Analysis of dynamic behaviour of inflatable booms in zigzag and modified zigzag folding patterns

The deployment behaviour of inflatable booms with zigzag and modified zigzag folding patterns is experimentally and theoretically investigated in this paper with the aim to deploy the booms as the actuator for future deployable large-scale membrane structures. Regarding the experimental approach, the stable deployment of a modified zigzag folding pattern is demonstrated, and the relation between stable and unstable deployment behaviour is considered in relation to air pressure and flow rate. In terms of the theoretical approach, the folding process and deployment behaviour are simulated using commercially available software (PAM-CRACH and PAM-SAFE). To create folding lines from the zero stress condition in the case of analytical inflatable boom models, the stress distribution and the shapes of the folding lines are considered for the initial self-deployment behaviour and deployment behaviour using the uniform pressure method. From the folding experiments and the results of folding analyses and UPM, the deployment behaviour of inflatable boom models in zigzag and modified zigzag folding patterns is compared by using the finite point-set method. For the sequential deployment behaviour, which is difficult to replicate, the uniform pressure method is used for the calculations, and the relation between inlet air flow and stable deployment behaviour is discussed through comparison of the experimental and analytical results.     

Ultralight deployable booms for solar sails and other large gossamer structures in space

Future solar sail spacecraft which do not need any rocket motors and propellants are a promising option for long-term exploration missions in the solar system. However, they will require ultralight reflective foils and deployable booms which will allow for the unfolding of huge sails. The achievement of an acceptable ratio of reflective sail area and structural mass, which results in a still small, but significant acceleration under the photon pressure of sunlight, is extremely challenging. The same challenging deployment technique is required for the unfolding of large reflector membranes or antennas (gossamer structures). The key elements are the booms which must be stowable in a very small envelope before they reach their destination in space. Such booms were developed by DLR and have been successfully tested under zero-g-conditions during a parabolic flight campaign in February 2009. It could be convincingly demonstrated that the unfolding process is both controllable and reproducible. The booms consisted of two co-bonded omega-shaped carbonfiber half shells with 0.1 mm wall thickness each and had a weight of only 62 g per meter. Two different deployment technologies were tested, one based upon an inflatable 12 μm thick polymer hose inside the boom, the other one using an electromechanical uncoiling device at the tip of each boom. In the latter case, the uncoiling devices will radially fly away from the spacecraft, such that they become “expendable deployment mechanisms” and their mass does not count any more for the spacecraft mass that needs to be accelerated or actively controlled.     

空间结构展开与刚化

空间展开结构具有能构建大型结构、轻质而且成本低廉的特点。在航天器中呈折叠状的空间结构在空间充气展开后,要呈刚化,使其不因温度变化而引起变形并且不会因空间碎片或流星体的碰撞而被损坏。文中提出了展开前的折叠方法和包装效率评估方法。提出了两种刚化薄膜,在储存状态下易于折叠并能保持其所有的性能。一种采用单层薄膜浸渍长储存寿命树脂基的三轴编织纤维,另一种采用宽广温度范围长储存寿命的交互编织纤维刚性薄膜。     

空间结构展开与刚化

空间展开结构具有能构建大型结构、轻质而且成本低廉的特点。在航天器中呈折叠状的空间结构在空间充气展开后，要呈刚化，使其不因温度变化而引起变形并且不会因空间碎片或流星体的碰撞而被损坏。文中提出了展开前的折叠方法和包装效率评估方法。提出了两种刚化薄膜，在储存状态下易于折叠并能保持其所有的性能。一种采用单层薄膜浸渍长储存寿命树脂基的三轴编织纤维，另一种采用宽广温度范围长储存寿命的交互编织纤维刚性薄膜。     

