Back to results
US 6,194,790 B1Granted
Solar sail for power generation
AssigneeThe United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Air Force
InventorsSteven Griffin, Steven Huybrechts, Troy Meink, Alok Das, Kitt Reinhardt
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
The space-based solar power generating system is comprised of a flexible thin film photovoltaic sheet supported as a sail in the solar wind. The solar wind provides pointing support, deployment support, and structure stiffness without a heavy backup structure. A high Isp electric propulsion system is used to counteract the force exerted on the sail by the solar wind.
Claims9
A solar sail-based spacecraft power generation system (power sail) comprising:
- a. a power sail material composed of a flexible thin film photovoltaic sheet attached to a flexible substrate;
- b. a lightweight power sail support structure means capable of deploying said power sail sheet in space and maintaining said power sail sheet deployed in the solar wind;
- c. means to electrically connect said power sail to a spacecraft;
- and
- d. a propulsion system means of sufficient thrust to counter the force exerted on said power sail by said solar wind.
2 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.