Compactable Solar Power Arrays for Space Launch
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Solution Overview
Problem
Space-based solar structures face challenges in achieving commercially viable energy generation due to the high cost of launching large-scale structures into space, necessitating compact and lightweight designs, whereas ground-based systems can be bulky and inefficient without these constraints.
Innovation Solution
A compactable solar power generation array is developed, featuring solar concentrators with a curved body and resilient connectors that deploy to redirect solar radiation onto photovoltaic cells, utilizing carbon fiber matrices and reflective materials to optimize energy collection and reduce mass, and incorporating flexible structural support layers for self-deployment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If large arrays are used to generate commercially viable energy, then power generation capacity is improved, but launch cost increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The solar power generation system is divided into multiple modular units (tiles) that can be independently deployed. Each tile contains integrated photovoltaic cells and concentrator optics, allowing the system to scale in discrete units rather than requiring a single large structure, thereby reducing launch cost while maintaining power generation capacity.
Solution Approach 2:
The design integrates multiple functional components within nested structures - photovoltaic cells are positioned at the focal points of concentrator optics, which are themselves integrated into the tile structure. This nesting allows maximum power generation density within minimum mass constraints.
2Productivity
If solar concentrators are deployed to redirect solar radiation onto photovoltaic cells, then energy collection efficiency is improved, but structural complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Parabolic concentrator optics with curved surfaces are used to redirect solar radiation onto photovoltaic cells. The curved geometry naturally focuses parallel sunlight rays to a focal point, achieving high energy collection efficiency without requiring complex mechanical adjustment mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The concentrator optics are designed to automatically track and focus sunlight based on their geometric configuration, eliminating the need for active control systems or complex mechanical tracking mechanisms. The structure serves its own optical function through its inherent geometry.
3Weight of stationary object
If compactable design is used to reduce mass and volume, then launch cost is reduced, but deployment mechanism complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The solar tiles incorporate deployable mechanisms that transition from a compact stowed configuration during launch to a deployed operational configuration in space. The concentrator optics and photovoltaic cells are arranged to fold or collapse along with the tile structure, reducing mass and volume for launch while maintaining full functionality when deployed.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The compactable design reduces the mass and volume of solar power generation arrays, enabling more efficient energy collection per unit mass, lowering launch costs, and improving the practicality of space-based solar power systems by allowing for greater power generation while minimizing weight and complexity.
Implementation Method 1
each of the at least two solar concentrators comprising a curved body having a front reflector surface
Implementation Method 2
at least one photovoltaic cell disposed on at least a portion of the back surface of each of the solar concentrators
Data Source
AI summary
Compactable power generation arrays are provided. The compactable power generation arrays may include a structural substrate body having an array of solar concentrators configured to receive and re-direct solar radiation onto a plurality of photovoltaic (PV) cells. In many other embodiments the PV cells may be disposed upon a back surface of each of the solar concentrators such that an adjacent solar concentrator is configured to re-direct solar radiation onto the PV cell disposed on the back surface of the adjacent solar concentrator.