WO2000034123A1

WO2000034123A1 - Foldable solar generator for a spacecraft

Info

Publication number: WO2000034123A1
Application number: PCT/DE1999/003769
Authority: WO
Inventors: Jürgen JANSON
Original assignee: Daimlerchrysler Ag
Priority date: 1998-12-04
Filing date: 1999-11-27
Publication date: 2000-06-15
Also published as: DE19855994A1

Abstract

Disclosed is a solar generator for a spacecraft which can be unfolded from a piled-up state to an open state and which has one or more generator areas (40a, b). Said generator areas contain several subareas (41) which are moveably interconnected. Said subareas are lying on top of each other when the generator is in its piled-up state and are spread when the generator is in its open state. A device for unfolding the solar generator contains several longitudinally stretched elements (rods 42, 43) which are pivotally arranged in a plane being parallel to the plane of the respective generator field (40a, b) and which are coupled to the generator field (40a, b), e.g. are spread, when said generator field (40a, b) is pivoted.

Description

DEVELOPABLE SOLAR GENERATOR FOR A SPACING BODY

The invention relates to a solar generator for a spacecraft, which can be deployed from a stowed state to an open state, with a generator field which contains a number of movably connected partial fields which lie one on top of the other in the stowed state of the generator and spread out in the open state of the generator, and with a device for unfolding the solar generator.

To power spacecraft, such as telecommunications satellites, deployable solar generators are used that contain one or more generator fields that are folded into a jammed state for transport into earth orbit and unfolded into an open state after reaching earth orbit. For transport, the solar generator should take up as little space as possible in its stowed state; after unfolding, it should provide as large an area as possible for converting solar radiation into electrical energy. In order not to endanger the commissioning and thus the use of the spacecraft in earth's orbit, a high degree of reliability of the deployment process is essential for the solar generator.

Several deployable solar generators for spacecraft are known which have generator fields which contain a number of subfields which are movably connected to one another, lie one on top of the other in the stowed state of the generator and spread out in the open state of the generator, a device for unfolding the solar generator being provided.

For example, from DE 32 23 839 AI a deployable solar generator for a spacecraft is known, which consists of two accordion-folded generator fields formed by a number of movably connected sub-fields consists. These can be unfolded from a folded position, in which the subfields of the generator field lie compactly on top of one another, into an essentially flat position. Two generator fields initially stowed side by side on the surface of the spacecraft in the folded state are first spread out during the deployment so that they lie in one plane, and then stretched and unfolded by means of a deployable mast. The deployable mast consists of two mast sections connected by means of a hinge, the ends of the mast sections remote from the hinge being coupled to respective end members of the generator fields folded in accordion shape. When the generator fields are deployed, the scissors formed by the two mast sections of the deployable mast describe a movement in a plane perpendicular to the plane of the generator fields.

DE 32 10 312 C3 discloses a deployable solar generator for a spacecraft which contains a generator field which is formed from a plurality of carrier film sections connected by hinges in the manner of piano hinge hinges.

From DE 33 16 789 C2 a deployable solar generator for a spacecraft is known, which in turn contains a generator field formed from a number of sub-fields interconnected in the manner of an accordion. In the stowed state, the partial fields are accommodated one on top of the other in a container, from which they are unfolded during the unfolding process by means of a cable pull mechanism and a movable mast, which is coupled to an end member of the generator field.

The object of the invention is to provide a simply constructed, light weight and reliably deployable solar generator for a spacecraft.

This object is achieved by a deployable solar generator with the features specified in claim 1. Advantageous refinements of the solar generator according to the invention are characterized in the subclaims.

According to the invention, a solar generator for a spacecraft is created, which can be deployed from a stowed state to an open state. The solar generator contains at least one generator field which contains a number of movably connected sub-fields which lie one on top of the other in the stowed state of the generator and spread out in the open state of the generator. A device for unfolding the solar generator is also provided. According to the invention it is provided that the device for unfolding the solar generator contains a number of longitudinally extended elements which are arranged pivotably in a plane parallel to the plane of the generator field and are coupled to the generator field in the sense of spreading the same when the longitudinally extended elements are pivoted.

