Importance

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Abstract

A power supply shunt regulator (PSSR) regulates the current flowing to a branch (FET, L.sub.D, CSR) coupled in parallel to a power supply (SA) and an electrical load (EL). The regulator limits the discharge current from a parasitic capacitance (PSC) of the power supply (SA) when a shunt switch (FET) included in the branch is turned 'ON'. An active negative feedback loop (CLM, FET) therefore regulates the current flow through the branch by measuring a voltage drop over a current sensing resistor (CSR) included in the branch and by deriving a control signal (ACTRL) for the shunt switch in such a way that this voltage drop is critically damped to a maximum voltage drop. This damping can be done in a simple way by selecting the shunt switch to be a field effect transistor. Due to the fact that an inductor (L.sub.H) is coupled to the source of the shunt switch, stable operation is insured. The power supply regulator is particularly well suited for use in a spacecraft wherein a number of power supply units, in each of which the power supply comprises a specific solar array, are used to supply power to the electrical load.

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First Claim