Effects of magnetization conditions on dynamic characteristics of spacecrafts with superconducting flux pinning docking interfaces

Abstract

Depending on the self-stable levitation characteristics of superconductors with trapped magnetic flux, superconducting flux pinning docking interfaces (FPDIs) provide a promising approach for space applications. In this paper, we investigate the influence of magnetization conditions on the dynamic response between two satellites equipped with FPDIs. The flux pinning interactions between a high-temperature superconductor and a source magnet are approximated using a frozen image model. An analytic model of the docking process is derived based on the Kane method to simulate the dynamic response. A linearized dynamic model is derived, and linear quadratic regulator (LQR) control is applied to the FPDI to minimize the relative attitude deviations. The results show that improving the frozen magnetic flux density of superconductors is beneficial to the capture ability of the FPDI. Increasing the damping coefficient is also an efficient approach to improving the docking performance, but this approach is limited by the field cooling height. Damping materials with a lower density and a higher damping coefficient are proposed to be employed in the FPDI. The LQR control contributes to suppressing the amplitude of the oscillation and reducing the settling time in the docking process. Although the amplitude of oscillation in a noncontrol scheme converges more slowly than the LQR control scheme, it does not require the high dynamic response speed of a control system like the LQR control scheme, which contributes toward simplifying the structure of the FPDI. The principles presented above provide a guide for the design and implementation of FPDI in space docking missions.

Superconducting YBCO Foams as Trapped Field Magnets

“…The foam samples may play an important role for the pinning force docking interfaces (FPDI) discussed in Refs. [18,19]. The supercoducting material required in this application needs to be of large size, i.e., several centimeters in diameter.…”

“…These advantages make the superconducting foams ideal candidates for applications in space. This may comprise the flux-pinning docking interfaces (FPDI) discussed in the literature [18,19] and portable high-magnetic field units which can be mounted in satellites to magnetically collect waste debris [20][21][22].…”

Superconducting YBCO Foams as Trapped Field Magnets

“…Two main applications of superconducting foam samples in space engineering can be envisaged: The foam samples may play an important role for the pinning force docking interfaces (FPDI) discussed in Refs. [18,19]. The supercoducting material required in this application needs to be of large size, i.e., several centimeters in diameter.…”

“…These advantages make the superconducting foams ideal candidates for applications in space. This may comprise the flux-pinning docking interfaces (FPDI) discussed in the literature [18,19] and portable high-magnetic field units which can be mounted in satellites to magnetically collect waste debris [20,21,22].…”

Microstructural Parameters for Modelling of Superconducting Foams

“…Superconducting YBa Cu O (YBCO) open-cell foam samples [ 1 , 2 , 3 ] are interesting materials for a variety of applications (fault current limiters, trapped field magnets, space applications [ 4 , 5 , 6 , 7 , 8 , 9 , 10 , 11 ]) due to their various, unique properties, which include low sample weight, a very effective oxygenation process, excellent thermal properties allowing for quick cooling, excellent mechanical properties, the possibility for easy shaping of the samples and straightforward upscaling of the sample size. The cooling effectivity, effective oxygenation and sample upscaling have previously been demonstrated in [ 3 , 12 , 13 ].…”