The longitudinally extended elements are preferably movably connected to one another.

In particular, it is provided that the longitudinally extended elements are movably connected to one another at their ends.

The longitudinally extended elements can be connected to one another by joints or by flexible elements.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the elongated elements are arranged in a zigzag shape.

According to a further development of this, it is provided that the longitudinally extended elements form two zigzag arrangements extending over the length of the spread generator field.

According to an alternative embodiment of the invention, the longitudinally extended elements can be arranged in a scissor-shaped manner crossing one or more times. The ends of the arrangement formed by the longitudinally extended elements are preferably movably connected to end members of the generator field by joints or flexible elements.

The arrangement formed by the longitudinally extended elements is preferably arranged on the rear of the generator field.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the generator field is formed by flexible sub-fields arranged in accordion form or connected to one another by hinges, and at least some of the sub-fields are connected to the longitudinally extended elements by coupling members.

The longitudinally extended elements are advantageously designed as lightweight components.

According to a particularly advantageous and simple embodiment, the elongated elements are formed by rods.

According to a development of the invention, the solar generator contains two diametrically arranged generator fields.

According to an advantageous further development of the invention, it is provided that the generator feeder (s) are arranged on a holding and actuating device which serves to adjust the position of the generator fields and which is connected to the spacecraft by means of a deployable mast.

A further development of the aforementioned embodiment of the invention is particularly advantageous, in which the two generator fields in the stowed state of the solar generator with partial fields lying one on top of the other are arranged in the form of flat packets in a stowed position next to one another on a surface of the spacecraft, the flat packets formed by the partial fields lying on one another are rotatable into an unfolding position by means of the holding and actuating device. This can be further developed in that the flat packets formed by the partial fields lying one on top of the other can be rotated in the unfolded position into a position with partial fields of the respective flat packets rotated essentially parallel to one another.

In the latter embodiments of the invention, it is advantageous if the folded mast is accommodated in the stowed state of the solar generator in a space between the flat packages formed by the partial fields lying one on top of the other.

Exemplary embodiments of the invention are explained below with reference to the drawing. Show it:

Fig. La) and b) in plan view a deployable solar generator for a spacecraft according to a first embodiment of the invention in the folded state or in the unfolded state;

2a) and b) in plan view a deployable solar generator for a spacecraft according to a second embodiment of the invention in the folded state or in the deployed state;

3 shows a perspective view of a deployable solar generator for a spacecraft according to a third exemplary embodiment of the invention in a state during the deployment of the solar generator;

4 shows a deployable solar generator for a spacecraft in accordance with a fourth exemplary embodiment of the invention in a state during the deployment of the solar generator;

5a) to d) four phases of the unfolding process of the deployable solar generator shown in FIG. 2 according to the second exemplary embodiment of the invention; and 6 shows nine phases of the unfolding process of a deployable solar generator according to a fifth exemplary embodiment of the invention.

Fig. La) and b) show a plan view of a first embodiment of a deployable solar generator according to the invention. The deployable solar generator used to power a spacecraft, such as a telecommunications satellite, contains a generator field, which is provided with the reference number 10. The generator field comprises a number of subfields 11 which are movably connected to one another, so that the generator field 10 can be folded and unfolded in an accordion-like manner. The movable connection of the subfields 11 can take place, for example, by hinges in the manner of piano hinge or in that a substrate forming the generator field consists of a flexible material. When the generator is jammed, the subfields 11 lie flat on one another, so that they form a compact package 18, as shown in FIG. When the generator is open, the subfields 11 are spread out so that the generator field 10 reaches its full size, as can be seen in FIG. 1b).

A device for unfolding the solar generator, which is coupled to the generator field 10, is formed by a number of elongated elements 12, which are provided by rods in the exemplary embodiment shown. A total of four rods 12 are provided, two of which are movably connected to one another in the region of the center of the generator field 10 by joints 14, while the distal ends of the rods 12 are coupled to end members 17 of the generator field 10 by means of joints 15. The rods 12 are arranged pivotably in a plane parallel to the plane of the (unfolded) generator field 10 and, when pivoted from the stowed position of the generator field 10 shown in FIG. 1 a) into the unfolded position shown in FIG. 1 b), cause the sub-fields to spread out 11. For this purpose, the device for unfolding the solar generator formed by the rods 12 is coupled to at least some of the subfields 11, at least namely via the End elements 17 with the last partial fields 11 of the generator field 10. In addition, further partial fields 11 can be coupled to the bars 12 by coupling elements 16 in order to expand the partial fields 11.

