Tension Character Analysis And Optimization Design Of Supporting Structure Of Antenna Reflector

With the development of space detection, large deployable antennas with highprecision become the research focus. Due to the limit of spacecraft, weight andfolded volume have to be considered in the process of design. As the key componentof large deployable antenna, supporting structure of antenna reflector is the mainpart to maintain the precision of reflector. Also it can affect weight and foldedvolume directly. Wherefore, it’s a great significant thing to analyze supportingstructure for the large deployable antenna.This paper discusses a deployable antenna with radial twining rib and studiessupporting structure of the antenna reflector. Tension system is analyzed for a singlesupporting structure (supporting rib) and the character of force transferring in thestructure with different loads is obtained. An analytical method in view of reversedesign is proposed in order to confirm the initial shape of supporting rib. Based on it,the initial shape of the low edge line of rib satisfying the requirement of accuracy isattained. Also its mechanical characteristic is studied. The modal and bucklingfeature of supporting rib can be obtained.This paper discusses the influence of design parameters to precision of the lowedge line of rib and the deformation of rib tip. Then, the analysis of single andmultiple parameter sensitivity are made and the higher sensitive parameters areestablished. Finally, this paper makes multi-objective optimization design whichutilizes higher sensitive design parameters as the optimized variables and mass andprecision of supporting rib as objective functions by integrating ISIGHT intoANSYS, the optimal design parameters are established.The molding process of supporting rib is considered in the paper and thesupporting rib model is manufactured. By designed tension control test device, thetension character of supporting rib is obtained by experiment. Using non-contactlaser measuring system T-can tracker, the variations of low edge line of rib underdifferent loads are measured. Using non-contact full strain measurement systemVIC-3D, the changes of displacement field of rib under different loads are measured.The results of test well agree with the result of simulation, which verify therationality of design and analysis.