Solar generator with electrically conducting hinges
AssigneeDaimlerChrysler AG
InventorGunter Kuechler
Life of this patent
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Abstract
The electrically conducting backsides of solar blankets forming arrays are electrically interconnected by electrically conducting hinges. Tubular hinge elements are connected in an electrically conducting manner to edges of the blankets and an electrically conducting hinge pin extends through the tubular hinge elements.
Claims5
A flexible solar generator comprising a plurality of panels having electrically conducting panel backsides, an electrically conducting piano hinge joining neighboring panels of said plurality of panels to each other to form at least one solar generator array, said electrically conducting hinge extending along a full length of said neighboring panels, said electrically conducting piano hinge comprising electrically conducting tubular hinge elements, an electrically conducting hinge pin extending through said tubular electrically conducting hinge elements for joining said electrically conducting tubular hinge elements to form said piano hinge, and means electrically and mechanically connecting said electrically conducting tubular hinge elements to edges of said electrically conducting panel backsides so that all electrically conducting panel backsides of said array are electrically interconnected with one another through said electrically conducting tubular hinge elements and through said electrically conducting hinge pin for providing low electrical transition resistances in said piano hinge.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.