In the second exemplary embodiment of a deployable solar generator according to the invention shown in FIGS. 2a) and b), in turn, similar to the first exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 1, a generator field, designated overall by reference number 20, is formed by a number of subfields 21 which are movable are interconnected. When the generator field 20 is stowed, the individual partial fields 21 lie one on top of the other to form a compact flat packet 28, as shown in FIG. 1 a), while FIG. 1 b) shows the unfolded state of the generator field 20 with spread out partial fields 21.

A device for unfolding the generator field 20 is formed by elongated elements in the form of bars 22, 23. Of these rods 22, 23, two first rods 22 are arranged in a scissors-like manner, and are connected at their ends to joints 24 with second rods 23. The distal ends of these rods 23 are coupled by means of joints 25 to end members 27, which are each connected to the partial fields 21 located at the ends of the generator field 20. When the first rods 22 are pivoted in a scissor-like manner, the subfields 21 are moved in the sense of a spreading thereof, the device formed by the rods 22, 23 for unfolding the generator field via the joints 25 and the end members 27 at least onto the ends of the generator field 20 located subfields 21 acts. In addition, coupling members 26 can be provided, with which the device formed by the rods 22, 23 for unfolding the solar generator can be coupled to further subfields 21.

Four phases during the unfolding of the second embodiment of the deployable according to the invention shown in FIG. 2 Solar generators are shown in Fig. 5a) to d). When the solar generator is stowed, the subfields 21 of the generator field 20 lie one on top of the other so that they form a compact package 28, as shown in FIG. 5a). The device for unfolding the solar generator formed by the rods 22, 23 is completely folded up.

To unfold the generator field 20, the device formed by the rods 22, 23 for unfolding the solar generator is moved in a scissor-like manner by means of a drive (not shown in the figure), so that the end members 27 coupled with the second rods 23 and thus the Move the partial fields 21 located at the respective ends of the generator field 20 apart.

As this movement continues, the subfields 21 of the generator field 20 are pulled apart in the manner of an accordion, as shown in FIG. 5c).

In the fully unfolded state of the generator field 20, which is shown in FIG. 5d), the subfields 21 are completely pulled apart, so that the generator field 20 is spread out to its full size.

3 shows a third exemplary embodiment of a deployable solar generator according to the invention, the generator field of which is designated as a whole by reference numeral 30. The generator field 30 consists of a number of subfields 31 which are movably connected to one another in an accordion-like manner. The individual subfields 31 can in turn be connected, for example, by hinges in the manner of piano hinge or by a flexible substrate. A device for unfolding the solar generator is formed in the form of two zigzag arrangements which extend over the length of the generator field 30 and which are each formed from elongated elements 32, 33 in the form of bars. First rods 32 are each connected to one another by joints or flexible elements 34. There are second rods at the ends 33 on the one hand, in turn, by means of articulated connections 34 to the adjacent first rods 32 and at the other end by means of joints 35 to end members 37, which are provided on the respective last subfields 31 of the generator field 30. In the middle, each of the rods 32 is rotatably coupled to it by means of a coupling member 36 in the area of the hinge-like connections of two adjacent sub-fields 31. As can be seen in FIG. 3, the two arrangements formed by the rods 32, 33 each run in the opposite sense in a zigzag shape over the length of the generator field 30.

