Solar generator with foldable panels especially for a spacecraft

US6284967A · kind A · utility

Assignee

• Daimlerchrysler AG · US

Inventors

• Alo Hakan · Germering, DE
• Frank Seifert · Schwanau, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: Dec 3, 1999
• Grant date: Sep 4, 2001
• Expiry date: Dec 3, 2019

Classification

• Technology area (CPC Y): Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
• CPC primary: Y10S136/292
• WIPO field: Transport
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

A solar generator especially for a spacecraft or space flight body has a plurality of first collector panels hinged to each other in a column extending in a first direction (D1) when the first collector panels are unfolded and a plurality of second panels coupled to the first panels so that the second panels can be unfolded in a second direction (D2) only after the first panels have been unfolded. The second panels are coupled to the first panels by journal struts or by hinges so that at least one first panel forms with at least one second panel, preferably with two or more second panels, a panel packet. The hinges (40) that articulate the first panels to each other permit unfolding the panel packets in said first direction (D1), whereupon the second panels in the individual packets can be unfolded in the second direction (D2).