の機能であるが、これの性能を保ちながら小型化することができれば、より多くの機能を一つの衛星に搭載することができる。本研究で試作した小型モジュールは、磁気軸受化による高角運動量化には至っていないものの、世界最小サイズの姿勢制御機能を有するモジュールとなり、今後人工衛星やロボットを含む幅広い分野での応用が期待される。