Systems and methods for pointing photovoltaic arrays
AssigneeBlue Origin, LLC
InventorBrian Jay Tillotson
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Systems and methods for pointing photovoltaic arrays for optimal power generation. One or more methods among a plurality of methods for pointing an array may be used by a spacecraft control system to point the array. Example methods to use to point the photovoltaic array relate to analyzing current output, analyzing image data, and analyzing computational knowledge of reflective bodies or light sources. The spacecraft may be further controlled to reduce shadow by re-orienting, receiving light reflected off spacecraft, and orienting a photovoltaic array relative to incoming light sources based on topographic properties of the array such as cell grooves.
Claims30
A control system for pointing a photovoltaic array on a spacecraft, the control system comprising:
- a processor;
- and
- a memory storing instructions thereon that, when executed by the processor, cause the control system to:
- point the photovoltaic array using one or more methods of a plurality of methods for pointing the photovoltaic array, wherein the plurality of methods includes a first method comprising analyzing first data related to electrical output from the photovoltaic array, a second method comprising analyzing second data related to one or more light sources, and a third method comprising analyzing third data related to computational knowledge of one or more reflective bodies;
- and,
- orient the photovoltaic array such that grooves of solar cells of the photovoltaic array are parallel to a plane of incoming light.
A spacecraft comprising:
- a photovoltaic array;
- and
- a control system for pointing the photovoltaic array, the control system comprising:
- a processor;
- and
- a memory storing instructions thereon that, when executed by the processor, cause the control system to:
- point the photovoltaic array using one or more methods of a plurality of methods for pointing the photovoltaic array, wherein the plurality of methods includes a first method comprising analyzing first data related to electrical output from the photovoltaic array, a second method comprising analyzing second data related to one or more light sources, and a third method comprising analyzing third data related to computational knowledge of one or more reflective bodies;
- and
- orient the photovoltaic array such that grooves of solar cells of the photovoltaic array are parallel to a plane of incoming light.
A method for pointing a photovoltaic array on a spacecraft, the method comprising:
- pointing the photovoltaic array using one or more methods of a plurality of methods for pointing the photovoltaic array, wherein the plurality of methods includes a first method comprising analyzing first data related to electrical output from the photovoltaic array, a second method comprising analyzing second data related to one or more light sources, and a third method comprising analyzing third data related to computational knowledge of one or more reflective bodies;
- and
- orienting the photovoltaic array such that grooves of solar cells of the photovoltaic array are parallel to a plane of incoming light.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.