Transportable solar power station
A solar operated power station is described for space operation transportable in a spacecraft having a hold with a deck, the power station comprising: a chassis module containing electrical components and circuits of the station and drive system; articulated base support means movably interconnecting the chassis and the spacecraft to guide the displacement of the chassis from the craft; a pair of opposing extensible arms each movably connected at its inboard end to a corresponding side of the chassis for operation by the drive system and extensible outwardly from the chassis side when driven by the drive system, each of the arms having two members and each of the members having two links pivotally interconnected to each other to form a scissor linkage; panel support tubes rotatably mounted transversely of each arm at an outboard end thereof, the panel support tubes being configured to be driven by the drive system when the arms are folded against the chassis sides; and an assembly of solar panels supported by each of the panel support tubes. Each of the solar panel assemblies is configured for packing in a stowed position and including extender means for depolying solar cells of the panel assembly from a retracted position adjacent the chassis to a fully extended position for intercepting rays of sunlight. The tubes are secured to the arms for rotation of the solar panel assemblies from a position pointing toward the deck of the hold during stowage to an outwardly extending position after the chassis has been positioned.
- Assignee:
- Grumman Aerospace Corp., Bethpage, NY
- Patent Number(s):
- US 4630791
- OSTI ID:
- 7146813
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
Similar Records
Wind powered electricity generation system
Solar energy collector panel
Related Subjects
140700* -- Solar Thermal Power Systems
DESIGN
ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT
ELECTRONIC CIRCUITS
ELECTRONIC EQUIPMENT
EQUIPMENT
MECHANICAL STRUCTURES
MOTION
OPERATION
ORBITAL SOLAR POWER PLANTS
POSITIONING
POWER PLANTS
POWER SUPPLIES
ROTATION
SOLAR CELL ARRAYS
SOLAR EQUIPMENT
SOLAR POWER PLANTS
SPACECRAFT POWER SUPPLIES
SUPPORTS