Satellite Solar Panel Deployment via Edge HDRM and Segmentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional satellite solar panel deployment systems face challenges such as increased deployment faults, bulkiness, and reduced power harvesting due to accordion-style arrangements and mid-point attachments, which can lead to orbital debris and inefficient use of launch vehicle space.
Innovation Solution
A system with a satellite body featuring first, second, third, and fourth major sides, where solar panels are attached using first-type hinge mechanisms and secured by a hold down and release mechanism (HDRM) at the edges, allowing for a planar rolled configuration that unfolds into a deployed linear array, reducing the need for mid-point attachments and minimizing bulk.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If accordion-style solar panel arrangement is used, then solar panels can be stowed compactly, but deployment reliability decreases due to increased coordination complexity of multiple tie-down mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The solar panel array is divided into multiple individual panels that can be independently deployed. Each panel has its own hinge mechanism and can be released separately, eliminating the need for coordinated release of multiple tie-down mechanisms while maintaining compact stowage volume.
Solution Approach 2:
The tie-down mechanisms are extracted from the panel edges and relocated to the satellite body. The HDRM is mounted on the satellite body and uses a burn wire to release panels, simplifying the release coordination by having a single release point rather than multiple distributed mechanisms.
2Reliability
If tie-down mechanisms are placed at both edges and center of satellite body, then solar panels can be securely restrained, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The tie-down mechanism is extracted from multiple locations and consolidated into a single HDRM mounted on the satellite body. The burn wire system allows a single release action to free all panels, reducing the number of mechanical components while maintaining secure restraint during launch.
Solution Approach 2:
The burn wire acts as an intermediary element that connects the HDRM to multiple panel attachment points. This allows a single release mechanism to control multiple panels through the burn wire, which severs simultaneously at all attachment points when activated.
3Volume of moving object
If mid-point attachment is used, then solar panels can be folded against satellite body, but power harvesting potential decreases due to reduced effective panel size
Solution Approach 1:
The solar panel array is segmented into multiple panels attached along the edge of the satellite body rather than at a single mid-point. This segmentation allows each panel to contribute to power harvesting while maintaining compact stowage through the hinge mechanism that allows folding against the satellite body.
Solution Approach 2:
The attachment point is moved from a mid-point (one-dimensional constraint) to an edge region (two-dimensional constraint), allowing panels to be arranged in a configuration that maximizes both stowage efficiency and deployed surface area for power harvesting.
4Reliability
If multiple tie-down mechanisms are used, then solar panels can be securely restrained, but orbital debris risk increases due to potential detachment during deployment
Solution Approach 1:
The tie-down mechanisms are extracted from the panel structures and mounted on the satellite body. The burn wire system ensures that all restraints are released simultaneously through a single controlled action, eliminating the risk of detached mechanisms becoming orbital debris.
Solution Approach 2:
The burn wire is a disposable component designed to be consumed during deployment. It serves its purpose of restraining panels during launch and then safely severs to enable deployment, with the severed pieces being small and less likely to become hazardous orbital debris compared to mechanical tie-down mechanisms.
Data Source
AI summary
The disclosed technology includes systems, methods, and mechanism configurations related to satellite solar panels, including stowing arrangements, deployment sequences, special purpose hinges, hold down and release mechanisms, and associated components for controlled deployment of the satellite solar panels.