Force and power characteristics of a resistive exercise device for use in space

We have developed a non-gravity dependent mechanical device, which provides resistance during coupled concentric and eccentric muscle actions, through the inertia of a spinning fly-wheel (Fly-Wheel Ergometry; FWE). Our research shows that lower-limb FWE exercise can produce forces and thus muscular stress comparable to what is typical of advanced resistance training using free weights. FWE also offers greater training stimuli during eccentric relative to concentric muscle actions, as evidenced by force and electromyographic (EMG) measurements. Muscle use of specific muscle groups, as assessed by the exercise-induced contrast shift of magnetic resonance images, is similar during lower-limb FWE and the barbell squat. Unlike free-weight exercise, FWE allows for maximal voluntary effort in each repetition of an exercise bout. Likewise, FWE exercise, not unassisted free-weight exercise, produces eccentric "overload". Collectively, the inherent features of this resistive exercise device and the results of the physiological evaluations we have performed, suggest that resistance exercise using FWE could be used as an effective exercise counter-measure in space. The flywheel principle can be employed to any exercise configuration and designed into a compact device allowing for exercises stressing those muscles and bone structures, which are thought to be most affected by long-duration spaceflight.     

Bone loss during long term space flight is prevented by the application of a short term impulsive mechanical stimulus

In long term space flight, the mechanical forces applied to the skeleton are substantially reduced and are altered in character. This reduced skeletal loading results in a reduction in bone mass. Exercise techniques currently used in space can maintain muscle mass but the mechanical stimulus provided by this exercise does not prevent bone loss. By applying an external impulsive load for a short period each day, which is intended to mimic the heel strike transient, to the lower limb of an astronaut during a long term space flight (5 months), this study tests the hypothesis that the bone cells can be activated by an appropriate external mechanical stimulus to maintain bone mass throughout prolonged periods of weightlessness. A mechanical loading device was developed to produce a loading of the os-calcis similar to that observed during the heel strike transient. The device is activated by the astronaut to provide a transient load to the heel of one leg whilst providing an equivalent exercising load to the other leg. During the EUROMIR95 mission on the MIR space station, an astronaut used this device for a short period daily throughout the duration of the mission. Pre- and post-flight measurements of bone mineral density (BMD) of the os-calcis and femoral neck of the astronaut were made to determine the efficacy of the device in preventing loss of bone mineral during the mission. On the os-calcis which received the mechanical stimulus, BMD was maintained throughout the period of the flight, while it was reduced by up to 7% on the os-calcis which received no stimulus. Post-flight, BMD in both the stimulated and non-stimulated os-calcis reduces, the extent of this reduction however is less in the stimulated os-calcis. For the femoral neck, the mechanical stimulation does not produce a positive effect.     

Precision bone and muscle loss measurements by advanced, multiple projection DEXA (AMPDXA) techniques for spaceflight applications.

An advanced, multiple projection, dual energy x-ray absorptiometry (AMPDXA) scanner system is under development. The AMPDXA is designed to make precision bone and muscle loss measurements necessary to determine the deleterious effects of microgravity on astronauts as well as develop countermeasures to stem their bone and muscle loss. To date, a full size test system has been developed to verify principles and the results of computer simulations. Results indicate that accurate predictions of bone mechanical properties can be determined from as few as three projections, while more projections are needed for a complete, three-dimensional reconstruction.     

空间光谱干涉仪在轨超静超稳平台的设计与地面验证

为了解决星上微振动引起的空间摆臂式傅里叶干涉仪（下文简称干涉仪）运动速度稳定度下降的问题,分析了干涉仪在轨减振任务的特点,提出了同时采用低刚度隔振与高灵敏度阻尼抑振的一体化设计方法,实现了干涉仪超静超稳平台的系统设计。平台采用被动隔振技术隔离卫星中、高频的机械振动,实现干涉仪在轨的“静”,采用电磁阻尼技术消除隔振过程引入的低频共振和晃动,保证干涉仪在轨的“稳”。地面微振动试验中,平台引入后,干涉仪安装位置加速度响应满足微振动环境要求,干涉仪性能稳定,载荷工作正常。     

