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Results for “SOLAR CELL ARRAYS”

Search indexed NASA NTRS and DOE OSTI research on propulsion, heat transfer, battery materials and energy systems. Follow report and document links to the original sources.

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At least 55 records · Page 3
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NASA NTRS1977

Spraylon fluorocarbon encapsulation for silicon solar cell arrays

A development program was performed for evaluating, modifying, and optimizing the Lockheed formulated liquid transparent filmforming Spraylon fluorocarbon protective coating for silicon solar cells and modules. The program objectives were designed to meet the requirements of the low-cost automated solar cell array fabrication process. As part of the study, a computer program was used to establish the limits of the safe working stress in the coated silicon solar cell array system under severe thermal shock.

Source record↗
NASA NTRS1985

Discharges on a negatively biased solar cell array in a charged-particle environment

The charging behavior of a negatively biased solar cell array when subjected to a charged particle environment is studied in the ion density range from 200 to 12,000 ions/sq cm with the applied bias range of -500 to -1400 V. The profile of the surface potentials across the array is related to the presence of discharges. At the low end of the ion density range the solar cell cover slides charge to from 0 to +5 volts independent of the applied voltage. No discharges are seen at bias voltages as large as -1400 V. At the higher ion densities the cover slide potential begins to fluctuate, and becomes significantly negative. Under these conditions discharges can occur. The threshold bias voltage for discharges decreases with increasing ion density. A condition for discharges emerging from the experimental observations is that the average coverslide potential must be more negative than -4 V. The observations presented suggest that the plasma potential near the array becomes negative before a discharge occurs. This suggests that discharges are driven by an instability in the plasma.

Snyder, D. B.↗
NASA NTRS1984

Characteristics of arc currents on a negatively biased solar cell array in a plasma

The time dependence of the emitted currents during arcing on solar cell arrays is being studied. The arcs are characterized using three parameters: the voltage change of the array during the arc (i.e., the charge lost), the peak current during the arc, and the time constant describing the arc current. This paper reports the dependence of these characteristics on two array parameters, the interconnect bias voltage and the array capacitance to ground. It was found that the voltage change of the array during an arc is nearly equal to the bias voltage. The array capacitance, on the other hand, influences both the peak current and the decay time constant of the arc. Both of these characteristics increase with increasing capacitance.

Snyder, D. B.↗
NASA NTRS1984

Characteristics of arc currents on a negatively biased solar cell array in a plasma

The time dependence of the emitted currents during arcing on solar cell arrays is being studied. The arcs are characterized using three parameters: the voltage change of the array during the arc (i.e., the charge lost), the peak current during the arc, and the time constant describing the arc current. This paper reports the dependence of these characteristics on two array parameters, the interconnect bias voltage and the array capacitance to ground. It was found that the voltage change of the array during an arc is nearly equal to the bias voltage. The array capacitance, on the other hand, influences both the peak current and the decay time constant of the arc. Both of these characteristics increase with increasing capacitance.

Snyder, D. B.↗
NASA NTRS1981

Low cost, high concentration ratio solar cell array for space applications

A miniaturized Cassegrainian-type concentrator solar array concept for space applications is described. In-orbit cell operating temperatures near 80 C are achieved with purely passive cell cooling and a net concentration ratio of 100. A multiplicity of miniaturized, rigid solar cell concentrator subassemblies are electrically interconnected in conventional fashion and mounted into rigid frames to form concentrator solar panel assemblies approximately 14-mm thick. A plurality of such interconnected panels forms a stowable and deployable solar cell blanket. It is projected that for 20% efficient silicon cells an array of 500 kW beginning-of-life output capability, including orbiter cradle structures, can be transported by a single shuttle orbiter flight into low earth orbit. In-orbit array specific performance is calculated to be approximately 100 W/sq m and 20 W/kg, including all stowage, deployment and array figure control equipment designed for a 30-year orbital life. Higher efficiency gallium arsenide and multiple band gap solar cells will improve these performance factors correspondingly.

