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Systems and methods for performing shape estimation using sun sensors in large-scale space-based solar power stations

  • US 10,454,565 B2
  • Filed: 08/10/2016
  • Issued: 10/22/2019
  • Est. Priority Date: 08/10/2015
  • Status: Active Grant
First Claim
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1. A space-based solar power station comprising:

  • a plurality of unconnected satellite modules disposed in space in an orbital array formation;

    a plurality of power generation tiles disposed on and forming an independent array on each of the plurality of satellite modules;

    at least one photovoltaic cell disposed on each of the power generation tiles; and

    at least one power transmitter collocated with the at least one photovoltaic cell on each of the power generation tiles and in signal communication therewith such that an electrical current generated by the collection of solar radiation by the at least one photovoltaic cell powers the at least one power transmitter, where each of the at least one power transmitters comprises;

    an antenna; and

    separate control electronics that independently control, based on information from other power generation tiles within the independent array, at least the phase of a radio frequency power signal that feeds the antenna so that the power transmitter is coordinated with power transmitters on other power generation tiles on the plurality of unconnected satellite modules to form a phased array; and

    at least one sun sensor disposed on each of the satellite module that is in signal communication with a microcontroller, where the microcontroller is in signal communication with the control electronics in each of the at least one power transmitter and provides a phase offset signal to the control electronics in each of the at least one power transmitter based upon at least one signal received from the at least one sun sensor.

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