Patents Assigned to Deployable Space Systems, Inc.
  • Patent number: 10239642
    Abstract: A roll-out solar array includes a first mandrel having first and second ends and a second mandrel having first and second ends. A hinge extends between the first and second mandrels, such that the roll-out solar array can transition between a stowed position where the mandrels are in a substantially parallel configuration and a deployed position where the mandrels are in a series configuration. A latch may be provided to lock the roll-out solar array in the stowed configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Assignee: Deployable Space Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian R. Spence, Stephen F. White
  • Patent number: 10189582
    Abstract: An elastically deployable panel structure for space solar array applications includes a support structure having a first stowed configuration and a second deployed configuration. The stowed configuration has elastic strain energy that powers deployment of the support structure. The elastically deployable panel structure does not include a boom. Longitudinal edges of the support structure may be curved downward to form an open cylinder when in the deployed configuration. The support structure is configured to be operable as a mounting surface for solar cell arrays.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: DEPLOYABLE SPACE SYSTEMS, INC.
    Inventors: Brian R Spence, Stephen F White, Mark V Douglas
  • Patent number: 9620658
    Abstract: A modular, lightweight, high-survivable, photovoltaic flexible blanket assembly for a space solar array is disclosed. The modular blanket is an accordion foldable or rollable flexible photovoltaic solar panel blanket assembly comprising a plurality of common photovoltaic modules spaced in an orthogonal pattern. Each module is mechanically attached with multiple low profile fasteners on their backside to an open weave mesh tensioned backplane structure. The backplane forms a tensioned dimensionally stable planar surface in the deployed configuration onto which the modules are suspended. Each module is common and comprised of a rectangular substrate that includes solar cell assemblies, circuitry, exposed electrical contacts for integration of blanket-level harnessing, and frontside and rearside shielding and coatings as required for the mission application.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: Deployable Space Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian R Spence, Stephen F White, Mark V Douglas, Kevin B Schmid, Ron S Takeda
  • Patent number: 9611056
    Abstract: An elastic roll out boom includes a thin wall, tubular, elongate structure having a plurality of interlocking elements disposed in spaced-apart relation along the surface thereof. The elastic roll out boom is configured to be flattened and rolled tightly to form a roll in a stowed configuration. The plurality of interlocking elements are positioned such that a first interlocking element engages a second interlocking element when the elastic roll out boom is in the stowed configuration. This prevents shear displacement between layers of the roll out boom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2017
    Assignee: DEPLOYABLE SPACE SYSTEMS, INC.
    Inventors: Brian R. Spence, Stephen F. White
  • Patent number: 9604737
    Abstract: A directionally-controlled roll-out elastically deployable solar array structure is disclosed. The structure includes one or more longitudinal elastic roll out booms that may be closed section or open section to allow for efficient rolled packaging onto a lateral mandrel. A flexible photovoltaic blanket is attached to a tip structure and to a lateral base support structure, but remains uncoupled from the longitudinal booms. The solar array system may be stowed simultaneously into a rolled package comprised of the roll out booms and the flexible planar blanket together, or onto independent rolls. Alternatively, the system may be stowed by rolling the booms, and accordion Z-folding the hinged flexible photovoltaic blanket into a flat stack. Structural deployment is motivated by the elastic strain energy of the roll out booms, and several methods of deployment direction control are provided to ensure a known, controlled, and unidirectional deployment path of the elastically unrolling booms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: Deployable Space Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian R Spence, Stephen F White
  • Patent number: 9450131
    Abstract: A rollable and accordion foldable refractive lens concentrator flexible solar array blanket structure assembly for a spacecraft/satellite application consisting of at least one or more rows of electrically interconnected solar cells and at least one or more rows of deployable elongated refractive lenses elevated and aligned from the top surface of the solar cells. The entire blanket assembly, inclusive of lenses and solar cell substrates, kinematically deploys by unrolling or unfolding the assembly for its stowed package configuration, and the final tensioning of the blanket assembly produces an aligned assembly where the solar cell substrate subassembly and the lens subassembly are coplanar. Deployment of the integrated blanket assembly (with refractive lenses) is directly coupled through the unrolling or the accordion unfolding deployment kinematics of the concentrator blanket assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2016
    Assignee: Deployable Space Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian R Spence, Stephen F White, Kevin Schmid
  • Patent number: 9444004
    Abstract: An automated system provides automated manufacturing of photovoltaic standard power modules for utilization in a space solar array, in both rolled blanket and z-folded configurations. The automated system provides robotically controlled systems for CIC-ing, glassing, stringing, laydown and acceptance testing of interconnected photovoltaic devices. A method of manufacturing the photovoltaic standard power modules includes the steps of robotic positioning of diodes, interconnects and busbars onto a SPM stringing tray followed by the robotic positioning of bare cells into position adjacent to the diodes, interconnects and busbars to form strings. The SPM stringing tray is thereafter robotically positioned adjacent to an integral welder for welding of the front side of the string. Cover glass is thereafter robotically placed over the cells. The string is flipped and the backside of the string is robotically positioned for welding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2016
    Assignee: Deployable Space Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian R Spence, Stephen F White, Tiffany N Allmandinger, Paul Cronin
  • Patent number: 9346566
