초록 ▼

A rigid panel solar array for a spacecraft. The layers of materials for the panels are selected and oriented to control the net coefficient of thermal expansion in the array\s longitudinal direction. Some of the layers are discontinuous and softly coupled to the others by flexible adhesive materials

A rigid panel solar array for a spacecraft. The layers of materials for the panels are selected and oriented to control the net coefficient of thermal expansion in the array\s longitudinal direction. Some of the layers are discontinuous and softly coupled to the others by flexible adhesive materials. The panels are interconnected with hinge members which are positioned at appropriate locations and with appropriate degrees of freedom so that thermally induced transverse bending does not cause transverse motion of the center-of-mass of the panels.

대표청구항 ▼

A solar array for a spacecraft, said array having a longitudinal axis, said array comprising: a plurality of rigid solar panel members connected together in series along said longitudinal axis; and pairs of hinge members positioned between and connecting together each of said panel members; said hin

A solar array for a spacecraft, said array having a longitudinal axis, said array comprising: a plurality of rigid solar panel members connected together in series along said longitudinal axis; and pairs of hinge members positioned between and connecting together each of said panel members; said hinge members being symmetrically positioned substantially at (1/2√3)W, where W is the width of said panel members; wherein the movement of the center of mass of said solar panel members in a direction transverse to said longitudinal axis during thermal induced transverse bending of said solar panel members is substantially minimized; and wherein one of said hinge members of each of said pairs of hinge members has transverse and rotational degrees of freedom, while the other of said hinge members has at least a rotational degree of freedom. A solar array for a spacecraft, said array having a longitudinal axis, said array comprising: a plurality of rigid solar panel members connected together in series along said longitudinal axis; each of said solar panel members comprising a central core member having two planar surfaces, a first layer of face sheet material positioned on a first planar surface of said core material, a second layer of face sheet material positioned on a second planar surface of said core material, an insulating layer positioned on said first layer of face sheet material, and a plurality of solar cells positioned on said insulating layer; said plurality of solar cells having a first coefficient of thermal expansion in the direction of said longitudinal axis; said first and second layers of face sheet material each comprising composites made from a plurality of plies of material, said plies being oriented to provide a second coefficient of thermal expansion in each of said layers in the direction of said longitudinal axis; and said second coefficient of thermal expansion counter balancing and substantially neutralizing said first coefficient of thermal expansion.