摘要:
Solar panel (11) comprising solar cells affixed to one or more sheet elements (17) and a frame (12,13) for supporting said sheet elements (17), wherein the frame (12,13) is provided with attachment means for attaching said sheet elements to the frame, wherein that, the attachment means comprise one or more pretensioned strings (20,21), the sheet elements (17) being attached to said strings (20,21). According to the invention it is preferred that the sheet elements (17) are composed of flexible material and are attached to the string (20,21) in a corrugated shape, wherein the sheet elements are provided with at least one row of apertures for weaving a string (20,21) through successive apertures of said row.
摘要:
A space photovoltaic power generation system comprises a plurality of power satellites (1) arranged in space, each of which converts electric energy, into which sunlight has been photoelectrically converted, into a microwave, and transmits the microwave to an electric power base (2). The system can thus transmit a microwave of high power to the electric power base (2). Each of the plurality of power satellites (1) modulates the generated microwave so as to generate an incoherent microwave before transmitting it to the electric power base (2), thus reducing the power density of the electric power transmitted to the electric power base (2) on the earth and hence a loss in the total amount of energy transmitted to the electric power base (2) on the earth.
摘要:
A control system and method that keeps solar arrays on a satellite pointing toward the sun. Exemplary control systems and methods are implemented as follows. An orbit propagator (11) computes satellite orbital location data and computes a sun vector (12) referenced to an inertial reference frame. A coordinate transformation processor (13) processes the sun vector in the inertial reference frame and a sensed satellite attitude signal to generate a sun vector referenced to a satellite body reference frame. A solar array position processor (14) processes a step count derived from a solar array pointing control system and sensed solar array position to generate an estimate of the position of the solar array. A summing device (16) sums the solar array position estimate output, the body frame sun vector, and a bias signal derived from a ground command, to produce a solar array position error signal. A filter (17) filters the solar array position error signal. A current regulator processor (15) processes a measured solar array current to produce another solar array position error signal based on current output. An eclipse processor (18) processes the satellite orbital location data, the solar array position error output signal, and the low pass filtered solar array position error signal to generate a step command. The solar array pointing control system processes the step command to generate control signals that point the solar array at the sun.
摘要:
A new combination is formed of a deployable solar array and a deployable perimeter truss reflector within a single structure, defining a deployable perimeter truss reflector and solar array combination. In that combination the pliant reflective mesh, which serves as the RF reflector, is located at one circular end of the perimeter truss and the solar array is located at the other end. The solar array is formed with photovoltaic cells formed on both sides of a pliant film base. The photovoltaic cells are exposed to sunlight, either directly, or through the mesh, which is eighty percent porous to sunlight. Constructed in deployed form, for storage the truss contracts to the conventional non-deployed condition of a barrel-like configuration; and both the pliant reflective mesh that forms the reflector and the pliant base supporting the photovoltaic cells become tucked in place inside opposite ends of the barrel. Among other benefits, the integral structure obviates the complications resulting from use of two structures, such as shadowing, and eliminates the need for sun-tracking electronic systems used with prior solar arrays.
摘要:
A satellite (11) is launched that contains high thrust chemical propulsion thrusters, high specific impulse electric propulsion thrusters and a solar array. The satellite quickly escapes the Van Allen radiation belts by firing the high thrust chemical propulsion thrusters at apogees of intermediate orbits, staffing from the transfer orbit (14) initiated by a launch vehicle, to successively raise the perigees until the perigee clears the Van Allen radiation belts. The payload mass and mission life are maximized by firing high specific impulse electric propulsion thrusters to raise the satellite to near synchronous orbit, while steering the thrust vector and solar array to maintain the sun's illumination on the solar array. The chemical and/or electric propulsion thrusters are then fired to achieve geosynchronous orbit (15).
摘要:
The power to weight ratio obtained with a spacecraft's solar array (3) is enhanced by a factor of at least two to five through use of support structure for individual solar panels or solar arrays (31a-17a) containing a curved outwardly bowed surface as deployed that packs essentially flat for storage. Defining a D-shaped wing (15a) in cross-section as deployed, the support structure (4 & 6) for a string of solar cells (10, Fig. 3) provides greater inertia and thereby greater rigidity than prior designs. One member (4) to the support structure is relatively flexible. One-hundred and eighty degree strain energy hinges (19) carried by the other support member (6) outwardly bows that flexible to define a curved sector when the support structure is released from the stowed condition in which the support structure is held relatively thin and flat.
摘要:
Flexible, lightweight reflective sheets (62) are positioned to concentrate solar radiation upon spacecraft solar panels (46). The sheets are positioned with inner and outer spring members (68, 70) which urge each sheet towards a planar configuration and further urge the sheet in a rotation away from a solar panel face (57). Restraint members in the form of tethers (90) limit this rotation to place the sheet in a deployed position in which it defines an angle with the panel to reflect solar radiation onto the panel face. The increased incident radiation permits a reduction of the number of solar cells with consequent savings in spacecraft cost and weight. The spring members are configured to permit rotation to a stowed position behind the solar panel. In this position, the tethers are received into guides (110) which are configured to initiate automatic deployment of the spring members and their reflective sheets.