Systems and Methods for Performing Shape Estimation Using Sun Sensors in Large-Scale Space-Based Solar Power Stations

摘要

A space-based solar power station, a power generating satellite module and/or a method for collecting solar radiation and transmitting power generated using electrical current produced therefrom is provided. Power transmitters can be coordinated as a phased array and the power generated by the phased array is transmitted to one or more power receivers to achieve remote wireless power generation and delivery. In many embodiments, a reference signal is distributed within the space-based solar power station to coordinate the phased array. In several embodiments, determinations of the relative locations of the antennas in the array are generated by an array of sun sensors that estimate the shape of the module to evaluate the phase shift and/or amplitude modulation to apply to the reference signal at each power transmitter.

主权项

1. A space-based solar power station comprising:
a plurality of unconnected satellite modules disposed in space in an orbital array formation; a plurality of power generation tiles disposed on each of the plurality of satellite modules; at least one photovoltaic cell disposed on each of the power generation tiles; and at least one power transmitter collocated with the at least one photovoltaic cell on each of the power generation tiles and in signal communication therewith such that an electrical current generated by the collection of solar radiation by the at least one photovoltaic cell powers the at least one power transmitter, where each of the at least one power transmitters comprises:
an antenna; andcontrol electronics that controls at least the phase of a radio frequency power signal that feeds the antenna so that the power transmitter is coordinated with power transmitters on other power generation tiles to form a phased array; andat least one sun sensor disposed on the satellite module that is in signal communication with a microcontroller, where the microcontroller is in signal communication with the control electronics in each of the at least one power transmitter and provides a phase offset signal to the control electronics in each of the at least one power transmitter based upon at least one signal received from the at least one sun sensor.