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:
Feb. 13, 2001
Filed:
Nov. 10, 1999
Eugene L. Ralph, San Gabriel, CA (US);
Tecstar Power Systems, City of Industry, CA (US);
Abstract
One embodiment of the present invention is a solar cell array intended for use in space. The solar cell array includes a lightweight, compressible concentrator which can be efficiently deployed. The solar cell array includes a first column of solar cells and a second column of solar cells. A reflective concentrator may be positioned between the first column of solar cells and the second column of solar cells. The reflective concentrator may include a thin film material, where the reflective concentrator is compressible to a first height when in the stowed position. A spring may be coupled to the concentrator, wherein the spring urges the reflective concentrator to a second height when the reflective concentrator is deployed.