Deployable Mast Structure With Tape-Spring Hinges
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing deployable mast structures, used in space-based applications, have limited size reduction due to the length of rigid mast sections, restricting their compactness and storage efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A deployable mast structure with a tubular body and tape-spring hinges, where openings are arranged in groups to form hinge sections with reinforcing members, allowing inward folding of tape-spring hinges for increased compactness and deployment speed, and a control mechanism to manage deployment force, such as an eddy current damper, is used.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If rigid mast sections are joined by tape-spring hinges, then the structure can be stowed by folding back sections, but the total reduction in size is limited by the length of the rigid mast sections
Solution Approach 1:
The mast structure is divided into multiple telescopic stages, each stage comprising nested tubular sections. This segmentation allows progressive collapse of each stage into the previous one, achieving greater volume reduction than simple folding of rigid sections.
Solution Approach 2:
Each telescopic stage consists of nested tubular sections where inner tubes are positioned within outer tubes. When stowed, each stage collapses into the previous stage like nested dolls, maximizing space utilization and achieving compact stowed volume.
2Volume of moving object
If multiple telescopic stages are used, then volume reduction is improved, but the number of components and assembly complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple telescopic stages are combined within a single continuous tubular body structure. The stages are not separate components but integrated sections of the same body, reducing the number of discrete parts while maintaining the telescopic functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The tubular body structure serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides the mast structure, contains the telescopic stages, incorporates tape-spring hinges for deployment, and includes reinforcing members for structural integrity. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional specialized components.
3Ease of operation
If tape-spring hinges are used for automatic deployment, then ease of operation is improved, but control over deployment speed is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The control mechanism provides feedback control of the deployment process. Sensors detect the deployment state and provide feedback to the control system, which adjusts the motorized actuator output to maintain controlled deployment speed throughout the expansion process.
Solution Approach 2:
The purely mechanical tape-spring hinge system is replaced with a motorized actuator system controlled by a microprocessor. This substitution allows electronic control of deployment speed and sequence, replacing uncontrolled elastic energy release with regulated mechanical actuation.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This design achieves a more compact stowed configuration and faster deployment with higher stored elastic energy, enabling a significant reduction in volume and improved structural rigidity, suitable for space-based applications like antennas and telescopes.
Implementation Method 1
The tape-spring hinges store elastic strain energy that causes the structure to automatically deploy once a restraining force is removed
Implementation Method 2
The control mechanism may comprise an eddy current damper connected to an end of the mast structure by at least one fibre, the eddy current damper being configured to generate a damping force that is proportional to the speed of deployment
Data Source
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AI summary
A deployable mast structure (100) is disclosed, comprising a body configured to adopt a tubular shape when the mast structure is in a deployed configuration, and a plurality of openings (102) formed in a wall of the body so as to define a plurality of integral tape-spring hinges(103) in the wall of the body, the plurality of openings being configured so as to permit the body to collapse along its longitudinal axis into a stowed configuration when the tape-spring hinges are buckled. In the stowed configuration, the integral tape-spring hinges are configured to exert a force which urges the structure towards the deployed configuration. Since the mast structure collapses along its longitudinal axis, the structure only occupies a small volume in the stowed configuration. A method of fabricating the deployable mast structure from a layered composite material is also disclosed.