Abstract
In order to improve effective utilization of rigid solar array used in stratospheric airships here, the flexible connection design and light laminated design were introduced to rigid solar array. Based on the analysis of the design scheme, firstly, the equivalent coefficient of thermal conductivity was calculated by the theoretical formula. Subsequently, the temperature variation characteristics of the solar cell module were accurately modeled and simulated by using Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) software. Compared to the results of test samples, the solar cell module described here guaranteed effective output as well as good heat insulating ability, effectively improving the feasibility of the stratospheric airship design. In addition, the simulation model can effectively simulate the temperature variation characteristics of the solar cell, which, therefore, provides technical support for the engineering application.
Highlights
The advantages of stratospheric airships include long endurance, wide-area coverage, strong-survival ability, and low cost of manufacture and maintenance
The temperature variation characteristics of solar cell module were accurately simulated and analyzed by Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) software followed by the verification of the rationality of the design, as well as the validity of the simulation model
The experimental measurement value is substituted into the formula, and the surface temperature of solar cell module is iteratively calculated after the thermal conductivity coefficient of the air and the equivalent thermal conductivity coefficient of the honeycomb are calculated
Summary
The advantages of stratospheric airships include long endurance, wide-area coverage, strong-survival ability, and low cost of manufacture and maintenance. In the conventional design scheme, solar array mounts on the surface of the stratospheric airship; the temperature difference between solar cell surface and envelop surface, where no solar array overcasts, could go up to 60∘C in the daytime, which is discussed by Xia et al [9], because the conversion efficiency of thin film flexible solar array was very low (10 ∼ 12%). The conversion efficiency of the solar cell must be enhanced, and the imperative heat insulation measures between solar cells and the airship envelop must be taken. As for the problems mentioned above, this paper will focus on rigid solar cell, whose conversion efficiency can reach up to 20% and even higher, and effective utilization in the stratospheric airship with rigid-flexible design method. The temperature variation characteristics of solar cell module were accurately simulated and analyzed by Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) software followed by the verification of the rationality of the design, as well as the validity of the simulation model
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