Neutrally stable tape spring actuation using shape memory alloys
N. Groeneweg (TU Delft - Aerospace Engineering)
Ines Uriol Balbin – Mentor (TU Delft - Group Uriol Balbin)
O.K. Bergsma – Graduation committee member (TU Delft - Group Bergsma)
Jurgen Vanhamel – Graduation committee member (TU Delft - Space Systems Egineering)
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Abstract
On the Delfi family of satellites, antenna deployment currently takes place using a burn wire system. This requires the antenna to be of the same length as the satellite body. To decouple this length, a new mechanism is needed. Neutrally stable tape springs actuated by shape memory alloys (SMAs) were proposed and studied, a concept previously proposed by Schultz et al in 2008. Thermal analysis, manufacturing tests, and lab testing of SMA actuated tape springs were performed. It was found that the concept can successfully deploy. Satellite integration and more fine-tuning of the mechanism is necessary for an in-flight application.