Abstract: The invention momentarily operates one or more tiny electronic semiconductor microactuator valve systems which operate a slide or flexing gate or gates disposed over the gas entrance hole or holes either on an appliance powered by a gas depolarized battery which has a sealed case or portion of a case, or disposed over an aperture in a gas depolarized battery. By such disposition, the entrance of oxygen from air (or other reacting fluid, either gaseous or liquid), to the gas (for example, air) depolarized electrochemical battery is only permitted when the battery is supplying electrical power to a load or when desired. By using two semiconductor microactuators, or a single microactuator with a ratcheting mechanism, the valve system only need be operated momentarily, usually when the appliance is turned on to open the valve system, and when it is turned off to close the valve system. Power for the valve is preferably derived from the battery itself but could be provided by a separate source.

Abstract: A power system architecture for a spacecraft and a method of a power supply for a spacecraft are presented which take advantage of the reduced plasma interaction associated with positive ground high voltage photovoltaic arrays and provide a negative ground power supply for electrical loads of the spacecraft. They efficiently convert and regulate power to the load bus and reduce power system mass and complexity. The system and method ground the positive terminal of the solar arrays to the spacecraft hull, and using a power converter to invert the electric sign, permit a negative ground for the electrical distribution bus and electrical components. A number of variations including a load management system and a battery management system having charging and recharging devices are presented.