Satellites having autonomously deployable solar arrays
US11993404B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 13, 2022 |
| Grant date | May 28, 2024 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 30, 2042 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY02E10/50
- WIPO fieldTransport
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
Satellites having autonomously deployable solar arrays are disclosed. A disclosed example satellite includes a solar array, a sensor to detect that the satellite has exited a launch vehicle, a processor to, based on the satellite exiting the launch vehicle, enable release of magnets or locks of an array, a release controller to control the release of the magnets or the locks of the array based on a release sequence to autonomously deploy the solar array, and a sequence analyzer to adapt the release sequence during execution of the release sequence, wherein adapting the release sequence includes changing an order in which the magnets or the locks of the array are released based on a degree to which the solar array is unfolded.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.