OVERVIEW
The Magnetotorquer is an actuator, controlled by the host system, to activate torque on the satellite body by interaction with the Earth magnetic field, and has been developed and been produced as part of a family of products dedicated for the Attitude Control System of satellites, in the framework of TAMAM’s Division long term activities as part of the inertial navigation domain.
HIGHLIGHTS
- The Magnetotorquer is an electromagnet, the internal magnetic dipole of which is induced by the excitation current to a required value.
- The supplied torque(T) is the vector product of the magnetic dipole (M) and the earth magnetic flux density (B).
- The Magnetotorquer is part of the Attitude Control System of satellites produced by TAMAM.
- The use of advanced analytical tools such as magnetic filed simulation by the Finite Elements method, enables “tailoring” Magnetotorquer configuration per customer requirements and to optimize the set of functional parameters as dipole range, residual dipole, power consumption, time constant, weight, dimensions, etc.
Values & Benefits
This is accomplished for the following purposes: alignment of satellite in a desired direction; oscillation and nutation damping; spin rate control (for spin-stabilized satellites); and removal of spurious spin (for spin unstabilized satellites).
The Magnetotorquer is based on technological assets of magnetic design and material engineering developed for gyros, accelerometers, synchros and resolvers, electrical motors and magnetotorquers.
The Magnetotorquer design incorporates unique elements (protected by international patent applications) that allow significant weight reduction, based on optimal utilization of the ferromagnetic material core as the “container” of the magnetic dipoles and arrangement of the excitation coil along the core in order to achieve the required induced dipole with minimal excitation force (NI product).
