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:
Apr. 17, 2001
Filed:
Apr. 23, 1997
Robert B. Dally, Santa Barbara, CA (US);
P. Alan Jones, Santa Barbara, CA (US);
Other;
Abstract
A satellite solar array performance optimizing system that isolates a subsection of a solar array to provide power during transfer orbit operation, then connects the subsection in series with an adjacent section to maintain maximum power output at the satellite operating bus voltage. The isolated subsection is provided on an outer panel populated with solar cells in series calculated according to the parameters of the satellite mission to provide maximum power output matching the operating bus voltage. The outer panel subsection of solar cells is connected directly to the operation bus by a passive diode or a mechanical switch such as a latching relay. An adjacent or intermediate panel has a section of solar cells that are connected in series with the subsection of the outer panel and connected through a blocking diode to the operating bus. The intermediate panel is populated with solar cells calculated to complement the solar cells subsection on the outer panel so that they maintain the power requirements of the operating bus when the satellite reaches its final orbit and the solar panels are deployed. The outer panel, intermediate panel and inner panel are populated with solar cells calculated to maintain the power throughout the life of the satellite.