CONCENTRATING SOLAR-ELECTRIC GENERATOR Russian patent published in 2006 - IPC H01L31/42 H01L31/236 B64G1/44 

FIELD: solar-electric power supplies; modular solar-electric generators for space vehicles.

SUBSTANCE: proposed solar generator module has at least one cellular-structure panel 1 incorporating front face sheet, rear face sheet, and cellular lattice in-between. Front sheet mounts alternating rows of solar cells 2 and wedge-shaped reflectors 3. The latter may be of developable type, for instance made of thin film stretched on stiff frame which do not cover solar cells 2 in folded condition. One of generator-module design alternates may have additional cellular-structure lattice attached to rear face sheet. At least one of face sheets is made of polymer incorporating high-heat-conductivity threads positioned in average perpendicular to longitudinal axis of rows of solar cells 2. Module may incorporate at least two hinged cellular panels folded along hinge whose reflectors 3, for instance non-developable ones, are alternating in folded condition without contacting each other. Panel mechanical design affords maintenance of uniform sun radiation distribution among all cells of generator module at small deviations from sun rays. Reflectors may be covered with aluminum layer or better silver one applied by vacuum evaporation and incorporating additional shield.

EFFECT: reduced space requirement, enhanced strength and stiffness of generator panel, reduced mass of passive structure, improved heat transfer from working components of panel.

17 cl, 16 dwg