Michael I Eskenazi

US Patent:

7301095, Nov 27, 2007

Filed:

Oct 11, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/249143

Inventors:

David M. Murphy - Santa Barbara CA, US
Michael I. Eskenazi - Goleta CA, US
Brian R. Spence - Solvang CA, US

Assignee:

AEC-Able Engineering Co., Inc. - Goleta CA

International Classification:

H01L 25/00

US Classification:

136246, 136292

Abstract:

A solar panel for a spacecraft has a base with a face, and at least one row of solar cells and at least one elongated reflector are mounted on the face of the base. The reflectors and the rows are mounted generally parallel to each other in an alternating fashion. The reflector has first and second reflecting sides when the reflector is in a deployed position. The reflector is mounted so that the first side of the reflector is adjacent to a row of solar cells and reflects radiation incident on the first side onto the adjacent row of solar cells when the reflector is in a deployed position. Preferably, a plurality of rows and a plurality of reflectors are mounted on the face of the base, with at least one of the reflectors being disposed between two adjacent rows of solar cells.

US Patent:

20040016454, Jan 29, 2004

Filed:

Jan 24, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/351454

Inventors:

David Murphy - Santa Barbara CA, US
Michael Eskenazi - Goleta CA, US
Brian Spence - Solvang CA, US

Assignee:

AEC-Able Engineering Co., Inc. - Goleta CA

International Classification:

H01L031/00

US Classification:

136/244000, 136/293000

Abstract:

A solar panel for a spacecraft has a base with a face, and at least one row of solar cells and at least one elongated reflector are mounted on the face of said base. The reflectors and the rows are mounted generally parallel to each other in an alternating fashion. The reflector has a first and a second reflecting side when the reflector is in a deployed position. The reflector is mounted so that the first side of the reflector is adjacent to a row of solar cells and reflects radiation incident on the first side onto the adjacent row of solar cells when said reflector is in a deployed position. Preferably, a plurality of rows and a plurality of reflectors are mounted on the face of the base, with at least one of the reflectors being disposed between two adjacent rows of solar cells.

US Patent:

61776270, Jan 23, 2001

Filed:

Jun 21, 1999

Appl. No.:

9/337624

Inventors:

Dave Murphy - Santa Barbara CA
Michael I. Eskenazi - Goleta CA
Brian R. Spence - Goleta CA

Assignee:

ACE-Able Engineering Co., Inc. - Goleta CA

International Classification:

H01L 2500

US Classification:

136246

Abstract:

An improved solar panel for a spacecraft. The solar panel has a rigid base, at least one row of solar cells, and at least one elongated, collapsible, self-deploying reflector. Preferably, a plurality of rows and the reflectors are mounted on the face of the base and are generally parallel to each other in an alternating fashion. The deployed reflector forms a triangular shape having a first and second reflecting side that reflects radiation onto adjacent rows of solar cells. The collapsible reflector has a reflector sheet and an erector that deploys the sheet to form the triangular shape. The sheet is mounted to the base along its two lengthwise edges. The erector is mounted to the base beneath the sheet and adjacent to one of the sheet's lengthwise edges. The erector has a rigid erector arm that tilts upwardly to engage the underside of the sheet and to deploy the sheet into the triangular shape. The deployed triangular shape comprises a first and second reflecting side that reflects incident radiation onto adjacent rows of solar cells.