High-speed magnetically levitated reaction wheel demonstrator

Abstract

Reaction wheels (RWs) for small satellites with active magnetic bearings allowing for ultra-high-speed operation show advantages in angular momentum density over ball bearing RWs with limited speed according to scaling laws developed in this paper. A reaction wheel demonstrator design based on a novel dual hetero/homoploar, slotless, self-bearing, permanent-magnet synchronous motor concept with a rotational speed of 250 000 rpm is investigated. The design includes the rotor dynamics, mechanical stress analysis, electromagnetics, power electronics and control, and the sensor concept. The experimental setup ready for experimental verification is presented.