Modular Solar Array with Elastic Booms for Stowed Volume Reduction
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current solar array designs for high-power spacecraft applications face challenges in efficiently packaging large solar cell areas, leading to increased weight, complexity, and cost, while struggling to achieve the necessary stowed packaging efficiency, deployed stiffness, and reliability for ultra-high power requirements.
Innovation Solution
A modular deployable solar array system featuring roll-out solar array 'winglet' modules mounted on a central deployable backbone structure, which uses self-deploying elastic booms and a telescopic or articulated backbone configuration to minimize mechanical components, allowing for efficient stowage and deployment without the need for complex actuators or heavy mechanisms.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If rigid panel solar arrays are scaled up to high-power levels, then power production increases, but stowed packaging efficiency deteriorates and mechanical complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The solar array is divided into multiple rigid panel segments that can be individually folded and stacked. Each panel is a separate module that can be independently managed, allowing the large array to be broken down into smaller, more manageable units for stowage while maintaining the overall power production capability when deployed
Solution Approach 2:
The rigid panels are folded and nested within each other in a compact configuration for stowage. The panels are arranged in a hierarchical nesting pattern where smaller panels fit within the structure of larger panels, maximizing the use of available stowed volume while minimizing the overall package size for launch
2Power
If rigid panel solar arrays are scaled up to high-power levels, then power production increases, but stowed volume requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The solar array transitions from a two-dimensional planar structure when deployed to a three-dimensional compact folded configuration for stowage. By utilizing the third dimension through folding and stacking, the large surface area required for high power production is compressed into a small volumetric package that fits within launch vehicle constraints
3Ease of operation
If more mechanical components are used for stowage and deployment, then deployability is improved, but reliability deteriorates and weight increases
Solution Approach 1:
The solar array employs spring-loaded mechanisms and gravity-assisted deployment where the structure itself provides the force needed for deployment. The panels are designed to automatically unfold and extend using stored elastic energy from springs and the gravitational field, eliminating the need for external motors or complex actuation systems that would reduce reliability and increase weight
4Strength
If rigid panels are used for solar array structure, then deployed stiffness is improved, but weight increases
Solution Approach 1:
The solar array structure uses rigid panels only at critical locations where structural support and stiffness are most needed, such as at the panel edges and mounting interfaces. The interconnecting structure and support elements use lighter-weight materials and designs, creating a gradient of structural quality that optimizes the balance between deployed stiffness and overall weight
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
This design significantly reduces the number of mechanical parts, weight, and cost, while enhancing deployment reliability and stiffness, enabling the use of larger solar cell areas with improved packaging efficiency and scalability for high-power applications.
Implementation Method 1
self-deploying elastic booms
Data Source
AI summary
A large area, deployable flexible blanket photovoltaic solar array architecture for high power applications is disclosed. The structure is a modularized and scalable solar array system that provides high power level scalability. The structure is comprised of repeating, similar modular deployable roll-out solar array wings mounted in an opposing manner and along the length of a rigid, strong and efficiently packaged deployable backbone structure. The deployable roll-out solar array building block modular “winglet” elements can be comprised of either a rolled or z-folded flexible photovoltaic blanket configuration, and their structural deployment is motivated by the elastic strain energy of longitudinal roll-out booms. The backbone structure is comprised of a stiff deployable beam structure articulated that is deployed perpendicular with respect to the spacecraft sidewall and latched out. Deployment of the “winglets” can be conducted once the articulated backbone structure has been deployed, is latched, and forms a rigid beam.