Active adjustment of space-borne cable-net antenna via a two-way shape memory alloy spring

Abstract

In extreme space environments with alternating and uneven temperature variations, the surface accuracy of cable-net antennas deteriorates significantly, thereby inducing a periodic failure or a significant deviation in the electrical performance. This is because of the lack of effective methods for controlling the surface shape during the service of the cable-net antenna. In this study, a method based on "two-way memory spring" is proposed to actively control the surface of a cable-net antenna. Herein, first, an electro-thermo-mechanical model of the shape memory alloy spring is deduced by combining the intrinsic model of the two-way shape memory effect and the resistance property of the shape memory alloy. Subsequently, a principle prototype is developed, and experiments related to active control are conducted to confirm the feasibility and effectiveness of the proposed method.

Configuration Investigation, Structure Design and Deployment Dynamics of Rigid-Reflector Spaceborne Antenna with Deviation-Angle Panel

“…where k * = k cos 2 γ and c * = c cos 2 γ. After conducting the above operations and according to Equation (24), the torsional spring can be considered to be mounted on the output rod, with a new stiffness coefficient k * and damping coefficient c * . The mechanical system in Figure 11a is essentially simplified into a mass-spring-damper system.…”

“…According to the existing studies, the surface accuracy of these antennas usually stays at the millimeter level [ 1 , 11 , 12 , 13 , 14 , 15 , 16 ], corresponding to the L-S operating frequency band. If adopting various delicate structures (such as an umbrella-type structure [ 17 , 18 , 19 , 20 ]) or sophisticated adjustment approaches [ 11 , 12 , 13 , 16 , 21 , 22 , 23 , 24 ], small-aperture CNAs are capable of achieving an accuracy of 0.3–1 mm, with which its maximum operating frequency can reach the Ka band. However, the requirement for antenna operating frequency has been increasing invariably, which has far exceeded the Ka band, and even increased to the terahertz band.…”