Industrial Consultancy & Sponsored Research (IC&SR) , IIT Madras
Solar Array for a Rotatable Object
Categories for this Invention
Technology: Solar Array for Rotatable Objects
Category: Aerospace & Defense Technologies
Industry: Aerospace & space
Application: Solar with Satellite
Market: The global market size USD 156.16 billion in 2023, which is estimated to be at USD 167.41 billion in 2024 and projected to reach, growing at a CAGR of 8.05% from 2024 to 2031.
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Problem Statement
- Most deployable solar arrays for spacecraft use crystalline solar cells mounted to rigid honeycomb panels.
- Flexible solar arrays are limited to crystalline solar cell arrays packaged in a long roll or pleated stack.
- Solar cells are typically disposed on a solar array, which is typically used on satellites.
- Solar arrays consist of one or more solar panels electrically attached to each other and to the satellite.
- Each solar panel in a solar array includes numerous individual solar cells, connected together electrically at their adjacent edges.
- Solar arrays also include an underlying structure for deployment of a substantial number of individual solar cells from the satellite body.
- The goal is to minimize the volume of the stowed package of the solar array while maximizing the available solar cell area that can be packaged when stowed and subsequently deployed.
Technology
Solar Array for Rotatable Objects:
- Composed of a flexible sheet with solar cells on its surface.
- Deployment assembly includes links with distal and proximal ends.
- Fixed link ends fixed to the rotatable object.
- The distal end of movable link coupled with adjacent link’s proximal end via pivot joint.
- Flexible sheet’s periphery coupled with movable link’s distal end.
- Deployment assembly allows pivotal rotation of movable link to deploy sheet due to centrifugal force.
Key Features / Value Proposition
Object:
- Provide a solar array for a rotatable object like a satellite that minimizes stowed package volume while maximizing power production.
Features:
- Lightweight,
- stiff, strong, and stable,
- uniform exposure from individual solar panels without external energy.
- Minimizes disturbance loads during rotation of the rotatable object.
- Includes simple, efficient, and cost-effective mechanisms for deployment of the individual solar panels.
- Can be easily retrofitted to conventional satellites.
Advantages:
- Includes flexible sheet with solar cells and deployment assembly.
- Allows pivotal rotation of at least one movable link to deploy the flexible sheet.
- Includes at least four links, damping member, and locking assembly.
- Locking assembly includes rotatable axial member and spring-biased member.
- Spring-biased member moves into internal groove after predetermined angular displacement, locking movement of at least one movable link when the flexible sheet is fully deployed.
Questions about this Technology?
Contact For Licensing
sm-marketing@imail.iitm.ac.in
ipoffice2@iitm.ac.in
Research Lab
Prof. Jayaganthan
Department of Engineering Design
Intellectual Property
IITM IDF Ref. 2428
Patent No: IN 546920
Technology Readiness Level
TRL-6
Technology validated in relevant environment (Industrially relevant enabling technologies)