Solar generator panel and a spacecraft including it
US7321095B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 9, 2003 |
| Grant date | Jan 22, 2008 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 26, 2025 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10S136/292
- WIPO fieldTransport
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A solar generator panel includes at least one reflector for reflecting solar radiation onto at least one photovoltaic cell. The reflector takes the form of a flexible material blade, a first end of which is fixed to the panel and a second end of which remains free. The material has mechanical properties such that, in a first position, in the absence of vertical pressure, it maintains itself erect so that its free end points to outer space, thereby defining an upper face that faces outer space and an opposite lower face that faces the panel, and, in a second position, in response to vertical pressure, it orients its upper face toward the plane of the panel. One particular application is to high-power solar panels for satellites.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.