Suspended Mirror Servo Mechanism for Launch Load Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current active space telescopes face challenges in designing a servo-control mechanism for mirrors that can withstand significant accelerations during satellite launch without increasing the weight of the telescope, which compromises the satellite's agility.
Innovation Solution
A suspension system with elastic abutments is introduced between the mirror and the servo-control mechanism, allowing dynamic displacements and reducing loading on the mechanism, while using existing actuators and minimizing weight.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If linear actuators are developed to withstand strong acceleration loads, then the servo-control mechanism can handle launch accelerations, but the weight of the mechanism increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies beforehand cushioning by introducing a suspension system with elastic elements (springs or elastomers) between the mirror and the servo-control mechanism. These elastic elements are designed to absorb and cushion the high acceleration loads (up to 30g) during satellite launch, protecting the servo-control mechanism from direct exposure to extreme forces. This allows the use of lighter, standard actuators rather than requiring heavily reinforced components.
Solution Approach 2:
The suspension system acts as an intermediary element between the mirror and the servo-control mechanism. It mediates the transmission of forces by decoupling the mirror from direct rigid connection to the actuators, allowing the elastic elements to absorb shock and reduce peak loads transmitted to the servo-control mechanism during launch acceleration.
2Weight of moving object
If the servo-control mechanism weight is reduced to improve satellite agility, then the satellite's agility improves, but the mechanism cannot withstand significant acceleration loads
Solution Approach 1:
The elastic suspension elements provide beforehand cushioning that protects the lightweight servo-control mechanism from high acceleration loads during launch. The springs or elastomers are pre-designed with appropriate stiffness to absorb shock forces, enabling the use of lighter actuators that would otherwise be insufficient for withstanding 30g acceleration loads directly.
3Stability of the object's composition
If a rigid connection is used between the mirror and servo-control mechanism, then the mirror is securely fixed, but the mechanism is subjected to full acceleration loadings
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a static rigid connection to a dynamic suspension system. The elastic elements allow controlled dynamic movement and displacement between the mirror and servo-control mechanism during acceleration events. This dynamic connection maintains mirror stability for optical purposes while simultaneously absorbing mechanical shock loads, reducing peak forces transmitted to the actuators by a factor of 30.
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 suspension system reduces loads on the servo-control mechanism by a factor of 30 and decreases the mirror's weight, enhancing the satellite's agility and utilizing available actuators effectively.
Implementation Method 1
an interface in the form of a suspension system of predetermined stiffness which allows dynamic displacements of the mirror relative to the servo-control mechanism
Implementation Method 2
means for limiting these dynamic displacements in the form of elastic abutments and means of cooperation with these elastic abutments, independent of the alignment and the direction of said displacements
Data Source
AI summary
An active space telescope intended to be mounted on a satellite and comprising at least one mirror, a mechanism for servo-controlling the mirror according to at least three degrees of freedom which comprises actuators and a support fixed to the actuators, an interface for fixing the mirror to the servo-control mechanism. The interface is a suspension system of predetermined stiffness which allows dynamic displacements of the mirror relative to the servo-control mechanism, and the telescope comprises means for limiting these dynamic displacements in the form of elastic abutments and means of cooperation with these elastic abutments.