Atomic oxygen and electrostatic-resistant, flexible structure for space applications
AssigneeThe Boeing Company
InventorsMarc L. Breen, Ray A. Stribling, Andrew R. Streett, Darren S. Cokin
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Abstract
A flexible space structure such as a solar array is composed of multiple solar cell modules (SCMs) each supporting an arrangement of solar cells on a frontside layer and incorporating a backside layer with a surface opposite from the frontside layer having a conductive coating. A selected portion of the SCMs have structural ground extension harnesses intermediate the frontside layer and backside layer. Conductive tapes secure vertically adjacent SCMs by attachment to the conductive coating and electrical jumpers interconnect the structural ground extension harnesses across gapped hinge lines of laterally adjacent SCMs.
Claims23
A solar array comprising:
- a plurality of solar cell modules (SCMs) each supporting an arrangement of solar cells on a frontside layer and incorporating a backside layer with a surface opposite from the frontside layer having a conductive coating, a selected portion of said plurality of SCMs having a structural ground extension harness intermediate the frontside layer and backside layer;
- conductive tapes securing vertically adjacent SCMs by attachment to the conductive coating;
- and
- electrical jumpers interconnecting of the structural ground extension harnesses of laterally adjacent SCMs in the selected portion of SCMs across gapped hinge lines.
An electrostatic charge dissipation system comprising:
- a conductive coating on each of a plurality of modules, each module having a frontside layer and a backside layer with a surface opposite from the frontside layer carrying the conductive coating, said plurality of modules arranged laterally and vertically adjacent and wherein the modules are solar cell modules;
- structural ground extension harnesses intermediate the frontside layer and backside layer in a selected portion of said plurality of modules;
- conductive tapes securing vertically adjacent modules by attachment to the conductive coating;
- and, electrical jumpers interconnecting of the structural ground extension harnesses of laterally adjacent modules in the selected portion of modules across gapped hinge lines.
A method for dissipation of electrostatic charge on a solar array comprising:
- conducting charge from a conductive coating on a plurality of Solar Cell Modules (SCMs) into an electrical jumper;
- routing charge buildup in the conductive coating layer through conductive adhesive strips of the electrical jumper and through a conductive polyimide layer into a highly conductive layer;
- dissipating current from the conductive layer through joints welded or soldered through windows in isolating layers between the conductive layer and a structural ground harness;
- and
- dissipating current through the structural ground harness to a ground.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.