• Journal of the Korean Society for Aeronautical & Space Sciences
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• v.46 no.7
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• pp.583-591
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• 2018

In this paper, we propose a new deployment test equipment that is characterized for the deployment test of single large solar panel with tape spring hinge. To perform the deployment test on ground, a device that takes gravity compensation into account should be used to create a zero gravity environment similar to that in orbit. We analyzed the advantages and disadvantages of the most commonly used deployment test equipment in the past through simple conceptual design, analysis, and tests to judge whether it is applicable to the deployment of the solar panel to be tested. A dummy frame was proposed to reduce the air drag effect during on-ground test and a self-aligning ball bearing and adjusting screws were applied to the deployment test equipment to solve the alignment problem with the gravity axis. And a horizontal bearing for radial movement applied to compensate for the change of the axis of the tape spring hinge. From these, we solved the problems of the conventional deployment test equipment by developing and verifying the new deployment test equipment characterized for the solar panel to be deployed in this paper.

• Journal of Aerospace System Engineering
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• v.12 no.6
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• pp.58-65
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• 2018

The dynamic characteristics of the deployable composite parabolic reflector with several panels were numerically and experimentally investigated. The deployment mechanism is designed to efficiently fit in a small volume. The parameters guiding the deployment are determined by considering; the number of panels, folding/twisting angles, and the driving forces of actuating devices. The panels are fabricated using carbon fiber reinforced plastics (CFRPs). The zero-gravity simulator is manufactured for the unfolding test. The deployment behaviors of the reflector are finally observed.

• Journal of Aerospace System Engineering
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• v.13 no.5
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• pp.94-101
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• 2019

The dynamic characteristics of the composite reflector panels are numerically and experimentally investigated. A dynamics model of the panel is analytically developed based on a deployment mechanism of the antenna. The deployment is passively activated using elastic energy of a spring with two rotational degrees of freedom. Using the flexible multi-body dynamic analysis ADAMS, dynamic behavior of the panels such as velocities, deformations, as well as reaction forces during the deployment, are investigated in the gravity and zero-gravity cases. The reflector panel is manufactured using carbon fiber reinforced plastics (CFRPs) and its deployment characteristics are experimentally observed using a zero-gravity deployment test. The impact response and vibration problems that occur during deployment of the antenna panel have been identified and reliably deployed using dampers.

• Journal of the Korean Society for Aeronautical & Space Sciences
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• v.47 no.10
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• pp.705-711
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• 2019

Dynamic behaviors of the deployable composite reflector antenna are numerically and experimentally investigated. Equations of the motion are formalized using Kane's equation by considering multibody systems with two degrees of freedom such as folding and twisting angles. To interpret structural deformations of the reflector antenna, the composite reflector is modeled using a beam model with the FSDT(First-order Shear Deformation Theory). To determine design parameters such as a torsional spring stiffness and a damping coefficient depending on deployment duration, an inverted pendulum model is simply applied. Based on the determined parameters, dynamic characteristics of the deployable reflector are investigated. In addition, its results are verified and compared through deployment tests using a gravity compensation device.