Flexible solar generator panel

• US 4,043,834 A
• Filed: 09/07/1976
• Issued: 08/23/1977
• Est. Priority Date: 09/18/1975
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Telefunken Systemtechnik GmbH
• Original Assignee: Licentia Patent-Verwaltungs-GmbH
• Inventors: Rusch, Dieter
• Primary Examiner(s): Mack, John H.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Weisstuch, Aaron
• Application Number:
  US05/720,653
• Time in Patent Office: 350 Days
• Field of Search: 136/89 SA, 136/89 P, 136/89 PC
• US Class Current: 136/245
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 31/02008 for solar cells or solar cell modules
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 31/042 PV modules or arrays of single PV cells supporting structures for PV modules H02S20/00
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 10/50 Photovoltaic [PV] energy
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 136/292 Space - satellite

Abstract

A solar generator panel for satellite and terrestrial energy supply systems comprises a flexible support having a plurality of solar cells mounted on the support and being rollable and foldable therewith. Connector means are provided for electrically interconnecting the cells in either parallel or series. At least one conducting layer is applied to the opposite side of the support from the solar cells and is adapted to be grounded to the associated satellite or to the earth for the purpose of eliminating charged carriers. The back of the assembly is advantageously provided with a layer of adhesive mixed with electrically conducting particles and particularly silver powder particles which serve to connect the solar cells through to the satellite. The proportion of the electrically conductive particles in the adhesive layer is preferably about 50%.

Claims

1. A solar generator for satellite and terrestrial energy supply systems, comprising a flexible support, a plurality of solar cells mounted on said support and being rollable and foldable therewith, connector means electrically interconnecting said cells, and at least one conducting layer adapted to be grounded to the associated satellite or to the earth and applied to said support on the side opposite said cells for elimination of charge carriers.

2. A solar generator according to claim 1, wherein said conductive layer comprises a mixture of adhesive and conductive particles.

3. A solar generator according to claim 2, wherein said conductive layer comprises electrically conductive silver powder particles.

4. A solar generator according to claim 1, wherein said connector means comprises an electrically conductive layer.

5. A solar generator according to claim 1, wherein said conducting layer comprises an adhesive and conductive particles in an amount of about 50% of the total content.

6. A solar generator according to claim 1, wherein said conducting layer comprises at least one conductive layer applied to the back of said support by adhesive.