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Simulation and Experimental Research on Shape Adjustment of Membrane Reflector Antenna (MRA) Combined with Electrostatic Forces and Boundary Cable Forces

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Abstract

The membrane reflector antenna (MRA) possesses significant advantages, such as being light in weight and having a large storage ratio. As a result, it is considered one of the critical forms of space-borne antennas. However, the MRA faces a challenge in that it is easily impacted by thermal loads in space, and there is a lack of effective shape adjustment means. To address this issue, a bidirectional adjustment method has been proposed utilizing electrostatic forces and boundary cable forces. Firstly, the mechanical analysis model of the MRA, including the cable-membrane-truss structure, is constructed based on the energy variation principle. Then the calculation formula of electrostatic forces has been deduced considering the change in the distance between the membrane reflector surface and the membrane control surface. The update process of electrostatic forces has also been presented. Finally, an optimization model of the shape adjustment of the MRA has been established, with electrode voltages and boundary cable forces as design variables and the surface accuracy of the membrane reflector as the optimization goal. Simulation examples have been conducted under three types of temperature loads, and a 10:1 scaled experimental prototype has been used to verify the effectiveness of the shape adjustment method.

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Acknowledgements

The authors would like to express gratitude to the staff of the Research Institute on Mechatronics, **dian University, China, for their assistance in the experiments in this paper.

Funding

This work was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (No: 52005277).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Qingdao University of Science and Technology, Qingdao, 266061, Shandong, China

    Wang Zhong, Yongzhen Gu & Qinggang Zhang

  2. Key Laboratory of Electronic Equipment Structure Design of Ministry of Education, **dian University, **’an, 710071, Shaanxi, China

    Wang Zhong & Shunji Zhang

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  1. Wang Zhong
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  2. Yongzhen Gu
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  4. Qinggang Zhang
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Correspondence to Yongzhen Gu.

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The results presented in this study can be replicated by implementing the formulas and data structures presented in this study. The code and data for producing the presented results will be made available by request.

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Zhong, W., Gu, Y., Zhang, S. et al. Simulation and Experimental Research on Shape Adjustment of Membrane Reflector Antenna (MRA) Combined with Electrostatic Forces and Boundary Cable Forces. Int. J. Aeronaut. Space Sci. 25, 435–448 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s42405-023-00659-4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s42405-023-00659-4

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