Session
Technical Session III: Subsystems & Components I
Abstract
The transformation of doubly curved surfaces, without affecting their geometric integrity, into quasifoldable mechanisms via surface discontinuities is a recently proposed approach to self-deploying ("popup") reflectors. The marriage of surface accuracy and kinematic simplicity this concept represents may be especially attractive for small satellite antenna applications, once certain questions of practicality are answered. This paper is to summarize these questions and to quantitatively examine one of them - stowage efficiency - in the context of parabolic reflectors. First, a structural classification of deployable antenna dishes is put forth and the concerned pop-up concept is introduced. Some of the mechanical and geometric characteristics of the latter are briefly reviewed next, and the family of deployable reflectors it represents is illustrated via breadboard demonstration models. A brief study follows, wherein the stowage efficiency of the most promising proposed configuration is shown to be competitive with existing technology. This comparison is enabled by the stowage ratio, defined herein as a general measure of stowage efficiency independent of reflector structure and size. Finally, conclusions are drawn and functional, manufacturing, as well as further research issues are summarized.
On the Practicality of a Family of Pop-Up Parabolic Reflectors
The transformation of doubly curved surfaces, without affecting their geometric integrity, into quasifoldable mechanisms via surface discontinuities is a recently proposed approach to self-deploying ("popup") reflectors. The marriage of surface accuracy and kinematic simplicity this concept represents may be especially attractive for small satellite antenna applications, once certain questions of practicality are answered. This paper is to summarize these questions and to quantitatively examine one of them - stowage efficiency - in the context of parabolic reflectors. First, a structural classification of deployable antenna dishes is put forth and the concerned pop-up concept is introduced. Some of the mechanical and geometric characteristics of the latter are briefly reviewed next, and the family of deployable reflectors it represents is illustrated via breadboard demonstration models. A brief study follows, wherein the stowage efficiency of the most promising proposed configuration is shown to be competitive with existing technology. This comparison is enabled by the stowage ratio, defined herein as a general measure of stowage efficiency independent of reflector structure and size. Finally, conclusions are drawn and functional, manufacturing, as well as further research issues are summarized.