4 shows a deployable solar generator according to a fourth exemplary embodiment of the invention. The solar generator contains two diametrically arranged generator fields 40a, b. These are arranged on a common holding and actuating device 80, which is used to adjust the position of the generator fields 40a, b and which is connected to a spacecraft by means of a mast 60, which is merely indicated in FIG. 4 and is usually designed to be deployable. Each of the generator fields 40a, b consists of a number of subfields 41, which in turn are connected to one another in an accordion-like manner, for example via hinges in the manner of piano hinge hinges or by a flexible substrate. For each of the generator fields 40a, b, a device for unfolding the solar generator is provided, which is formed by elongated elements in the form of bars 42, 43. Two first rods 42 are connected to one another at one end by means of joints 44 and to second rods 43 at the other end, the latter being coupled by means of further joints 45 to end members 47 which are provided on the respective last subfields 41 of the generator fields 40a and 40b . In the middle, the first rods 42 are rotatably coupled to them by means of coupling members 46 in the region of the connection of two adjacent sub-fields 41 formed by the hinges or the flexible substrate. The generator fields 40a, b are each spread out by spreading the device for unfolding the solar generator formed from the bars 42, 43. 6 finally shows a fifth exemplary embodiment of the solar generator according to the invention, the sub-figures 1 to 9 each representing phases of the unfolding process of the same. As is only indicated in sub-figure 9, each of the generator fields 50a, b consists of sub-fields 51 which are connected to one another in an accordion-like manner by means of hinges or by a flexible substrate. For each of the generator fields 50a, b there is a device for unfolding by means of elongated elements in the form of bars 52, 53, as can be seen in FIG. First rods 52 are connected to one another at one end by means of joints 54 and to second rods 53 at the other end. The second rods 53 are coupled at their distal ends by means of further joints 55 to end members 57 of the generator fields 50a, b, which are provided on the last partial fields 51 in each case. In the middle, the first rods 52 are each rotatably coupled to them by coupling members 56 in the area of the connection of two adjacent sub-fields 51 formed by the hinges or the flexible substrate. When the device for unfolding the solar generator formed by the rods 52, 53 is spread out, the subfields 51 are spread out until the full size of the generator fields 50a, b is reached, as can be seen in FIG.

The deployment sequence of the solar generator according to the fifth exemplary embodiment of the invention shown in FIG. 6, partial figures 1 to 9 will be described in detail below.

Partial 1:

The subfields 51 of the generator fields 50a, 50b lie one on top of the other to form compact flat packets 58a, b, wherein they are accommodated in a storage bay 3a of the spacecraft parallel to a surface 3 of the same. The packs 58a, b of the generator fields 50a, b are connected to one another by the holding and actuating device 80, and the folded mast 60 is accommodated in this stowed state of the solar generator in a space which is between the flat packs 58a, b of the generator fields 50a, b available is. In this way, the flat packs 58a, b formed by the subfields 51 of the generator fields 50a, b, the holding and actuating device 80 and the foldable mast 60 are stowed on the surface of the spacecraft with the smallest space requirement.

Partial 2 and 3:

The flat packets 58a, b formed by the subfields 51 of the generator fields 50a, b can each be rotated by the holding and actuating device 80 into a position in which the subfields 51 are aligned essentially parallel to one another, cf. Partial Third

Partial 4 to 7:

The deployable mast 60, which consists of two mast sections 61, 62, is unfolded from the originally folded, stowed position into an extended position by means of a drive (not specifically shown in the figure), cf. Partial 7. The deployable mast 60 is attached with its foot to an anchor joint 70 on the surface 3 of the spacecraft.

Partial 8 and 9:

By stretching the device for unfolding the solar generator formed by the rods 52, 53, the generator fields 50a, b are unfolded to their full size, cf. Partial 9. The solar generator is now ready for operation.

The generator fields 50a, b are set at an optimal angle to the direction of the solar radiation by means of the holding and actuating device 80 and by moving the mast 60 by means of the drive (not shown) mentioned above.

Claims

claims

1. Solar generator for a spacecraft made from a jammed

State can be unfolded into an open state, with a generator field (10; 20; 30; 40a, b; 50a, b), which has a number of movably connected sub-fields lying one on top of the other in the stowed state of the generator and spread out in the open state of the generator ( 1 1; 21; 31; 41; 51), and with a device for unfolding the solar generator, the device for unfolding the solar generator comprising a number of elongated elements (10; 22, 23; 32; 33; 42, 43; 52 , 53), which is arranged pivotably in a plane parallel to the plane of the generator field (10; 20, 30; 40a, b; 50a, b) and with the generator field (10; 20; 30; 40a, b; 50a, b) in the sense of spreading the same when pivoting the elongated elements (12; 22, 23; 32, 33; 42, 43; 52, 53) are coupled, characterized in that the elongated elements (12; 22, 23; 32, 33; 42, 43; 52, 53) are movably connected to one another at their ends.

