Segmented Shield Pillow for Flexible Thin-Walled Structures
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Solution Overview
Problem
Spacecraft and satellites face challenges in protecting thin-walled structures from high-velocity particles such as micrometeoroids and orbital debris, as existing solutions are weight-sensitive and complex to deploy, making it difficult to develop effective impact-resistant structures that can withstand collisions without adding excessive weight.
Innovation Solution
The use of lightweight, fiber-containing segmented shields composed of multiple layers of specific materials, including aramid fibers, aluminum oxide fibers, and silica fiber cloth, configured to surround a core with open cell foam, providing enhanced protection against through-and-through penetration by high-velocity particles while maintaining a low weight and flexibility for deployment in space environments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Weight of moving object
If thin-walled structures are used to reduce weight, then weight sensitivity is improved, but susceptibility to particle impact damage increases
Solution Approach 1:
The shield is divided into multiple discrete segments that can be individually deployed and positioned along the structure. Each segment functions as an independent protective element, allowing the system to provide comprehensive coverage while maintaining flexibility in deployment and reducing overall complexity of the protective system.
Solution Approach 2:
The shield segments are designed to nest within each other or within the structure during stowed configuration, similar to nested dolls. This allows the protective elements to be compact during launch and deployment, then expand to provide full protective coverage when needed, effectively integrating protection without adding permanent bulk.
2Reliability
If complex deployment protocols are implemented to achieve impact resistance, then protection capability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The shield segments are designed with dynamic deployment capabilities, allowing them to transition from a stowed to a deployed state through controlled mechanical movement. The segments can be positioned and repositioned along the structure as needed, providing adaptive protection that responds to mission requirements without requiring complex fixed installations.
Solution Approach 2:
The shield segments utilize flexible material constructions that can conform to the underlying structure and deploy in a controlled manner. The flexibility of the shield materials allows for simpler deployment mechanisms compared to rigid alternatives, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining protective effectiveness.
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
The segmented shields effectively inhibit penetration by high-velocity particles, offering robust protection without excessive weight, allowing for deployment in space missions where rigid shielding is impractical, and can be folded or segmented for storage and expansion.
Implementation Method 1
a first material component, with the first material component including a first fiber material, and with the first fiber material having a tensile strength of at least about 3620 MPa and a relative density of about 1.44
Implementation Method 2
the second material component including a second fiber material that is different from the first fiber material, said second fiber material comprising a continuous filament ceramic material
Data Source
AI summary
Segmented shields are disclosed comprising material combinations and rolled configurations to impede and mitigate through-and-through penetration damage of a structure incorporating the segmented shields from the damage resulting from the impact of high-velocity micro-meteoroids and orbital debris particulate.