充气太阳能帆板展开动力学数值模拟预报

充气太阳能帆板是一种通过气体驱动支撑管展开的新型太阳能帆板。首先简要介绍其研究进展，然后针对充气展开支撑管，提出了分段式充气体积控制模型，基于LS—DYNA模拟了空间环境下Z型折叠充气太阳能帆板在支撑管无约束与有轴向约束控制时的展开过程，分析了支撑管每折叠段的气压变化，上横板的动力学特性以及基板的平面外振动，预报了展开过程中支撑管与基板的接触碰撞，并通过悬吊式展开试验验证了计算结果。结果表明，本文计算能够预报充气太阳能帆板在空间展开的动力学特性。     

异面压缩下六边形铝蜂窝平均塑性坍塌应力研究

为了研究铝蜂窝在准静态异面压缩下的平均塑性坍塌应力，基于简化的基本折叠单元理论，以单个完整铝蜂窝六边形单元为研究对象，根据能量守恒定律，形成一个基本折叠单元外力所做的功等于屈曲能和膜能的总和，由此分别假设铝蜂窝材料服从Tresca屈服准则或Mises屈服准则，给出了两个准静态异面压缩下铝蜂窝平均塑性坍塌应力的理论计算公式，试验结果验证了理论推导的正确性。提出的公式对研究铝蜂窝的异面压缩性能具有一定的工程指导意义。     

Optical methods for non-contact measurements of membranes

Structures for space applications very often suffer stringent mass constraints. Lightweight structures are developed for this purpose, through the use of deployable and/or inflatable beams, and thin-film membranes. Their inherent properties (low mass and small thickness) preclude the use of conventional measurement methods (accelerometers and displacement transducers for example) during on-ground testing. In this context, innovative non-contact measurement methods need to be investigated for these stretched membranes.The object of the present project is to review existing measurement systems capable of measuring characteristics of membrane space-structures such as: dot-projection videogrammetry (static measurements), stereo-correlation (dynamic and static measurements), fringe projection (wrinkles) and 3D laser scanning vibrometry (dynamic measurements).Therefore, minimum requirements were given for the study in order to have representative test articles covering a wide range of applications. We present test results obtained with the different methods on our test articles.     

空间飞网系统抛射参数优化研究

空间飞网由轻质绳索编织、通过抛射展开形成一定构型网,作为在轨服务的关键技术之一,在空间在轨服务、飞行器回收、轨道清理、空间拦截等领域具有巨大的应用潜力。本文采用ABAQUS建立不同折叠方式松弛飞网有限元模型并进行动力学仿真,提出了飞网展开效果衡量标准,比较了折叠方式对飞网展开性能参数的影响,对飞网的抛射参数：牵引质量块质量、抛射角度、抛射速度进行了优化设计。仿真表明,折叠方式的优劣是飞网有效展开的关键;在给定的参数范围内,得到了飞网抛射参数的最优值。     

超燃冲压发动机隔离段内附面层/激波串相互干扰研究

隔离段内激波串的产生和发展以及激波/附面层相互干扰现象是极为复杂的,有效地进行激波串的组织是研究隔离段的关键所在,而其性能的好坏直接影响着超燃冲压发动机的性能。采用数值模拟的方法对不同来流附面层厚度工况的二维轴对称隔离段内流场流动特性进行了数值计算,分析了附面层/激波相互作用机理和附面层对隔离段激波串及隔离段性能的影响。结构表明:压缩-膨胀-再压缩-再膨胀……的气流流动挤压过程导致激波串的形成,逆压梯度的存在构成了附面层分离;附面层厚度的增加影响着激波串起始位置和结构;随着附面层厚度的增加,出口总压恢复系数和质量平均马赫数降低,且随着反压增大,变化趋势趋于明显。     

航天器可展开薄膜遮光罩机械设计的发展与展望

从可展开薄膜遮光罩的几何构型、展开驱动技术、薄膜折痕设计和薄膜褶皱动力学分析四个方面论述了航天器可展开薄膜遮光罩机械设计的发展现状和特点，在分析比较的基础上对可展开薄膜遮光罩机械设计的发展趋势进行了展望，旨在为航天器可展开薄膜遮光罩的创新发展提供参考。     

