Abstract: A concentrating solar array consisting of a roll of reflective film which is stretched between tension wires strung between a pair of wire stays. There is a roll of film and a take up roll such that the film can be unrolled from the storage roll and pulled toward the take-up roll to replace degraded film. A pair of extension arms holds a solar cell at a fixed position relative to the solar concentrator film surface to receive concentrated sunlight. The roll of reflective film ensures the life requirements of the solar concentrator can be met in space, by replacing exposed concentrator film as it degrades.

Abstract: A light weight photovoltaic concentrator having a foldable, easily deployed structure for concentrating solar rays on solar cells for generating electricity is disclosed. The photovoltaic concentrator features a concentrator which can be inflated, for ease of deployment, to a shape for reflecting sunlight onto solar cells. The solar cells are protected from overheating by a protective infrared coating and by being attached to a heat pipe with a fin for radiating excess heat. The inflatable concentrator is inflated by gas stored in the central arm which supports one end of the concentrator. The concentrator is inflated until the epicenters of the front and rear surfaces reach a specified distance and the concentrator is thereafter maintained at this position by addition of additional gas as needed to compensate for leakage. The concentrator may have a means of stiffening the inflated reflective surface by chemical changes activated after the concentrator is deployed.

Abstract: A system for the remote visual inspection of a structure including two vessels, one disposed within the otherand defining an annulus therebetween. A guide member is provided circumferentially about an upper periphery of the two vessels. Mounted on the guide member are two motor-driven, diametrically opposed trolleys which support a flexible track member which extends downwardly through the annulus from one of the trolleys and back up the other side of the annulus to the other trolley. At least one motor-driven carrige is mounted on the track member and carries a camera and light source. By appropriate positioning of the trolleys and the carriage, all the surfaces of the vessels defining the annulus are accessible for visual inspection by the camera. In accordance with a particular preferred embodiment, markers are placed at preselected points in the annulus on one of the vessels to permit verification of the location of the camera and carriage.