# US 2021/0276736 A1 · Thermal management system for structures in space > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2021/0276736 A1 - Document ID: US20210276736A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 17/329,221 - Filed: 2021-05-25 - Published: 2021-09-09 - Earliest claimed: 2019-05-15 - Assignees: AST & Science, LLC - Applicants: AST & Science, LLC - Inventors: Ryan D. Honour; Javier Hernandez Bahlsen; Huiwen Yao; Adam H. Halperin; Abel Avellan - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20210276736A1 ## CPC - B64G 1/222: {for deploying structures between a stowed and deployed state} - B64G 1/10: Artificial satellites; Systems of such satellites; Interplanetary vehicles (space shuttles B64G1/14) - B64G 1/1007: {Communications satellites} - B64G 1/2222: {Folding} - B64G 1/428: {Power distribution and management} - B64G 1/443: {Photovoltaic cell arrays} - B64G 1/64: Systems for coupling or separating cosmonautic vehicles or parts thereof, e.g. docking arrangements - B64G 1/66: Arrangements or adaptations of apparatus or instruments, not otherwise provided for - H01Q 1/02: Arrangements for de-icing; Arrangements for drying-out {; Arrangements for cooling; Arrangements for preventing corrosion} - H01Q 1/08: Means for collapsing antennas or parts thereof (collapsible loop antennas H01Q7/02; means for collapsing H-antennas or Yagi antennas H01Q19/04) - H01Q 1/286: {substantially flush mounted with the skin of the craft} - H01Q 1/288: {Satellite antennas} - H01Q 21/0025: {Modular arrays} - H02S 10/40: Mobile PV generator systems - H02S 20/30: Supporting structures being movable or adjustable, e.g. for angle adjustment - H02S 40/30: Electrical components - H02S 40/36: characterised by special electrical interconnection means between two or more PV modules, e.g. electrical module-to-module connection - H02S 40/425: {using a gaseous or a liquid coolant, e.g. air flow ventilation, water circulation} - H10F 77/80: Arrangements for preventing damage to photovoltaic cells caused by corpuscular radiation, e.g. for space applications - Y02E 10/50: Photovoltaic [PV] energy - B64G: COSMONAUTICS; VEHICLES OR EQUIPMENT THEREFOR - H01Q: ANTENNAS, i.e. RADIO AERIALS (radiators or antennas for microwave heating H05B6/72) - 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) - 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 An antenna assembly has a solar layer having one or more solar cells generating solar power, an antenna layer connected to the solar layer and having electronic components utilizing the solar power generated by the solar layer, and a thermal dissipation device dissipating heat locally at the antenna assembly. A large number of antenna assemblies are connected to form an antenna array in which heat is generated locally at each antenna assembly and dissipated locally at each antenna assembly. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An antenna assembly comprising: a solar layer having one or more solar cells generating solar power; an antenna layer connected to said solar layer and having electronic components utilizing the solar power generated by said solar layer; and a thermal dissipation device dissipating heat locally at said antenna assembly. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The assembly of claim 1, wherein said solar layer and said antenna. layer are flat square or rectangular tiles. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The assembly of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of antenna assemblies connected together to form an antenna assembly array, each of said plurality of antenna assemblies generating solar power and utilizing the solar power generated at that each of said plurality of antenna assemblies. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The assembly of claim 3, further dissipating heat over the entire area of said plurality of antenna assemblies. ### Claim 5 An antenna assembly comprising: a flat antenna layer forming a first outer surface of said antenna assembly, said antenna layer having a flat antenna plate with one or more antennas at said first outer surface of said antenna assembly; a flat solar layer forming a second outer surface of said antenna assembly, said solar layer having a flat solar plate with one or more solar cells at said second outer surface of said antenna assembly; a middle layer sandwiched between said antenna layer and said solar layer; one or more electronic components at said middle layer; and one or more heat transfer devices to transfer heat to said one or more electronic components. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The antenna assembly of claim 5, further comprising a thermal insulator member at said middle layer retaining said one or more electronic components. ### Claim 7 (depends on 5) The assembly of claim 5, said one or more electronic components comprising one or more front end modules. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The assembly of claim 7, said one or more electronic components comprising one or more antennas, each associated with one of same one or more front end modules. ### Claim 9 (depends on 5) The assembly of claim 5, wherein said one or more antennas each comprise one or more antenna elements. ### Claim 10 (depends on 5) The assembly of claim 5, said one or more electronic components further comprising a processing device for operating said one or more electronic components. ### Claim 11 (depends on 5) The assembly of claim 5, said antenna assembly having a nadir side and a zenith side, wherein said one or more electronic components are at the nadir side and said flat solar layer is at the zenith side. ### Claim 12 (depends on 5) The assembly of claim 5, wherein said one or more heat transfer devices comprise one or more heat pipes for transferring heat. ### Claim 13 (depends on 5) The assembly of claim 5, wherein said one or more heat transfer devices transfer heat from one of said one or more electronic components to other ones of said one or more electronic components. ### Claim 14 (depends on 5) The assembly of claim 5, wherein said middle layer and said one or more electronic devices each have low thermal emissivity. ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) A method for communicating comprising transmitting and/or receiving signals to and/or from the assembly of claim 1.