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US 2019/0172955 A1Published application
Laminar airfoil and the assembly and mounting of solar cell arrays on such airfoils
AssigneeSolAero Technologies Corp.
InventorsMatthew Kruse, Fadel Hernandez
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Methods of fabricating a solar cell assembly for streamlined bodies are provided. The solar cell assembly may be prepared on an assembly fixture. The solar cell assembly may then be removed from the assembly fixture and positioned on a top surface of the streamlined body. In examples, the solar cell assembly comprises a first film, an array of solar cells on top of the first film, and a second silicone film deposited over the solar cells.
Claims20
A method of fabricating a solar cell array for a substantially streamlined body comprising:
- providing an assembly fixture having a substantially smooth planar surface;
- and
- constructing a solar cell assembly on the smooth planar surface, wherein constructing the solar cell assembly comprises:
- depositing a first silicone film directly on the planar surface of the fixture;
- mounting an array of interconnected solar cells having a front light receiving side and a back side, with the back side disposed directly over the first silicone film
- depositing a second silicone film comprising a first portion tapering in thickness and comprising a second portion directly over the front side of the solar cells so as to encapsulate the solar cells and provide a smooth surface allowing laminar flow there over.
3 more elements
A vehicle comprising
- a streamlined body having a top surface,
- a double sided adhesive film positioned on the top surface of the streamlined body, and
- a solar cell assembly bonded to the top surface by the double sided adhesive film, wherein
- the solar cell assembly comprises
- a first silicone film;
- an array of interconnected solar cells having a front light receiving side and a back side, with the back side disposed directly over the first film ;
- a second silicone film comprising a first portion tapering in thickness and comprising a second portion of the second film over the front side of the solar cells so as to encapsulate the solar cells and provide a smooth surface.
4 more elements
An airfoil comprising:
- a carbon fiber composite face sheet forming the skin of the airfoil;
- a double sided adhesive film positioning on the top surface of the face sheet;
- and
- a silicone film including an array of solar cells encapsulated therein and positioned over the top surface of the adhesive film so that the film is bonded to a predefined region on the top surface of the face sheet and spaced apart from the leading edge of the airfoil wherein the film is designed to permit laminar flow over the surface of the skin of the airfoil.
1 more element
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.