Self deploying solar array
AssigneeComposite Technology Development, Inc.
InventorsRobert Taylor, Philip N. Keller, Kaushik Mallick, Dana Turse, Michael J. Hulse
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A deployable structure that may include a slit-tube longeron and a flat panel coupled with the slit-tube longeron. The slit-tube longeron may include a tubular member having a slit that runs along the longitudinal length of the slit-tube longeron. The deployable structure may be configured to couple with a satellite. And the deployable structure may be configured to transform between a stowed state and a deployed state where the tubular member is substantially straight when the deployable structure is in the deployed state, and the tubular member is wrapped around the satellite when the deployable structure is in the stowed state.
Claims28
A deployable structure comprising:
- a slit-tube longeron, wherein the slit-tube longeron comprises a tubular member that includes a slit along the longitudinal length of the slit-tube longeron;
- and
- a first flat panel coupled with the slit-tube longeron;
- wherein:
- the deployable structure is configured to couple with a satellite;
- the deployable structure is configured to transform between a stowed state and a deployed state;
- when the deployable structure is in the deployed state, the tubular member of the slit-tube longeron is substantially straight;
- and
- when the deployable structure is in the stowed state, the tubular member of the slit-tube longeron is wrapped around the satellite such that the tubular member bends around the satellite.
A method for stowing a deployable structure having a slit-tube longeron and a first flat panel, the method comprising:
- coupling the first flat panel with the slit-tube longeron, wherein the first flat panel is coupled toward a first end of the slit-tube longeron;
- coupling the deployable structure with a satellite, wherein a second end of the slit-tube longeron is coupled with the satellite;
- and
- wrapping the slit-tube longeron around the satellite such that the slit-tube longeron bends around the outer surface of the satellite.
A flexible solar array sheet configured for coupling with a slit-tube longeron, wherein the flexible solar array sheet comprises:
- a first end;
- a second end opposite the first end;
- a first side;
- a second side opposite the first side, wherein the flexible solar array sheet is roughly rectangular having a surface defined by the first end, the second end, the first side, and the second side;
- and
- a plurality of photovoltaic cells coupled with the flexible solar array sheet;
- wherein:
- each photovoltaic cell of the plurality of photovoltaic cells is separated from an adjacent photovoltaic cell by a gap that comprises a portion of the flexible solar array sheet,
- the plurality of photovoltaic cells are arranged across the surface of the flexible solar array sheet so as to allow the flexible solar array sheet and the plurality of photovoltaic cells to be stowed as a roll due to the flexibility of the flexible solar array sheet in each of the gaps, and
- the roll is configured to deploy by being rolled along the length of the solar array sheet.
A deployable structure comprising:
- a slit-tube longeron, wherein the slit-tube longeron comprises a tubular member that includes a slit along the longitudinal length of the slit-tube longeron;
- a flat solar array sheet coupled with the slit-tube longeron;
- and
- a plurality of photovoltaic cells coupled with the flat solar array sheet;
- wherein:
- the slit-tube longeron and the flat solar array sheet are stowed as a roll comprising the one or more slit-tube longerons and the flat solar array sheet, and
- the roll is configured to deploy by being rolled along the longitudinal length of the slit-tube longeron.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.