Patent ID: 6050526
Filing Date: 2000-04-18
Classification: B64G

Abstract:
A solar reflector system for concentrating solar radiation upon a plurality of solar panels which each has a solar cell face and a back face, said solar panels rotatably coupled together to move in an accordion motion between a stored configuration in which said solar panels are in a substantially parallel relationship and a deployed configuration in which said solar panels are in a substantially coplanar relationship, said solar reflector system comprising:a plurality of reflector panels, each rotatably coupled to a respective one of said solar panels to rotate between a stored position proximate to the backface of said respective solar panel and a deployed position in which the reflector panel defines an angle with said respective solar panel sufficient to cause the reflector panel to reflect solar radiation onto the solar cell face of said respective solar panel; andat least one restraint member coupled to a pair of adjacent reflector panels to provide an inhibition of relative movement between said pair so that said pair rotates together from said stored position to said deployed position, said relative-movement inhibition reducing the chance of one of said pair damaging the other of said pair.