空间机械臂关节快换接口结构设计与分析

针对宇航员在轨出舱维护需求,提出一种机械锁紧与电气连接独立操作的快换接口,该快换接口具有在空间环境下拆装快速、拆装操作力小的特点,同时满足机械臂的刚度与承载能力。该接口由容差对接接口本体、机械连接锁紧装置、电连接器组件、电连接器插拔装置四个功能模块组成。采用双圆锥面配合设计容差对接凸凹本体结构。根据宇航员舱外操作的需求选择了具有平面浮动能力的快换接口电连接器,设计浮动装置使得该电连接器具有超行程量。采用曲柄滑块结构将操作工具的旋转运动转化为电连接器的直线运动,并基于驱动力矩最小确定曲柄滑块的参数。采用膨胀锁紧原理设计快换接口结构连接锁定装置,分析预紧力衰减对连接刚度的影响。     

Spatial factors and muscle spindle input influence the generation of neuromuscular responses to stimulation of the human foot

Removal of the mechanical pressure gradient on the soles leads to physiological adaptations that ultimately result in neuromotor degradation during spaceflight. We propose that mechanical stimulation of the soles serves to partially restore the afference associated with bipedal loading and assists in attenuating the negative neuromotor consequences of spaceflight. A dynamic foot stimulus device was used to stimulate the soles in a variety of conditions with different stimulation locations, stimulation patterns and muscle spindle input. Surface electromyography revealed the lateral side of the sole elicited the greatest neuromuscular response in ankle musculature, followed by the medial side, then the heel. These responses were modified by preceding stimulation. Neuromuscular responses were also influenced by the level of muscle spindle input. These results provide important information that can be used to guide the development of a “passive” countermeasure that relies on sole stimulation and can supplement existing exercise protocols during spaceflight.     

卫星对接环减振装置设计与验证

针对相同平台卫星不能满足多种运载力学环境的问题,设计了一种对接环减振装置并进行了试验验证。首先通过分析卫星对接环功能特点,结合金属橡胶材料减振方式,设计了对接环减振装置,构建了卫星-对接环减振系统的动力学模型;然后通过正弦与随机振动试验验证了设计的有效性;其次,将对接环减振装置进行了有限元分析,将有限元分析结果与试验结果进行对比,验证了分析模型的正确性;最后,将所设计的对接环减振装置应用于环境减灾二号(HJ-2)卫星中,通过整星动力学分析验证了该装置的应用效果。     

新型柔索式杆束结构压紧释放装置

针对空间机械臂、空间可展开天线等空间机构在收拢状态的杆束结构压紧与释放问题,提出一种基于柔性索捆绑压紧与热刀释放的新型压紧释放装置。建立了柔索式压紧释放装置锁紧状态的力学模型,分析了静态压紧和考虑惯性载荷情况下的绳索预紧力变化情况,得到了满足可靠压紧的绳索预紧力设计值。基于质量和刚度等效,设计了机械臂杆束结构力学等效件,并进行了正弦与随机振动力学试验。试验结果验证了所设计的柔索式杆束结构压紧释放装置的可行性,并可以推广到具有复杂包络的杆束结构压紧释放中。     

航天员出舱牵引构型设计与结构响应性能评估

针对航天员出舱过程所用安全绳锁挂频繁的问题,进行了安全高效的航天员出舱牵引系统构型设计,可作为太空行走的辅助导向装置。基于材料结构弹塑性力学方程与含应变耦合项的热传导方程,推导结构热力响应可计算数学模型,利用Newmark方法以及Crank-Nicolson数值格式分别对热弹性方程和热传导方程进行时间域上的离散,构造金属结构响应无条件稳定隐式有限元格式,搭建了温度场与位移场相互影响热力耦合有限元算法(FEM)性能评估软件系统,以此对牵引系统的导轨进行热力耦合数值计算,得到在太阳辐射外热流载荷作用下具有较强抗变形能力的结论。计算了航天员采用牵引系统出舱时对导轨产生的拉力,并借助ANSYS Workbench对导轨进行静力学求解,验证了该牵引系统具备结构强度可靠性,可为空间站建设舱外作业平台提供重要理论分析依据与设计参考。     

Phasic-to-tonic shift in trunk muscle activity relative to walking during low-impact weight bearing exercise

The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of an exercise device, designed to improve the function of lumbopelvic muscles via low-impact weight-bearing exercise, on electromyographic (EMG) activity of lumbopelvic, including abdominal muscles. Surface EMG activity was collected from lumbar multifidus (LM), erector spinae (ES), internal oblique (IO), external oblique (EO) and rectus abdominis (RA) during overground walking (OW) and exercise device (EX) conditions. During walking, most muscles showed peaks in activity which were not seen during EX. Spinal extensors (LM, ES) were more active in EX. Internal oblique and RA were less active in EX. In EX, LM and ES were active for longer than during OW. Conversely, EO and RA were active for a shorter duration in EX than OW. The exercise device showed a phasic-to-tonic shift in activation of both local and global lumbopelvic muscles and promoted increased activation of spinal extensors in relation to walking. These features could make the exercise device a useful rehabilitative tool for populations with lumbopelvic muscle atrophy and dysfunction, including those recovering from deconditioning due to long-term bed rest and microgravity in astronauts.     

