US 7,321,095 B2
Solar generator panel and a spacecraft including it
Bernard Boulanger, Frejus (France); and Silvain Legrand, Nice (France)
Assigned to Thales, Neuilly sur Seine (France)
Filed on Oct. 09, 2003, as Appl. No. 10/681,218.
Claims priority of application No. 02 12574 (FR), filed on Oct. 10, 2002.
Prior Publication US 2004/0187906 A1, Sep. 30, 2004
Int. Cl. H01L 31/00 (2006.01)
U.S. Cl. 136—246  [136/292; 136/245] 19 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A solar generator panel, comprising at least one reflector for reflecting solar radiation onto at least one photovoltaic cell disposed on a support panel, and wherein said reflector takes the form of a flexible material blade, a first end of which is fixed to said support panel and a second end of which remains free, and said material has mechanical properties such that, in a first position, in the absence of vertical pressure, it maintains itself erect so that its free end points to outer space, thereby defining an upper face that faces outer space and an opposite lower face that faces said support panel, and, in a second position, in response to vertical pressure, it orients its upper face toward the plane of said support panel.