California Institute of Technology

Christophe Leclerc

Seyed Ali Hajimiri

Harry A Atwater

Sergio Pellegrino

Eleftherios E Gdoutos

Manan Arya

Nicolas Lee

Antonio Pedivellano

Fabien A Royer

Multi-functional coilable thin-walled structures that can be implemented within space-based satellite modules, and methods for their manufacture are provided. Multi-functional coilable thin-walled structures are comprised of at least one longeron that is capable of rolling and collapsing upon itself. In some embodiments, the coilable thin-walled longeron is a flange longeron. The flange longeron contains at least two major regions: a web and a plurality of flanges. The web region comprises portions of flanges that are bonded to one another. The plurality of flanges separate from one another on the same end of the web region. The plurality of flanges are similar in thickness and shape.

Coilable thin-walled longerons and coilable structures implementing longerons and methods for their manufacture and coiling

A space-based solar power station, a power generating satellite module and/or a method for collecting solar radiation and transmitting power generated using electrical current produced therefrom, and/or compactible structures and deployment mechanisms used to form and deploy such satellite modules and power generation tiles associated therewith are provided. Each satellite module and/or power generation tile may be formed of a compactable structure and deployment mechanism capable of reducing the payload area required to deliver the satellite module to an orbital formation within the space-based solar power station and reliably deploy it once in orbit.

Large-area structures for compact packaging

Growing community of inventors

Pasadena, CA, United States of America

Christophe Leclerc