Self-deploying flexible solar array
AssigneeLockheed Martin Corporation
InventorJohn L. Gibb
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Provided herein are various enhancements for solar arrays and photovoltaic systems for spacecraft, vehicles, and other applications. In one example, an assembly includes a base layer having a generally circular shape and comprising a plurality of gores interspersed by radial folds. The assembly includes a photovoltaic array coupled to the gores, and a tensioning element configured to apply circumferential tension about a central node of the base layer. The assembly includes a structural element disposed about an outer perimeter of the base layer against which the circumferential tension is conveyed for deployment of the base layer from a stowed configuration into a deployed configuration.
Claims9
A method, comprising:
- forming an assembly comprising a photovoltaic array bonded to a circular and flexible base layer having a plurality of gores interspersed by radial folds that define sections, that when folded, establish a stowed configuration for the assembly with an exposed area of one section;
- forming a tension member positioned in a plane of the base layer that establishes a hoop tension about a center of the assembly that applies radial tension onto a material comprising the base layer for deployment of the assembly from the stowed configuration into a deployed configuration;
- and
- forming a perimeter structure disposed about outer circumferential edges of the plurality of gores against which the radial tension is conveyed through the material comprising the base layer to provide passive deployment of the plurality of gores from a stowed configuration into a deployed configuration having the base layer in a generally planar arrangement.
A device, comprising:
- a solar array assembly comprising photovoltaic elements bonded to a circular and flexible base layer having radial folds that define sections, that when folded, establish a stowed configuration for the solar array assembly with an exposed area of one section;
- the solar array assembly comprising a tension member positioned in a plane of the base layer and configured to apply a hoop tension about a center of the base layer that applies radial tension to a material comprising the base layer for deployment of the assembly from the stowed configuration into a deployed configuration;
- and
- the solar array assembly comprising a perimeter structure about circumferential edges of the sections against which the radial tension is applied through the material comprising the base layer to provide passive deployment of the sections of the base layer of the solar array assembly into a generally planar arrangement.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.