几种空间材料激光刻蚀的可行性研究

文章针对Kevlar／环氧蜂窝板热冲击试验中发现镀膜刻蚀栅条断裂的现象,提出改进蜂窝板表面状态的两种措施：（1）在Kevlar表面贴Tedlar薄膜;（2）在Kevlar表面贴胶膜。文章介绍了两种对激光吸收率不同的Tedlar膜和三种空间用胶膜材料在真空镀膜以后,用激光刻蚀后材料的微观表面状态、基体损伤等情况,最后得出这几种材料的激光刻蚀可行性结论。     

Electrostatically inflated gossamer space structure voltage requirements due to orbital perturbations

This paper explores the concept of using electrostatic forces for deployment of gossamer space structures. The Electrostatically Inflated Membrane Structure (EIMS) uses two conducting membranes that are interconnected through membrane ribs. An absolute electrostatic charge is applied to the structure through active charge emission. This causes repulsion between layers of lightweight membranes that inflates the EIMS system and tensions the membranes. Assuming positive tensions, the EIMS system is modeled as a rigid system. Typical orbital perturbations are considered such as solar radiation pressure, differential gravity, and atmospheric drag which may compress the structure leading to shape destabilization. Restricting the analysis in this paper to flat membranes, the minimum potentials required to exactly compensate for the worst case scenario of differential solar radiation pressure at geostationary altitudes are estimated to be on the order of hundreds of volts. In low Earth orbit, voltage magnitudes of several kilovolts are required to reach an inflation pressure to offset the normal compressive drag pressure.     

Sensitivity studies of the deployment of a square inflatable solar sail with vanes

This paper summarizes the results of numerical experiments to determine the sensitivity of the final attitude of an inflatable solar sail with vanes after deployment to various parameters affecting the deployment process. These parameters are: in- and out-of-plane asymmetries during deployment, length inflation profile, and vane deployment failures. We show how robust the sail deployment is to geometric asymmetries before a 35° off-Sun angle is reached. Differential delays in the time to inflate the booms and a boom sweep-back angle affect the stability favorably. Adjacent vane failures to deploy affect the stability unfavorably, while the failure of opposing vanes is acceptable. Realistic boom length rate profiles obtained during ground tests are used in the simulation showing that failing adjacent vanes in conjunction with initial inflation delays in adjacent booms represent the worst case. We also demonstrate that by feeding back attitude and attitude rate measurements so that a corrective action is taken during the deployment, the final attitude can be maintained very close to the initial attitude, thus mitigating the attitude changes incurred during deployment.     

Iron-sulfide-bearing chimneys as potential catalytic energy traps at life's emergence

The concept that life emerged where alkaline hydrogen-bearing submarine hot springs exhaled into the most ancient acidulous ocean was used as a working hypothesis to investigate the nature of precipitate membranes. Alkaline solutions at 25-70°C and pH between 8 and 12, bearing HS(-)±silicate, were injected slowly into visi-jars containing ferrous chloride to partially simulate the early ocean on this or any other wet and icy, geologically active rocky world. Dependent on pH and sulfide content, fine tubular chimneys and geodal bubbles were generated with semipermeable walls 4-100?μm thick that comprised radial platelets of nanometric mackinawite [FeS]±ferrous hydroxide [～Fe(OH)(2)], accompanied by silica and, at the higher temperature, greigite [Fe(3)S(4)]. Within the chimney walls, these platelets define a myriad of micropores. The interior walls of the chimneys host iron sulfide framboids, while, in cases where the alkaline solution has a pH>11 or relatively low sulfide content, their exteriors exhibit radial flanges with a spacing of ～4?μm that comprise microdendrites of ferrous hydroxide. We speculate that this pattern results from outward and inward radial flow through the chimney walls. The outer Fe(OH)(2) flanges perhaps precipitate where the highly alkaline flow meets the ambient ferrous iron-bearing fluid, while the intervening troughs signal where the acidulous iron-bearing solutions could gain access to the sulfidic and alkaline interior of the chimneys, thereby leading to the precipitation of the framboids. Addition of soluble pentameric peptides enhances membrane durability and accentuates the crenulations on the chimney exteriors. These dynamic patterns may have implications for acid-base catalysis and the natural proton motive force acting through the matrix of the porous inorganic membrane. Thus, within such membranes, steep redox and pH gradients would bear across the nanometric platelets and separate the two counter-flowing solutions, a condition that may have led to the onset of an autotrophic metabolism through the reduction of carbon dioxide.     