2. Solar generator according to claim 1, characterized in that the longitudinally extended elements (12; 22, 23; 32, 33; 42, 43; 52, 53) are movably connected to one another.

3. Solar generator according to claim 2, characterized in that the elongated elements (12; 22, 23; 32, 33; 42, 43; 52, 53) are movably connected to one another at their ends.

4. Solar generator according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that the longitudinally extended elements (12; 22, 23; 32, 33; 42, 43; 52, 53) connected to one another by joints (14; 24; 34; 44; 54) are.

5. Solar generator according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that the longitudinally extended elements (12; 22, 23; 32, 33; 42, 43; 52, 53) by flexible elements together who are connected.

6. Solar generator according to one of claims 2 to 5, characterized in that the elongated elements (32, 33; 42, 43; 52, 53) are arranged in a zigzag shape.

7. Solar generator according to claim 6, characterized in that the elongated elements (32, 33) form two zigzag arrangements extending over the length of the spread generator field (30).

8. Solar generator according to one of claims 2 to 5, characterized in that the elongated elements (22, 23) are arranged once or several times crossing scissors.

9. Solar generator according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the ends of the arrangement formed by the longitudinally extended elements (12; 22, 23; 32, 33; 42, 43; 52, 53) by joints or flexible elements (15 ; 25; 35; 45; 55) are movably connected to end members (17, 27; 37; 47; 57) of the generator field (10; 20; 30; 40a, b; 50a, b).

10. Solar generator according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the arrangement formed by the elongated elements (12; 22, 23; 32, 33; 42, 43; 52, 53) on the back of the generator field (10; 20th ; 30; 40a, b; 50a, b) is arranged.

11. Solar generator according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the generator field (10; 20; 30; 40a, b; 50a, b) by flexible elements arranged in accordion shape or connected to one another by hinges (11; 21; 31; 41 ; 51) is formed and at least some of the subfields by coupling members (16; 26; 36; 46; 56) with the elongated elements (12; 22, 23; 32, 33; 42, 43; 52, 53) are connected.

12. Solar generator according to one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that the longitudinally extended elements (12; 22, 23; 32, 33; 42, 43; 52, 53) are designed as lightweight components.

13. Solar generator according to one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that the elongated elements (12; 22, 23; 32, 33; 42, 43; 52, 53) are formed by rods.

14. Solar generator according to one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that the solar generator (1) contains two diametrically arranged generator fields (40a, b; 50a, b).

15. Solar generator according to one of claims 1 to 14, characterized in that the one or more generator feeders (10; 20; 30; 40a, b; 50a, b) are arranged on a holding and actuating device (80) which adjust the position of the Generator fields (10; 20; 30; 40a, b; 50a, b) is used and which is connected to the spacecraft (2) by means of a deployable mast (16).

16. Solar generator according to claim 15, characterized in that the two generator fields (50a, b) in the stowed state of the solar generator (1) with partial fields (51) lying one on top of the other in the form of flat packages (58a, b) in a stowed position next to one another on one surface (3) of the spacecraft (2) are arranged, and that the flat packets (58a, b) formed by the partial fields (51) lying on top of one another can be rotated into an unfolding position by means of the holding and actuating device (80).

17. Solar generator according to claim 16, characterized in that the flat packets (58a, b) formed by the superimposed subfields (51) in the unfolding position into a position with subfields (51) of the respective flat packets rotated essentially parallel to one another (58a, b) are rotatable.

Solar generator according to claim 16 or 17, characterized in that the folded mast (60) in the stowed state of the solar generator (1) is accommodated in a space between the flat packages (58a, b) formed by the partial fields (51) lying one on top of the other.