Invention Grant
- Patent Title: Retractable Z-fold flexible blanket solar array
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Application No.: US17505359Application Date: 2021-10-19
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Publication No.: US12040740B2Publication Date: 2024-07-16
- Inventor: Michael Freestone , Varouj Baghdasarian
- Applicant: Maxar Space LLC
- Applicant Address: US CA Palo Alto
- Assignee: Maxar Space LLC
- Current Assignee: Maxar Space LLC
- Current Assignee Address: US CA Palo Alto
- Agency: Vierra Magen Marcus LLP
- Main IPC: H02S30/20
- IPC: H02S30/20 ; B64G1/44 ; H02S10/40 ; H02S30/10

Abstract:
A solar array structure for a spacecraft includes one or a pair of flexible blanket or other foldable solar arrays and a deployable frame structure. The deployable frame structure includes a T-shaped yoke structure, a T-shaped end structure, and one or more rigid beams, the T-shaped yoke structure connectable to the spacecraft. When deployed, the frame structure tensions the flexible blanket solar array or arrays between the T-shaped yoke structure and the T-shaped end structure. When stowed, the flexible blanket solar array or arrays are folded in an accordion manner to form a stowed pack or packs between the cross-member arms of the T-shaped yoke structure and the T-shaped end structure, also stowed in its own Z-fold arrangement. The cross-member arms of the T-shaped end structure can include a solar array that can provide power before deployment while the flexible blanket solar array is stowed.
Public/Granted literature
- US20230049753A1 RETRACTABLE Z-FOLD FLEXIBLE BLANKET SOLAR ARRAY Public/Granted day:2023-02-16
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