The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Nov. 21, 2000
Filed:
Sep. 04, 1998
L Dwight Gilger, Torrance, CA (US);
TRW Inc., Redondo Beach, CA (US);
Abstract
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.