solar array deployment test gravity offloader system · set of test panels to deploy with only 22%...
TRANSCRIPT
Solar Array Deployment Test Gravity Offloader System
Project
Methods
System
Braden Call: [email protected] Calvin: [email protected] Debenham: [email protected]
Christian Marriott: [email protected] Onkes: [email protected]
With thanks to Richard Blomquist, Space Dynamics Lab, and Professor Spencer Wendel
• While gravity offloading systems have been designed in the past, a vacuum-compatible and passive design brings a new and unique challenge.
• Energy loss needed to be minimized while allowing for freedom of movement.
• Friction is the main source of the energy loss. Ceramic bearings in the rolling trolleys were used to minimize friction without lubrications restricted for a vacuum.
• Longitudinal and transversal rollers allow the panels to deploy naturally in the horizontal direction while a spring attachment allows for vertical movement.
• Space Dynamics Lab (SDL) has started to develop larger satellites and larger solar arrays are required to power the spacecrafts. These larger arrays are harder to test
• Larger solar panels need their weight from gravity offloaded to prevent damage to their joints. The joints are not designed to hold their own weight
• Space Dynamics Lab requested our design be able to function in a vacuum to simulate the microgravity environment as closely as possible.
Conclusion• The prototype was able to assist a
set of test panels to deploy with only 22% of the energy required for the deployment lost to the offloader.
• SDL is able to use this offloader to verify that their panels operate correctly and learn the torque margin of their panel deployment.
• Many of the parts used for the prototype are able to be improved with a larger budget. The better parts will decrease the energy removed.
• One transverse rail is attached to each of the panels. The panels start folded together. As the panels deploy, they pull the rails with them until fully extended.