Deployment shock attenuation of a solar array tape hinge by means of the Martensite detwinning of NiTi Shape Memory Alloy

Abstract

This paper presents a new tape hinge for attenuating the deployment shock of a satellite solar array. This hinge uses the Martensite detwinning of Shape Memory Alloy (SMA). To attenuate the deployment shock, a NiTi SMA strip is assembled between two curved steel strips. The attenuation performance of the hinge is analyzed using a SMA detwinning constitutive equation. A prototype of the hinge is manufactured and its characteristics are measured in a bending test and in a deployment test. Finally, the deployment performance of the prototype hinge is investigated on a satellite model. It is shown that the new SMA damped tape hinge can effectively minimize the deployment shock and dynamic perturbation while also maintaining suitable deployment performance. (C) 2016 AIP Publishing LLC