Elastically deployable panel structure solar arrays
US9156568B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 12, 2013 |
| Grant date | Oct 13, 2015 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 30, 2033 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY02E10/50
- WIPO fieldTransport
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
An elastically deployable three-dimensional panel structure for a solar array that can be collapsed to a flattened state and subsequently rolled, bended, or folded to achieve a compact stowage volume. The panel structure has top facing planar surface region on which one or more photovoltaic modules are attached, and other non-planar regions, located at the structure edges, that increase the deployed stiffness and strength of the structure. The deployable structure may include one or more panel structure modules mechanically interconnected in series and one or more photovoltaic modules electrically interconnected and mechanically adhered to the panel structure surface or tensioned within an openings within in the panel structure. Structural deployment is motivated by the elastic strain energy of the one or more panel structures from their stowed state. Deployment control is provided to ensure a known and repeatable deployment path through interlocking strips attached to one or more panel structures.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.