Thin-Film Satellite Structure Integrating Antennas and Solar Cells
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing satellites are expensive to launch due to their complex structures and heavy materials, which increase the cost-to-deploy.
Innovation Solution
A structural element for satellites comprising a first side with thin film antennas and a second side with thin film solar panels and/or batteries, where both sides are flexible and can be folded or rolled for deployment, and supported by inflatable elements or shape memory alloy materials.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If traditional heavy materials and complex structures are used for satellites, then structural strength and stability are improved, but launch cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs thin film substrates (e.g., polyimide or polyester films with thickness of 1-25 micrometers) as the base structure for both antenna elements and solar cells. These flexible thin films replace traditional rigid heavy materials, providing sufficient structural strength while dramatically reducing satellite mass. The thin film substrate supports the functional elements and provides mechanical integrity without adding significant weight.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses composite material structures where antenna elements and solar cells are integrated onto the same thin film substrate. This composite approach combines multiple functions (structural support, radiation detection, power generation) into a single lightweight assembly, eliminating the need for separate heavy structural components and reducing overall satellite mass.
2Stability of the object's composition
If traditional complex satellite structures are used, then structural stability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple satellite subsystems (antenna array and solar power generation system) into a single integrated thin film structure. The antenna elements and solar cells are fabricated on the same flexible substrate, eliminating separate structural supports, mounting hardware, and alignment mechanisms, thereby simplifying the overall device complexity while maintaining operational stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The thin film substrate serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides structural support for both antenna and solar cell elements, acts as a flexible deployment mechanism, and enables integrated positioning of functional components. This multi-functionality reduces the number of separate components and simplifies the overall structural design.
3Weight of moving object
If thin film materials are used for structural elements, then mass and volume are reduced, but structural strength decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent specifically selects thin film substrates with optimized thickness (1-25 micrometers) and material properties (such as polyimide or polyester) that provide sufficient tensile strength and dimensional stability for space applications. These thin films are reinforced by the integrated functional elements (antenna conductors and solar cell interconnects) that act as structural strengthening features within the film itself.
Solution Approach 2:
The structural strength is enhanced through the composite nature of the thin film assembly, where the substrate material is combined with conductive antenna traces and solar cell interconnect structures. This composite construction distributes mechanical stresses across multiple layers and materials, providing adequate strength despite the overall thin profile of the structure.
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 solution reduces the mass and volume of satellites, lowering launch costs and enabling a more cost-effective and simplified deployment process.
Implementation Method 1
The support members (or other elements) can be made of a shape memory alloy (SMA) material, such as a nitinol wire or other equivalent extendable structure, that can extend from a compact configuration to deploy the structural element and keep the two sides of the structural element, and hence the two thin films, separated at an appropriate separation distance for the antennas to optimally function at their desired frequency.
Implementation Method 2
The second side may include one or more thin film solar panels and/or one or more thin film batteries. Each thin film solar panel may include a plurality of thin film solar cells.
Data Source
AI summary
A structural element, such as for use in conjunction with a satellite, may include one or more thin film solar cells (108-i), which are supported on a substrate (102), and a plurality of thin film antenna elements (110-i), which are supported on a carrier layer (104). The substrate (102) functions as a ground plane for the antenna elements (110-i).