Design of a Morphing Skin Using Flexible Fiber Composites for Space-Reconfigurable Reflectors

Abstract

A number of aerospace structural applications with intended shape variation require different kinds of morphing skins for fulfillment of diverse requirements. An example of such a morphing skin application is a space-reconfigurable reflector antenna of a telecommunication satellite. Reconfigurable reflectors can replace the typical configuration of several shaped reflectors and satellites with a single reflector and, thereby, enhance coverage performance to several needed areas of the Earth during a single lifetime in orbit. Thus, their application promises huge cost savings. Design of the reflector morphing skin, being a focus of the paper, is a challenging task because besides the ability to morph they have to satisfy mechanical and radio frequency stringent requirements. Material selection, tailoring of the material properties based on numerical and experimental studies, improving radio frequency characteristics and deriving the potential concept of the mechanically reconfigurable reflector are addressed in the paper. Reshaping performance is discussed based on comparison of target and achieved shapes. Final achieved shapes are acquired with an established optimization procedure coupling RF and structural behaviors. Nomenclature  ABD = Stiffness matrix of a laminate, A in plane, D bending and B coupling parts  = Vector of strains  = Vector of curvatures = Tensile modulus G = Shear modulus = Poisson ratio = Laminate thickness = Ratio of banding stiffness to shear stiffness

Shape control of reconfigurable antenna reflector: Concepts and strategies

“…This not only promoted the existence of low-levels of strain all-over the reflector but, also directly prevented the occurrence of micro-buckling of the carbon-fibres on the CFRS which has been identified as the dominant mode of failure of CFRS under actuation, Fig. 2 [13].…”

The Selection and Optimization of the Reconfigurable Shaped Reflector Structure Material

“…The work on reconfigurable antennas was performed by many researchers. Leri et al [4] applied a flexible composite material to form the reflecting surface structure and performed reconfigurable experiments. The structure has higher reconstruction shaping accuracy as well as generates a local buckling due to the stress concentration; Song S Y et al [5] reconstructed the planar reflector structure of carbon fiber honeycomb sandwich structure with displacement of several millimeters; Lanlan et al [6] studied the active surface control of high-precision solid surface reflector under piezoelectric actuators , which renders high surface control accuracy, yet structural deformation only on the order of microns.…”

Actuator Design for Space Smart Reflector to Reduce Thermal Distortion

“…In this prototype, the smart actuators that deform the shape of the secondary reflector consist of a piezoelectric actuator and a displacement magnification mechanism, as shown in Figs. [3][4][5]. As actuators, mechanisms which have frictional parts are often used.…”