A large ring deployable mechanism for space satellite antenna

Abstract

With the development of space technology, new demands for satellite communications services, space and earth observations drive the requirement for large aperture space antennas. In order to meet the missions, this paper presents a kind of novel single mobility deployable ring mechanism based on a set of planar six-bar linkages. The ring mechanism has very high deploy/fold ratio, which is suitable for building large scale satellite deployable antenna. The mobile assembly of the ring structure and synchronous movement compatibility conditions are investigated, then the synchronization movement of the six-bar linkage modules can be realized by using close-loop cable and dual slider-crank mechanisms, which ensure the single mobility of the whole ring mechanism. Two types of driving mode for the deployable ring mechanism including cable driven and torsion spring driven are studied, and the high rigidity driving joints are designed. Finally, a ground experimental prototype of a 3.9 meter in diameter is fabricated to show the feasibility of the proposed mechanism, the deployment accuracy are also tested and the results show the good repeatability for the ring deployable mechanism.