Microwave power transfer on the DY?

[Harry]

So.. I was wondering why the 'solar panels' on the DY-100 actually look nothing like what you expect solar panels to look like. Then.. i stumbled on this:

http://www.mtt.org/awards/WCB's%20distinguished%20career.htm

Those panels look amazingly like 2 pairs of 'rectennas'. Coupled with the hints of electric propulsion on the DY-100, there could be something to this theory. Of course, this doesnt work within the plot of the episode (deep space travel of a DY-100), and may not be truely feasable or practical.. but the shapes and descriptions sound like something that may have been of influence.

Comments?

 

[Trekker4747]

Those panels look amazingly like 2 pairs of 'rectennas'.

Hee hee. "rect"ennas.

 

[Capt_Jason]

Perhaps they were designed to entrap microwave or other forms of background radiation that might be present during transit for storage? Scotty did say it had "bulky, solid, I think they used to call them" transistor units? Perhaps a purpose-built capacitor system?

Their orientation certainly doesn't suggest that they are transceivers of any sort.

 

[USS Mariner]

Harry said:
So.. I was wondering why the 'solar panels' on the DY-100 actually look nothing like what you expect solar panels to look like. Then.. i stumbled on this:

http://www.mtt.org/awards/WCB's%20distinguished%20career.htm

Those panels look amazingly like 2 pairs of 'rectennas'. Coupled with the hints of electric propulsion on the DY-100, there could be something to this theory. Of course, this doesnt work within the plot of the episode (deep space travel of a DY-100), and may not be truely feasable or practical.. but the shapes and descriptions sound like something that may have been of influence.

Comments?

Harry, I think you've found something that aridas will start doing cartwheels over.

First, it's eerie coincidence that Matt's selection of materials for the DY matched the Microwave antenna concepts so closely.

Secondly, I've got a hunch that would link this nicely with aridas' own musings about 21st-century grav-propulsion.

 

[B.J.]

I've always considered those panels not to be solar panels, but radiators to expel excess heat from the engines.

 

[Ronald Held]

I assumed they were radiators to dump extra energy from the engines and power systems.

 

[Trekker4747]

I assumed they were GNDNs.