Membrane-based space energy collector: A conceptual study

In this work the shape characteristics of a parabolic structure that consists of an initially flat circular membrane subject to solar radiation pressure in the space environment are examined. This problem arises in the analysis of space systems such as solar power collectors and solar sails. This paper presents parametric studies aimed at determining the power concentration capacity of a non-ideally reflecting flat circular membrane as a function of its radius size and thickness. The shape of the deformed membrane is close to parabolic. Both numerical simulations and analytical study show that the thin membrane subject solely to solar radiation pressure can concentrate the sunlight power several hundred times.     

Evaluation of membrane structure designs using boundary web cables for uniform tensioning

A design challenge in large membrane space structures is to apply pretension as uniformly as possible throughout the membrane, without increasing structural mass and volume. The present paper begins with a brief review of existing designs of membranes surrounded by catenary cables and shear compliant borders. The paper then introduces weblike cables that surround the membrane, and analyzes the consequent reduction in mass and volume. In addition, a series of quasi-static finite element analyses demonstrates the attenuation of wrinkles by the web cables when support points are perturbed. The paper concludes that the proposed design preserves a biaxially prestressed membrane even in disturbed conditions, with a minimal suspension-cable mass and volume.     

折叠太阳翼支承点分布优化分析

为了研究支承点分布对折叠太阳翼固有频率的影响,以典型两折叠太阳翼结构为研究对象,根据能量守恒原理和Rayleigh-Ritz理论推导出两折叠太阳翼的振动方程和频率方程。对折叠太阳翼固有特性及支承点分布对其固有特性的影响进行深入分析,并以基频最大为目标对其支承点的分布进行优化,获得最优支承位置。算例分析表明,在给定支承点分布情况下,理论计算结果与有限元分析结果具有较好的一致性。研究结果可为折叠太阳翼支承点分布的设计提供理论分析依据。     

薄膜充气管充气展开特性试验

用展开导轨消除因重力产生的摩擦力,在不同充气速率与初始展开角条件下对薄膜材料充气管的充气展开特性进行了试验研究,获得了展开角,以及展开加速度和内气压的变化规律。试验及分析结果表明:充气管的充气膨胀与展开相互独立,充气膨胀过程近似为等压增容过程,折叠部位的气压变化特性与整体气压变化特性差异明显。     

离箱扰动和折叠翼展开数学模型研究

根据箱式发射导轨与导弹，导弹与折叠翼的约束特点，应用动力学普遍定理和解除约束原理，创建了离箱扰动运动数学模型和拆卸叠翼展开过程计算数学模型，并将计算结果与飞行试验结果作了比较。     

Initial performance assessment of hybrid inflatable structures

Inflatable technology for space applications is under continual development and advances in high strength fibers and rigidizable materials have pushed the limitations of these structures. This has lead to their application in deploying large-aperture antennas, reflectors and solar sails. However, many significant advantages can be achieved by combining inflatable structures with structural stiffeners such as tape springs. These advantages include control of the deployment path of the structure while it is inflating (a past weakness of inflatable structure designs), an increased stiffness of the structure once deployed and a reduction in the required inflation volume. Such structures have been previously constructed at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory focusing on large scale booms. However, due to the high efficiency of these designs they are also appealing to small satellite systems.This article outlines ongoing research work performed at the University of Southampton into the field of small satellite hybrid inflatable structures. Inflatable booms have been constructed and combined with tape spring reinforcements to create simple hybrid structures. These structures have been subjected to bending tests and compared directly to an equivalent inflatable tube without tape spring reinforcement. This enables the stiffness benefits to be determined with respect to the added mass of the tape springs. The paper presents these results, which leads to an initial performance assessment of these structures.