基于准零刚度技术的微重力模拟悬吊装置设计与试验研究

微重力地面模拟试验对验证航天器在轨运行的可靠性有重要意义。通常采用低刚度悬吊装置模拟微重力环境,但存在着承载能力低和自振干扰的问题。为解决这些问题,文章提出了一种考虑弹簧自振的准零刚度悬吊装置。首先,通过合理简化推导了承载弹簧在装置中的自振频率计算式,并分析了准零刚度悬吊装置的工作原理,得出设计参数应满足的条件。然后,根据试验承载需求和位移要求提出了参数设计流程,依此流程设计得到了一种可调节平衡位置与几何参数的准零刚度悬吊装置。最后,对装置进行了静力测试与悬吊-隔振试验,结果表明,该装置不仅具有准零刚度特性和较大承载能力,而且解决了自振干扰的问题,能较好地模拟微重力环境。     

Muscle atrophy associated with microgravity in rat: basic data for countermeasures

Morphological, contractile properties and myosin heavy chain (MHC) composition of rat soleus muscles were studied after 2 weeks of unloading (HS) and after 2 weeks of HS associated with selective deafferentation (HS + DEAF) at the level L4 and L5. The same significant reductions in muscle mass and tetanic tension were found after HS and HS + DEAF. However, the transformation of the slow-twitch soleus muscle towards a faster type characterized by a decrease in twitch time parameters and an increase in fast-twitch type MHC isoforms in HS did not appear in HS + DEAF conditions. Our results also showed that a pattern similar to firing rate of motoneurones innervating slow-twitch muscles inhibited the slow to fast fiber changes observed during HS. Nevertheless, neither the loss of mass or force output in the HS muscles were prevented by electrostimulation. Immobilization in a stretched position during HS maintained the muscle wet weight, mechanical and electrophoretical characteristics close to control values. We concluded that the decrease in mechanical strains imposed on the muscle during unloading was the main factor for the development of atrophy, while the kinetic changes might be predominantly modulated by the nervous command. These basic data suggested that some experimental conditions such as electrostimulation or stretching, could participate in countermeasure programmes.     

Decrease of contractile properties and transversal stiffness of single fibers in human soleus after 7-day “dry” immersion

The simulation model of “dry” immersion was used to evaluate the effects of plantar mechanical stimulation (PMS) and high frequency electromyostimulation (EMS) on the mechanical properties of human soleus fibers under the conditions of gravitational unloading. We examined contractile properties of single fibers by means of tensometry, transversal stiffness of sarcolemma and different areas of the contractile apparatus by means of atomic force microscopy. It was shown that there is a reduction of transversal stiffness in single muscle fibers under hypogravitational conditions. Application of different countermeasures could compensate this effect. Meanwhile pneumostimulation and electro stimulation act in quite different way. Therefore, pneumostimulation seems to be more effective. The data obtained can be considered as the evidence of the fact that such countermeasures as PMS and electromyostimulation influence on muscle fibers in quite different ways and PMS efficiency is likely to be higher. On the basis of our experimental data on transverse stiffness of mechanotransductional nodes and the contractile apparatus, we can assume that support stimulation allows prevention of destructive processes in muscle fibers. Electrostimulation seems to stimulate contractile activity only without suppression of impairment of the fiber mechanical properties.     

