Boxed unwindable solar generator
US9975652B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 23, 2011 |
| Grant date | May 22, 2018 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 23, 2035 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY02E10/60
- WIPO fieldTransport
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A solar generator deployment device includes at least one primary tape-spring supporting a flexible membrane with a set of flexible photovoltaic cells on one face, at least one secondary tape-spring, and a reinforcing structure attached to the primary tape-spring and secondary tape-spring, said device having a wound state in which the primary tape-spring supporting the flexible membrane and secondary tape-spring and reinforcing structure are co-wound around a mandrel; and an unwound state in which said primary tape-spring and secondary tape-spring are unwound. The device comprises, at the level of said mandrel, means for offsetting, in the unwound state, the root of said secondary tape-spring so that the reinforcing structure is deployed within a volume situated on the side opposite the face of the flexible membrane comprising flexible photovoltaic cells and supports said flexible membrane, the device then being in the deployed state.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.