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US 11,691,766 B2Granted
Deployable satellite solar panel hinge mechanism
AssigneeSpire Global Subsidiary, Inc.
InventorWilliam Joel Spark
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
The disclosed technology includes systems, methods, and mechanism configurations related to satellite solar panels, including stowing arrangements, deployment sequences, special purpose hinges, hold down and release mechanisms, and associated components for controlled deployment of the satellite solar panels.
Claims20
A system for constraining and releasing a satellite solar array of panels, comprising:
- a burn resistor mounted to a circuit board, the burn resistor being configured to heat up when current passes through;
- a burn wire configured to restrain the satellite solar array of panels in a stowed position relative to a satellite body, wherein the burn wire is configured to be severed by the burn resistor, allowing the panels to unfold and deploy from the satellite body;
- and
- a restraining hook mounted to the circuit board and disposed on either side of the burn resistor to increase a contact surface area between the burn wire and the burn resistor.
1 more element
A system for constraining and releasing a satellite solar panel, comprising:
- a burn resistor configured to heat up when current passes through;
- a burn wire configured to restrain an outer stowed solar panel, wherein the burn wire is configured to be severed by the burn resistor, allowing the outer stowed panel to unfold and deploy;
- a restraint disposed on a side of the burn resistor and engaging the burn wire so as to increase a contact surface area between the burn wire and the burn resistor;
- and
- an activation circuit configured to selectively control the current through the burn resistor to sever the burn wire for controllable deployment of the outer stowed solar panel.
2 more elements
A method of controlling deployment of an array of satellite solar panels, comprising:
- securing the array of satellite solar panels against a satellite body with a burn wire;
- restraining the burn wire against a burn resistor using a restraint engaging the burn wire so as to increase a contact surface area between the burn wire and the burn resistor;
- selectively energizing, with an activation circuit, the burn resistor in contact with the burn wire;
- severing the burn wire by selectively energizing the activation circuit;
- releasing by the severing, at least a secured end of the satellite solar panels;
- and
- unrolling the satellite solar panels into a deployed configuration.
4 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.