Telescoping Mast Solar Array for Transportable Energy Harvesting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current solar renewable energy systems are often permanent, not transportable, difficult to use, require extensive assembly, lack intelligence, and are not easily configurable for social or harsh environments, and do not have shape-shifting capabilities.
Innovation Solution
A deployable solar array apparatus featuring a telescoping mast, pivotally coupled arms, and solar panels with a flexible bellows system, powered by a motor for actuation and controlled by environmental sensors or remote operation, allowing for 2-axis tilting and easy configuration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If solar panels are made permanent and fixed in location, then energy generation stability is improved, but transportability and deployability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The solar array system employs a telescoping mast that can extend and retract, transforming from a static permanent structure to a dynamic deployable system. The mast includes multiple telescoping sections that can be extended to full height for energy generation and retracted for transport, resolving the contradiction between stability and transportability through mechanical dynamics
Solution Approach 2:
The solar array is divided into multiple modular panels that can be independently positioned on the telescoping mast. Each panel can be adjusted along the mast length and between panels, allowing the system to be segmented for compact transport while reconfigured for stable energy generation when deployed
2Stability of the object's composition
If solar arrays are designed for permanent installation, then structural stability is improved, but ease of deployment and reconfiguration deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses a motorized telescoping mechanism with extendable sections that can be rapidly deployed and retracted. The dynamic extension and retraction capability allows quick deployment without extensive assembly, while locking mechanisms maintain structural stability when extended
Solution Approach 2:
Manual assembly operations are replaced with motorized actuation systems that automatically extend the telescoping mast and position solar panels. This substitution reduces deployment complexity and time while maintaining structural integrity through controlled mechanical extension
3Ease of manufacture
If solar panels are fixed in position, then manufacturing simplicity is improved, but adaptability to different environments and configurations deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The solar array consists of multiple standardized modular panels that can be manufactured using simple repetitive processes. Each panel is a uniform module that can be independently manufactured and then configured in different arrangements on the telescoping mast to adapt to various environmental conditions and space constraints
Solution Approach 2:
The standardized solar panels serve multiple functions: they can be positioned at different heights on the telescoping mast, angled to optimize for different sun positions, and reconfigured for various deployment scenarios. This universality provides environmental adaptability while maintaining manufacturing simplicity through standardization
4Device complexity
If solar arrays lack movable components, then device simplicity is improved, but shape-shifting and configurability capabilities deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates a telescoping mast with extendable sections and motorized actuation that enables shape-shifting between compact and extended configurations. The controlled mechanical movement allows the array to adapt its shape and size for different operational and transport requirements while maintaining manageable complexity through systematic design
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
Enables efficient energy harvesting in various environments, easy deployment and retraction, and adaptability to different configurations, enhancing usability and reliability in remote or emergency situations.
Implementation Method 1
Photovoltaic panels (also called solar panels) are well known and are used to generate electricity from sunlight
Data Source
AI summary
A deployable solar array apparatus. There is a telescoping mast, being actuatable between an extended mode and a retracted mode; a pivoting head, coupled to a top portion of the telescoping mast; a plurality of arms, circumferentially and pivotally coupled to the head and extending outwardly therefrom, and actuatable between an extended mode and a retracted mode; and a plurality of solar panels coupled to exterior surfaces of the head and arms.