Patterson, R. E.↗
NASA NTRS1975

Thermoelastic analysis of solar cell arrays and their material properties

Announced report discusses experimental test program in which five different solar cell array designs were evaluated by subjecting them to 60 thermal cycles from minus 190 deg to 0.0 deg. Results indicate that solder-coated cells combined with Kovar n-interconnectors and p-interconnectors are more durable under thermal loading than other configurations.

Salama, M. A.↗
NASA NTRS1984

The effect of plasma on solar cell array arc characteristics

The influence from the ambient plasma on the arc characteristics of a negatively biased solar cell array was investigated. The arc characteristics examined were the peak current during an arc, the decay time as the arc terminates, and the charge lost during the arc. These arc characteristics were examined in a nitrogen plasma with charge densities ranging from 15,000 to 45,000 cu cm. Background gas pressures ranged from 8x1,000,000 to 6x100,000 torr. Over these ranges of parameters no significant effect on the arc characteristics were seen. Arc characteristics were also examined for three gas species: helium, nitrogen and argon. The helium arcs have higher peak currents and shorter decay times than nitrogen and argon arcs. There are slight differences in the arc characteristics between nitrogen and argon. These differences may be caused by the differences in mass of the respective species. Also, evidence is presented for an electron emission mechanism appearing as a precursor to solar array arcs. Occassionally the plasma generator could be turned off, and currents could still be detected in the vacuum system. When these currents are presented, arcs may occur.

Snyder, D. B.↗
NASA NTRS1985

The effect of plasma on solar cell array arc characteristics

The influence from the ambient plasma on the arc characteristics of a negatively biased solar cell array was investigated. The arc characteristics examined were the peak current during an arc, the decay time as the arc terminates, and the charge lost during the arc. These arc characteristics were examined in a nitrogen plasma with charge densities ranging from 15,000 to 45,000 cu cm. Background gas pressures ranged from 8x1,000,000 to 6x100,000 torr. Over these ranges of parameters no significant effect on the arc characteristics were seen. Arc characteristics were also examined for three gas species: helium, nitrogen and argon. The helium arcs have higher peak currents and shorter decay times than nitrogen and argon arcs. There are slight differences in the arc characteristics between nitrogen and argon. These differences may be caused by the differences in mass of the respective species. Also, evidence is presented for an electron emission mechanism appearing as a precursor to solar array arcs. Occasionally the plasma generator could be turned off, and currents could still be detected in the vacuum system. When these currents are presented, arcs may occur.

Snyder, D. B.↗
NASA NTRS1975

Radiation degradation of solar cell arrays

A method of incorporating a detailed solar cell radiation degradation model into a convenient computational scheme suitable for the solar electric propulsion system is outlined. The study shows that several existing codes may be applied in sequence to solve the problem.

Hill, C. W.↗
NASA NTRS1982

Method of fabricating a solar cell array

A first set of pre-tabbed solar cells are assembled in a predetermined array with at least part of each tab facing upward, each tab being fixed to a bonding pad on one cell and abutting a bonding pad on an adjacent cell. The cells are held in place with a first vacuum support. The array is then inverted onto a second vacuum support which holds the tabs firmly against the cell pads they abut. The cells are exposed to radiation to melt and reflow the solder pads for bonding the tab portions not already fixed to bonding pads to these pads.

Lazzery, Angelo G.↗
NASA NTRS1975

Studies of encapsulant materials for terrestrial solar-cell arrays

Study 1 of this contract is entitled ""Evaluation of World Experience and Properties of Materials for Encapsulation of Terrestrial Solar-Cell Arrays.'' The approach of this study is to review and analyze world experience and to compile data on properties of encapsulants for photovoltaic cells and for related applications. The objective of the effort is to recommend candidate materials and processes for encapsulating terrestrial photovoltaic arrays at low cost for a service life greater than 20 years. The objectives of Study 2, ""Definition of Encapsulant Service Environments and Test Conditions,'' are to develop the climatic/environmental data required to define the frequency and duration of detrimental environmental conditions in a 20-year array lifetime and to develop a corresponding test schedule for encapsulant systems.

Carmichael, D. C.↗