General Dynamics (space Systems Division)

General Dynamics Corporation, Space Systems Div.

General Dynamics Corporation, Convair Division

Mickey Cornwall

Theodore G Stern

David M Peterson

Donald A Nirschl

James W Mildice

Jon F Lawrence

Bela Kaincz

A self supporting solar concentrator cell array adapted for use in space applications that includes a plurality of cylindric parabolic reflective mirror surfaces, each of which focus recipient sunlight forwardly onto a focal line which is positioned approximately on the backside of an adjacent mirror surface on which is secured a solar element for converting the focussed sunlight into electricity. A front element extending upwardly from the leading edge of each mirror surface cooperates in providing an aperture through which the focussed sunlight passes and side elements close each cell element. The backside of each mirror is provided with a thermally emissive surface to provide mirror thermal control and allows the mirror to act as a thermal radiator fin for the solar cell elements. The mirror surface is provided with a highly reflective coating such as aluminum or silver to optimize reflectivity. The solar cell concentrator cell array is made by forming an uncured advanced organic composite part blank over a highly polished tool surface to impart the desired mirror surfaces. The solar concentrator cell array is cured, for example, by heated press means to form a unitary integral cell array that is entirely self supporting and provides structural stability while providing optimum electrical power output for minimum weight.

Lightweight solar concentrator cell array

An apparatus and method for providing a specified amount of heat on a test specimen, a portion of a specimen, or multiple specimens, under space-like conditions. This system includes a vacuum chamber in which one or more test specimens are placed. This chamber is evacuated to the necessary vacuum. One or more external sources of high intensity light is used for providing the necessary temperature. One or more reflectors are used for concentrating the high intensity light. A fiber optic light guide is used for receiving concentrated light from the reflector. A port in the vacuum chamber wall is used so that the second end of the light guide can extend into the chamber so that light exiting the second end impinges on a selected area of the test specimen. A positioning apparatus is used for locating the second end of the light guide within the housing adjacent to vary the test specimen area subjected to the light. One or more temperature sensors is used on the test specimens for providing feedback to the temperature controlling system for controlling the amount of light input to the guide to achieve the desired temperature.

Apparatus and method of using fiber-optic light guide for heating

A solar concentrator panel having an array of off axis cylindrical parabolic mirrors with an optical design of relatively short focal length solar cells arranged in line that converts sunlight to electricity. The back surface of the mirrors are used as the solar cell mount and the heat sink for the adjacent mirror. By appropriate positioning of the adjacent mirror so that the focal line of the parabola falls within the boundary or rim of the mirror reflected solar light can be directed to the solar cell mounted on the back of the adjacent mirror and converted to electricity

Solar concentrator array

A deployable/retractable photovoltaic concentrator solar array assembly for space applications that includes a plurality of solar array panels that are carried by a pantograph arm arrangement that is deployable to position the panels in a predetermined canted arrangement for receipt of solar radiation. Each panel includes a plurality of spaced cylindrical off axis parabolic mirrors that concentrate the reflected light on a line that falls upon a series of photovoltaic cells arranged longitudinally along the back of each mirror. The cylindrical parabolic mirrors are aligned with the cylindrical axis perpendicular to the axis about which the panels are canted, so that such canting causes no loss of focus. The array panels may be hardened to resist perceived threats and the pantograph arm arrangement is operable to position the array panels in a preferred orientation according to the nature of the threat. A preferred method of making the parabolic concentrator mirrors and assembling them into array panels is disclosed.

Depolyable retractable photovoltaic concentrator solar array assembly

A modular distributed concentrating collector using a low loss power bus to route solar radiation collected from a plurality of concentrating and collecting dishes to a centralized converted for conversion into electricity in space. The power bus may utilize fiber optic bundles. The collector includes a plurality of adjustable solar collectors to provide optimum tracking of the sun. The arrangement can be folded for stowing in the payload bay of the Space Shuttle or other launch vehicle for transport to a location in space.

Modular distributed concentrating collector using power bus to route

Inexpensive, highly efficient, flexible, fiber optic light guide which includes a plurality of flexible optic fibers which are unclad along their length and arranged in a bundle to increase packing density with all the ends of the fibers of the bundle falling in common planes at the entry and exit ends of the light guide. The flexible optic fiber bundle is provided with a suitable protective cladding which also may include a layer of clad optic fibers that surround the bundle. Light incident at one end of the light guide is reflected internally along the longitudinal length of the guide by a cladding boundary or space boundary so that transmission losses are minimized. Suitable ferrules may be provided at each end of the light guide.

Fiber optic light guide with improved end-to-end efficiency

The solar simulator of the invention comprises a source of high intensity light simulating as closely as possible the spectral radiance of the sun directed through a flexible optic light guide into a chamber and pressure sealed through a chamber wall where this light is then directed on to a test specimen in a column or otherwise. The high intensity light is provided by one or more illuminating sources which can be positioned at the distal end or ends of the fiber optics or embedded within a fiber or liquid optic core.

Solar simulator employing flexible-optics

A point focus solar concentrator which uses various geometries of cylindrical reflector strips some of which are tilted to simulate a point focus by overlaying the line focii of each segment at a coincident point. Several embodiments of the invention are disclosed that use cylindrical parabolic, cylindrical hyperbolic or flat reflector strips to concentrate incident solar energy for use by a solar dynamic engine located at the focal point. Also disclosed is a combined photovoltaic/solar dynamic engine concentrator energy system that uses this arrangement of mirrors.

Growing community of inventors

San Diego, CA, United States of America

Mickey Cornwall