STOWABLE TRACKING PHOTOVOLTAIC ARRAY
First Claim
1. An apparatus, comprising:
- a central hub;
a plurality of photovoltaic segments coupled to the central hub, wherein the photovoltaic segments are selectively positioned between a stowed arrangement and a deployed arrangement by operation of the central hub, wherein;
in the stowed arrangement, the photovoltaic segments are stacked;
in the deployed arrangement, the photovoltaic segments are azimuthally displaced about the central hub, each of the photovoltaic segments are interlocked with an adjacent two of the photovoltaic segments; and
the plurality of photovoltaic segments are configured to supply a potential difference across electrical terminals when exposed to incident radiation; and
at least one adjustable length strut coupled to the plurality of photovoltaic segments;
a control system coupled to the strut, wherein the control system is configured to control the strut to dynamically orient the photovoltaic segments so as to adjust power collected from incident radiation, and wherein the control system is configured to dynamically position the photovoltaic segments such that their normal vectors, weighted by their respective active areas, are on average parallel to the incident radiation.
4 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Technologies related to a photovoltaic array apparatus are generally described. In some examples, the apparatus may comprise a central hub, adjustable length struts, and a plurality of photovoltaic segments coupled to the central hub and struts. The photovoltaic segments may be selectively positioned between a stowed arrangement and a deployed arrangement by operation of the central hub and/or struts. In the stowed arrangement, the photovoltaic segments may be stacked, and in the deployed arrangement, the photovoltaic segments may be may be azimuthally displaced about the central hub. A control system coupled to the struts may be configured to control the struts to dynamically orient the photovoltaic segments so as to maximize, or otherwise adjust, power collected from incident radiation.
16 Citations
25 Claims
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1. An apparatus, comprising:
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a central hub; a plurality of photovoltaic segments coupled to the central hub, wherein the photovoltaic segments are selectively positioned between a stowed arrangement and a deployed arrangement by operation of the central hub, wherein; in the stowed arrangement, the photovoltaic segments are stacked; in the deployed arrangement, the photovoltaic segments are azimuthally displaced about the central hub, each of the photovoltaic segments are interlocked with an adjacent two of the photovoltaic segments; and the plurality of photovoltaic segments are configured to supply a potential difference across electrical terminals when exposed to incident radiation; and at least one adjustable length strut coupled to the plurality of photovoltaic segments; a control system coupled to the strut, wherein the control system is configured to control the strut to dynamically orient the photovoltaic segments so as to adjust power collected from incident radiation, and wherein the control system is configured to dynamically position the photovoltaic segments such that their normal vectors, weighted by their respective active areas, are on average parallel to the incident radiation. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24)
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18. (canceled)
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25-53. -53. (canceled)
Specification