Highly Compressible Origami Bellows for Microgravity Drilling-Debris Containment

Abstract

The design and testing of an origami-based bellows for microgravity drilling is described. The potential benefits of an origami-based solution created an opportunity for application on NASA's Asteroid Redirect Mission (ARM) to protect sensitive parts from debris. Origami-based bellows were designed to fit spatial limitations and meet needed compression ratios. Designs have demonstrated high mass reductions, improved stroke length, greatly decreased stowed volume, improved flexibility, and reduced reaction forces in comparison with traditional metal bellows. A nylon-reinforced polyvinyl fluoride based bellows with an aramid fiber stitched seam is well suited for debris containment in space conditions. Various epoxies maintained an adequate bond with polyvinyl fluoride below expected environmental temperature for bellows mounting. Asymmetric compression of the bellows occurs at extreme low temperatures and is preventable by balancing stiffness within the structure.

Compliant polymer origami bellows in cryogenics

“…The viability of different fabrication techniques could also be explored at cryogenic temperatures. Stitching, epoxy, or a thermal weldment can replace the use of adhesive tape for joining the seam along the origami bellows [15,20].…”

An Origami-Based Medical Support System to Mitigate Flexible Shaft Buckling

“…Many patterns were analyzed as potential candidates, but due to several unique characteristics exhibited by this pattern, it was selected as the base to be modified and combined to achieve the properties unique to the OriGuide. Triangulated cylinder patterns have been used in various applications, including sunshields for space telescopes [52], bellows for martian spacecraft [53], and debris barriers for asteroid drilling [54]. The pattern is characterized by a series of tessellated triangles (Fig.…”

Heat set creases in polyethylene terephthalate (PET) sheets to enable origami-based applications

“…Recent work has investigated the use of a modified triangulated cylinder origami tessellation in many applications [26,[52][53][54][55]. This particular pattern is not rigid-foldable, meaning that strain is induced in the creases and panels during actuation.…”