Lightweight stowable and deployable solar cell array
US5296044A · kind A · utility
67Cited by
4References
7Claims
0Family size
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 6, 1992 |
| Grant date | Mar 22, 1994 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 6, 2012 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10S136/292
- WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A solar cell array deployable from a folded flat triangular structure to a substantially circular deployed shape. A root spar supports a hub. The hub has an axis of rotation normal to the axis of the root spar. The hub drives a lead spar, and a plurality of intermediate spars rotate freely around the hub. A foldable gore is fitted between each pair of adjacent spars except between the root spar and the lead spar. Rotation of the hub in one direction folds the gores into a stack. Rotation in the opposite direction opens the gores to form tensioned membranes between the spars. A reversible power source drives the hub.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.