Ultra lightweight folding panel structure

Batteries: thermoelectric and photoelectric – Photoelectric – Panel or array

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Details

136292, 160213, 244173, H01L 3104, B64G 110

Patent

active

043841635

ABSTRACT:
A deployable panel structure for spacecraft solar cell arrays and other collapsible panel structures. The panel structure consists of a number of panel sections mounted edge to edge along parallel hinge lines by hinges which allow the panels to be collapsed accordian fashion toward a support. The panels are attached to and deployed by an extendable boom which is extended from and retractable to the support. In the deployed configuration, the panels are extended to form a planar surface in which the boom is essentially coplanar. The panel sections are formed from a plurality of layers of thin film insulative substrate which is stiffened with ribs formed into the substrate during the manufacturing process. The hinges are formed of the same material as the substrate and bonded to the edges of the panel. The bonding is accomplished while the panels are in the folded, face-to-face position such that maximum stored energy and out-of-plane stiffness is available in the deployed configuration. Power from the solar cells is collected by a ribbon cabling system integrally or separately formed with the substrate and hinge system so as to minimize stowed size and mechanical complexity.

REFERENCES:
patent: 3756858 (1973-09-01), Dillard
patent: 4101101 (1978-07-01), Barkats et al.
E. N. Costogue et al., "Ultra-Low-Mass Flexible Planar Solar Arrays Using 50 Micron Thick Solar Cells", Conf. Record, 13th IEEE Photovoltaic Specialists Conf., (1978), pp. 200-207.

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