Foldable low concentration solar array
US5520747A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | May 2, 1994 |
| Grant date | May 28, 1996 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 2, 2014 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10S136/292
- WIPO fieldThermal processes and apparatus
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A low concentration solar array for spacecraft and other uses which has a series of solar panels which can be deployed from a folded stowed configuration to a planar configuration. When the solar panels are stowed, the padding of reflector panels cushions and protects the solar panels from the stresses and vibrations of launch and space flight. Once the solar panels are extended into a deployed planar configuration, the reflector panels are raised to concentrate sunlight upon the solar panels. These reflector panels are constructed from rigid honeycomb substrates and therefore are the active structural members of the solar array, providing the structural rigidity for the solar array.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.