# US 12,003,210 B2 · Solar array attachment > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 12,003,210 B2 - Document ID: US12003210B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 16/847,032 - Filed: 2020-04-13 - Published: 2021-10-14 - Granted: 2024-06-04 - Earliest claimed: 2020-04-13 - Assignees: The Boeing Company - Applicants: The Boeing Company - Inventors: Eric M. Rehder - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US12003210B2 ## CPC - H02S 30/10: Frame structures - B64G 1/10: Artificial satellites; Systems of such satellites; Interplanetary vehicles (space shuttles B64G1/14) - B64G 1/443: {Photovoltaic cell arrays} - H02S 30/20: Collapsible or foldable PV modules - H02S 40/42: Cooling means - H10F 77/939: {Output lead wires or elements} - Y02E 10/50: Photovoltaic [PV] energy - H02S: GENERATION OF ELECTRIC POWER BY CONVERSION OF INFRARED RADIATION, VISIBLE LIGHT OR ULTRAVIOLET LIGHT, e.g. USING PHOTOVOLTAIC [PV] MODULES (obtaining electrical energy from radioactive sources G21H1/12; light sensitive inorganic semiconductor devices H10F; light sensitive organic semiconductor devices H10K30/00; thermoelectric devices H10N10/00; pyroelectric devices H10N15/00) - B64G: COSMONAUTICS; VEHICLES OR EQUIPMENT THEREFOR - H10F: INORGANIC SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICES SENSITIVE TO INFRARED RADIATION, LIGHT, ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION OF SHORTER WAVELENGTH OR CORPUSCULAR RADIATION - Y02E: REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION ## Abstract A solar array including at least one solar panel comprised of a substrate having one or more solar cells bonded thereto, and a frame for supporting the substrate and the solar cells, wherein the substrate is attached to the frame at a perimeter of the frame along one or more edges of the substrate, the frame has a cutout or opening in a center of the frame under the solar cells, and the cutout or opening enables direct cooling of the solar cells through the substrate by exposing a back side of the substrate for transferring or radiating heat directly through the cutout or opening of the frame. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An apparatus, comprising: a substrate having one or more solar cells bonded thereto; and a frame for supporting the substrate and the solar cells, wherein the frame is a rectangular structure defining a perimeter around a cutout or opening under the solar cells, the substrate is attached to the frame at each side of the frame, only around the perimeter of the frame, along one or more edges of the substrate, the cutout or opening enables direct cooling of the solar cells through the substrate by exposing a back side of the substrate and the solar cells for transferring or radiating heat directly through the cutout or opening of the frame, reinforcing materials are in the cutout or opening of the frame, and the reinforcing materials allow radiative cooling at normal incidence from the solar cells, and block electron and proton radiation at non-normal incidence from reaching the solar cells. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the substrate is a flexible substrate. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the substrate is attached to the frame using one or more fasteners, and the fasteners are placed in reinforced areas of the substrate to prevent tearing of the substrate. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the substrate is attached to the frame using one or more bars located along one or more sides of the frame to spread a force applied by fasteners attaching the substrate to the frame. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the substrate has one or more tabs that are folded around and under the frame. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the tabs include one or more electrical conductors for making electrical connections to the solar cells. ### Claim 7 (depends on 5) The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the tabs are attached to one or more sides of the frame. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising support members in the cutout or opening of the frame. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the reinforcing materials incorporate shock absorbing materials to interface with the substrate and solar cells while stowed. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the substrate has one or more conducting layers for making electrical connections to the solar cells, the substrate includes one or more insulating layers for insulating the conducting layers, and the conducting layers are embedded in the substrate or are on the substrate. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the frame, substrate, and solar cells comprise a solar panel for a spacecraft. ### Claim 12 A method, comprising: bonding one or more solar cells to a substrate; and attaching the substrate and the solar cells to a frame for support, wherein the frame is a rectangular structure defining a perimeter around a cutout or opening under the solar cells, the substrate is attached to the frame at each side of the frame, only around the perimeter of the frame, along one or more edges of the substrate, the cutout or opening enables direct cooling of the solar cells through the substrate by exposing a back side of the substrate for transferring or radiating heat directly through the cutout or opening of the frame, reinforcing materials are in the cutout or opening of the frame, and the reinforcing materials allow radiative cooling at normal incidence from the solar cells, and block electron and proton radiation at non-normal incidence from reaching the solar cells. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The method of claim 12, wherein the substrate is a flexible substrate. ### Claim 14 (depends on 12) The method of claim 12, wherein the substrate is attached to the frame using one or more fasteners, and the fasteners are placed in reinforced areas of the substrate to prevent tearing of the substrate. ### Claim 15 (depends on 12) The method of claim 12, wherein the substrate is attached to the frame using one or more bars located along one or more sides of the frame to spread a force applied by fasteners attaching the substrate to the frame. ### Claim 16 (depends on 12) The method of claim 12, wherein the substrate has one or more tabs that are folded around and under the frame, the tabs include one or more electrical conductors for making electrical connections to the solar cells. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The method of claim 16, wherein the tabs are attached to one or more sides of the frame. ### Claim 18 (depends on 12) The method of claim 12, wherein the reinforcing materials incorporate shock absorbing materials to interface with the substrate and solar cells while stowed. ### Claim 19 (depends on 12) The method of claim 12, wherein the substrate has one or more conducting layers for making electrical connections to the solar cells, the substrate includes one or more insulating layers for insulating the conducting layers, and the conducting layers are embedded in the substrate or are on the substrate. ### Claim 20 A method, comprising: transferring heat from one or more solar cells bonded to a substrate, wherein the substrate is mounted on a frame for support, the frame is a rectangular structure defining a perimeter around a cutout or opening under the solar cells, the substrate is attached to the frame at each side of the frame, only around the perimeter of the frame, along one or more edges of the substrate, the cutout or opening enables direct cooling of the solar cells through the substrate by exposing a back side of the substrate for radiating heat directly through the cutout or opening of the frame reinforcing materials are in the cutout or opening of the frame, and the reinforcing materials allow radiative cooling at normal incidence from the solar cells, and block electron and proton radiation at non-normal incidence from reaching the solar cells.