Session
Weekend Session 6: Advanced Concepts - Research & Academia III
Location
Utah State University, Logan, UT
Abstract
In space missions, many methods and techniques are used to enable large deployable structures—such as solar arrays, antennas, and radiators—for power, communication, and heat regulation. With origami as inspiration, a new class of self-deployable, self-stiffening, and retractable (SDSR) array has been developed and is reviewed. SDSR arrays are a scalable deployable architecture based on origami flasher patterns. They do not require the aid of external support and actuation structures common in space applications, instead replacing them with strained compliant joints and reeling cables. Aluminum construction has previously been successfully modeled and demonstrated, however, SDSR technology can be greatly improved with more advanced, lighter weight materials. This work presents the redesign of the SDSR array for construction from CFRP composite laminates, including principles developed for the design of high-strain composite flexural joints and their integration into composite panels that can be applied broadly in other sheetlike folding composite structures. The flexural joint used is an array of lamina emergent torsional (LET) joints, and is an innovative solution to attain large deflections needed for hinge-like motion in large foldable arrays. The research that has been done in LET joints assumes an isotropic material, whereas LET joints in anisotropic materials such as CFRPs have yet to be addressed in the literature. Panel flatness is an area of interest so deflections are analysed assuming a rectangular panel and basic panel deflection techniques. The culmination of the design and modeling is the demonstration of two prototype composite arrays, the second array overcoming weaknesses in the initial design.
Principles for Designing Origami-Inspired Composite Space Structures with High-Strain Compliant Laminate Joints
Utah State University, Logan, UT
In space missions, many methods and techniques are used to enable large deployable structures—such as solar arrays, antennas, and radiators—for power, communication, and heat regulation. With origami as inspiration, a new class of self-deployable, self-stiffening, and retractable (SDSR) array has been developed and is reviewed. SDSR arrays are a scalable deployable architecture based on origami flasher patterns. They do not require the aid of external support and actuation structures common in space applications, instead replacing them with strained compliant joints and reeling cables. Aluminum construction has previously been successfully modeled and demonstrated, however, SDSR technology can be greatly improved with more advanced, lighter weight materials. This work presents the redesign of the SDSR array for construction from CFRP composite laminates, including principles developed for the design of high-strain composite flexural joints and their integration into composite panels that can be applied broadly in other sheetlike folding composite structures. The flexural joint used is an array of lamina emergent torsional (LET) joints, and is an innovative solution to attain large deflections needed for hinge-like motion in large foldable arrays. The research that has been done in LET joints assumes an isotropic material, whereas LET joints in anisotropic materials such as CFRPs have yet to be addressed in the literature. Panel flatness is an area of interest so deflections are analysed assuming a rectangular panel and basic panel deflection techniques. The culmination of the design and modeling is the demonstration of two prototype composite arrays, the second array overcoming weaknesses in the initial design.
