Design, Simulation and Failure Influence of Tape Spring Hinges in a Large Deployable Antenna

Abstract

The design, simulation and failure influence of tape spring hinges in a large deployable antenna is studied. By sensitivity analysis between modal frequencies of the large deployable antenna and stiffness coefficients of the tape spring hinge, it is found that compression stiffness along longitudinal axis and bending stiffness about transverse axis are the key points of tape spring design. Stiffness coefficients, buckling loads and bending moments of the tape spring hinge are obtained by mechanical simulation. By in orbit disturbance analysis, disturbance loads applied on the tape spring hinge result from satellite attitude control and scanning mechanism operation are presented. Finally, failure influences of the tape spring hinges on both antenna modal frequencies and pointing accuracy are studied.