Dynamic analysis and experiment of deployable truss structure for reflector antenna

Abstract

The modular space deployable truss structure constructed by the basic ribs for large reflector antenna is proposed, which can satisfy the antenna requirement of large aperture, low weight, high stiffness. The kinematics of the structure are calculated based on the deployment process analysis of basic rib. The dynamic model of the deployable truss structure is established by finite element method, and the dynamic characteristics of the structure are investigated based on the natural frequencies and mode shapes calculation. Effect of structural parameters on the natural frequencies of the structure is compared and the effective measure to increase the natural frequency is proposed. The free vibration characteristics of deployable truss structure prototype which includes seven modules are tested, the natural frequencies and mode shapes obtained from dynamic experiment are compared with the results calculated by dynamic model of the structure, the results match well each other which verifies the correctness of dynamic model established.