Tail-mounted pointable solar panels for solar-powered aircraft

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United States of America Patent

PATENT NO 8356770
SERIAL NO

12904562

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ATTORNEY / AGENT: (SPONSORED)

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Abstract

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An aircraft tail section has a first tail component and a second tail component, the first tail component being positioned further forward than the second tail component with respect to a nose of the aircraft. Each tail component has two surfaces, each of the two surfaces of at least one of the first and second tail components comprises a solar panel configured to collect solar energy. Each tail component is rotatable with respect to a centerline of the aircraft such that an offset angle of between zero degrees and 180 degrees is formed between corresponding surfaces of the first and second tail components. Preferably, the tail components are rotated into (i) a takeoff and landing configuration that is substantially horizontal, and (ii) a crosswise configuration during flight such that collection of solar energy is maximized.

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Patent Owner(s)

  • AURORA FLIGHT SCIENCES CORPORATION

International Classification(s)

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Inventor(s)

Inventor Name Address # of filed Patents Total Citations
Parks, Robert San Jose, US 58 2856

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