Experimental Investigation of Tape Springs Folded in Three Dimensions

Abstract

One of the most significant drivers in satellite design is the minimization of mass to reduce the large costs involved in the launch. With technological advances across many fields, it is now widely known that very low-mass satellites can perform a wide variety of missions. However, there is a need for small, efficient, area deployment devices. One possible structural solution for such devices is tape springs. Previous work on tape spring hinges has focused on two-dimensional folds; however, applications exist that incorporate three-dimensional tape spring folds. The properties of three-dimensional tape spring folds are experimentally investigated using a specially designed test rig. The rig is first used to produce comparative two-dimensional data before being used to analyze more complex three-dimensional folds. = opposite sense peak moment bend angle in the skewed system max 0− = equal sense peak moment bend angle in the skewed system µ = skew angle of tape spring σ yield = material yield stress Nomenclature

Importance of structural damping in the dynamic analysis of compliant deployable structures

“…Compared to experimental investigations in [11] on two dimensional folds with the characteristics of Table 2, the average peak moment and steady-state moment in opposite sense bending are obtained with a difference of 5.34 % and 1.91 % respectively. However, for smaller lengths, the correlation for the peak moment is far less effective due to end effects.…”

“…Indeed, Seffen [7] showed by comparing analytical, experimental and numerical results for a same tape spring that the peak moment can strongly differ for short tape springs, while the steady-state moment is not affected. Table 2: Geometric and material characteristics of the tape spring experimentally analysed in [11].…”

“…Quasi-static analyses of the folded configuration submitted to end loads were also performed in [9] and correctly predicted thanks to a variational technique. Finally, more complex and compact three dimensional foldings can be obtained and were studied, first analytically in [10], then experimentally in [11,12]. Tape springs can also be combined to form tape spring hinges [13].…”

Design theory and dynamic mechanical characterization of the deployable composite tube hinge

“…Walker et al [5,6] performed the pure bending experiments of the single isotropic tape spring for opposite sense and equal sense with different sizes. For the composite tape hinge, Galletly et al studied the cross-sectional shape and equilibrium point for the bistable composite tape hinge by the beam model [7] and the shell model [8].…”

“…Seffen et al [2,3] and Walker et al [4] determined the moment-rotation angle relationships and the maximum moments of isotropic tape spring for opposite-sense and equal-sense bending theoretically. Walker et al [5,6] performed the pure bending experiments of the single isotropic tape spring for opposite sense and equal sense with different sizes. For the composite tape hinge, Galletly et al studied the cross-sectional shape and equilibrium point for the bistable composite tape hinge by the beam model [7] and the shell model [8].…”