一种串并转换器件单粒子效应试验研究

针对型号用新型器件抗辐射能力评估的需要,研制了串并转换器件单粒子效应检测系统,并对卫星型号中准备使用的一款26位串并转换器件进行了单粒子效应评估试验,得到了器件抗单粒子锁定的阈值,并发现该器件在单粒子辐照下会出现连续位输出错误。结合器件版图、结构分析了单粒子效应造成连续位错误的原因,为器件厂家后续设计改进和卫星型号进行系统级抗辐射加固设计提供了依据。     

非线性弹簧形态优化及可调节恒力装置设计

基于组合结构研究一种可调节恒力装置的设计方法,恒力装置由负刚度非线性弹簧和正刚度线性弹簧组合而成。采用B样条曲线描述非线性弹簧的形态,基于GA算法和非线性有限元法实现非线性弹簧的形态优化设计。根据恒力装置的工作原理,设计线性螺旋弹簧,并分析刚度/强度特性。组合结构的力学性能分析表明恒力装置可以实现输出恒力。为了实现自我保护、输出的恒力大小/方向可调,进行了恒力装置的部组件设计。本文的恒力装置设计方法为平面薄膜天线和太阳电池阵的工程研制提供了技术支撑。     

利用脉冲电磁力加载的螺接/铆接接头冲击性能测试装置及力加载方法

螺接/铆接接头在航天器结构中大量应用,其抗冲击性能对整体结构的可靠性至关重要.文章基于RLC放电原理建立脉冲电磁力加载理论模型,研制了利用脉冲电磁力加载的螺接/铆接接头冲击力学性能测试装置,并针对该装置提出了直接加载和撞击加载两种加载方法——前者适用于冲击吸能较高、冲击加载应变率<150 s-1的中应变率冲击测试,后者...     

Effects of unilateral selective hypergravity stimulation on gait

The purpose of this work is to analyse the neural mechanisms of human motor perturbations induced by dynamic changes in gravity. A unilateral selective hypergravity stimulation (USHS) was produced by stretching an elastic band between the right shoulder and foot. The consequences of the extensor muscle tone change due to the positioning (increased muscular loading) and to its removal (decreased muscular loading) by the elastic band were observed on motor gait skill. Gait spatio-temporal parameters (horizontal displacement of both feet) and lower limb functional length variations (efficiency of flexion and extension movements of the lower limbs) were measured. The latter measure was performed using a device specially designed for that purpose. The main results were: (1) during and after USHS, gait perturbations appeared on the left--the body side not directly stimulated, (2) just after the end of USHS, perturbations were present on the right (homolateral) side evidencing a post treatment effect which caused a decrease in functional shortening of the lower limb during extension and an increase of functional shortening of the lower limb during stance (opposite in sense to the modification observed during swing). Such results afford evidence that, in addition to vestibular receptors, the mechanoreceptors of extensor muscles are involved in determining the changes in motor skills observed at the beginning and at the end of space flights.     

铝粉表面分子自组装对铝粉/聚醚胶片力学性能的影响

将自组装单分子膜（SAMs）技术应用于铝粉表面改性。设计并合成出DZ系列两官能团自组装分子，对铝粉表面进行改性处理，制备铝粉／聚醚胶片，测试了其力学性能，实验发现所采用的表面改性技术能有效地改善铝粉／聚醚胶片的力学性能，表面处理时间、温度、改性分子结构、溶液性质（浓度、pH、溶剂类别）等因素都能影响铝粉表面改性效果，从而影响聚醚胶片力学性能。     

SLM成形Inconel 718合金的组织性能调控研究

针对Inconel 718合金零部件传统制造技术中存在的制造极限问题,基于材料合金显微组织与力学性能之间的相关性等内容,开展激光选区熔化(SLM)成形Inconel 718合金性能的研究,建立了适用于SLM成形Inconel718合金的热处理制度,提高了该合金的室温与高温力学性能。考虑到SLM成形Inconel 718合金组织内部晶粒极其细小、内应力积累较大,传统的热处理制度不再适合新技术成形的零部件,根据基体中二次相的析出温度区间,对该合金的传统后热处理制度进行改进。力学性能测试结果证明:项目组提出的均匀化热处理+固溶处理+双时效的热处理制度能有效改善SLM成形Inconel 718合金的显微组织和综合力学性能,并满足锻件的使用要求。     

原子氧、紫外辐照对锦纶材料力学性能影响试验研究

航天器在低地球轨道运行期间,空间环境中的原子氧与紫外辐照均会对非金属材料的力学性能造成影响.文章以锦纶材料为研究对象,探讨锦纶材料2种缝制结构形式在原子氧与紫外辐照协同作用下的力学强度性能变化,试验结果表明:在紫外辐照作用下材料会发生明显的褪色;紫外辐照和原子氧均会降低锦纶材料的断裂强力;原子氧与紫外辐照协同作用对单层...