    Abstract: A directionally-controlled roll-out elastically deployable solar array structure is disclosed. The structure includes one or more longitudinal elastic roll out booms that may be closed section or open section to allow for efficient rolled packaging onto a lateral mandrel. A flexible photovoltaic blanket is attached to a tip structure and to a lateral base support structure, but remains uncoupled from the longitudinal booms. The solar array system may be stowed simultaneously into a rolled package comprised of the roll out booms and the flexible planar blanket together, or onto independent rolls. Alternatively, the system may be stowed by rolling the booms, and accordion Z-folding the hinged flexible photovoltaic blanket into a flat stack. Structural deployment is motivated by the elastic strain energy of the roll out booms, and several methods of deployment direction control are provided to ensure a known, controlled, and unidirectional deployment path of the elastically unrolling booms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2016
    Assignee: Deployable Space Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian R Spence, Stephen F White
  • Patent number: 9156568
    Abstract: An elastically deployable three-dimensional panel structure for a solar array that can be collapsed to a flattened state and subsequently rolled, bended, or folded to achieve a compact stowage volume. The panel structure has top facing planar surface region on which one or more photovoltaic modules are attached, and other non-planar regions, located at the structure edges, that increase the deployed stiffness and strength of the structure. The deployable structure may include one or more panel structure modules mechanically interconnected in series and one or more photovoltaic modules electrically interconnected and mechanically adhered to the panel structure surface or tensioned within an openings within in the panel structure. Structural deployment is motivated by the elastic strain energy of the one or more panel structures from their stowed state. Deployment control is provided to ensure a known and repeatable deployment path through interlocking strips attached to one or more panel structures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2015
    Assignee: Deployable Space Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian R Spence, Stephen F White, Mark V Douglas
  • Patent number: 9120583
    Abstract: A large area, deployable flexible blanket photovoltaic solar array architecture for high power applications is disclosed. The structure is a modularized and scalable solar array system that provides high power level scalability. The structure is comprised of repeating, similar modular deployable roll-out solar array wings mounted in an opposing manner and along the length of a rigid, strong and efficiently packaged deployable backbone structure. The deployable roll-out solar array building block modular “winglet” elements can be comprised of either a rolled or z-folded flexible photovoltaic blanket configuration, and their structural deployment is motivated by the elastic strain energy of longitudinal roll-out booms. The backbone structure is comprised of a stiff deployable beam structure articulated that is deployed perpendicular with respect to the spacecraft sidewall and latched out.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2015
    Assignee: Deployable Space Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian R Spence, Steven F White, Peter Sorenson
  • Patent number: 8893442
    Abstract: A long, elastically deployable tubular boom structure consisting of two or more thin-walled booms with a continuous longitudinal slit-opening along its entire length on the backside and a composite reinforced or metallic construction. The slit-opening, thin-walled tubular section accompanied by the boom elastic properties and unique fastening method between the boom segments allows the segmented boom to be flattened and then rolled up into an extremely compact cylindrical stowage volume. The boom elastically and immediately deploys from a rolled stowed configuration under its own strain energy without use of a motor or other complicated actuators/mechanisms. The segmented construction of multiple tube elements allows for unlimited boom lengths and enables unlimited structure scaling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2014
    Assignee: Deployable Space Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian R. Spence, Steve F. White, Mark V. Douglas, Kevin B. Schmid, Donald G. R. Carter
  • Publication number: 20140150863
    Abstract: A directionally-controlled roll-out elastically deployable solar array structure is disclosed. The structure includes one or more longitudinal elastic roll out booms that may be closed section or open section to allow for efficient rolled packaging onto a lateral mandrel. A flexible photovoltaic blanket is attached to a tip structure and to a lateral base support structure, but remains uncoupled from the longitudinal booms. The solar array system may be stowed simultaneously into a rolled package comprised of the roll out booms and the flexible planar blanket together, or onto independent rolls. Alternatively, the system may be stowed by rolling the booms, and accordion Z-folding the hinged flexible photovoltaic blanket into a flat stack. Structural deployment is motivated by the elastic strain energy of the roll out booms, and several methods of deployment direction control are provided to ensure a known, controlled, and unidirectional deployment path of the elastically unrolling booms.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 5, 2014
    Publication date: June 5, 2014
    Applicant: Deployable Space Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian R. Spence, Stephen F. White
  • Patent number: 8683755
    Abstract: A directionally-controlled roll-out elastically deployable solar array structure is disclosed. The structure includes one or more longitudinal elastic roll out booms that may be closed section or open section to allow for efficient rolled packaging onto a lateral mandrel. A flexible photovoltaic blanket is attached to a tip structure and to a lateral base support structure, but remains uncoupled from the longitudinal booms. The solar array system may be stowed simultaneously into a rolled package comprised of the roll out booms and the flexible planar blanket together, or onto independent rolls. Alternatively, the system may be stowed by rolling the booms, and accordion Z-folding the hinged flexible photovoltaic blanket into a flat stack. Structural deployment is motivated by the elastic strain energy of the roll out booms, and several methods of deployment direction control are provided to ensure a known, controlled, and unidirectional deployment path of the elastically unrolling booms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: Deployable Space Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian R Spence, Stephen F White