scholarly journals A Study on Dynamic Characteristics of Satellite Antenna System considering 3D Revolute Clearance Joint

2020 ◽  
Vol 2020 ◽  
pp. 1-15
Author(s):  
Zhengfeng Bai ◽  
Jijun Zhao

Clearances in the joints of real mechanisms are unavoidable due to assemblage, manufacturing errors, and wear. The dual-axis driving and positioning mechanism is one kind of space actuating mechanism for satellite antenna to implement precise guidance and positioning. However, in dynamics analysis and control of the satellite antenna system, it is usually assumed that the revolute joint in the satellite antenna system is perfect without clearances or imperfect with planar radial clearance. However, the axial clearance in an imperfect revolute joint is always ignored. In this work, the revolute joint is considered as a 3D spatial clearance joint with both the radial and axial clearances. A methodology for modeling the 3D revolute joint with clearances and its application in satellite antenna system is presented. The dynamics modeling and analysis of the satellite antenna system are investigated considering the 3D revolute clearance joint. Firstly, the mathematical model of the 3D revolute clearance joint is established, and the definitions of the radial and axial clearance are presented. Then, the potential contact modes, contact conditions, and contact detection of the 3D revolute clearance joint are analyzed. Further, the normal and tangential contact force models are established to describe the contact phenomenon and determine the contact forces in the 3D revolute clearance joint. Finally, a satellite antenna system considering the 3D revolute clearance joint with spatial motion is presented as the application example. Different case studies are presented to discuss the effects of the 3D revolute clearance joint. The results indicate that the 3D revolute clearance joint will lead to more severe effects on the dynamic characteristics of the satellite antenna system. Therefore, the effects of axial clearance on the satellite antenna system cannot be ignored in dynamics analysis and design of the satellite antenna system.

2020 ◽  
pp. 107754632095051
Author(s):  
Zheng Feng Bai ◽  
Xin Jiang ◽  
Ji Yu Li ◽  
Ji Jun Zhao ◽  
Yang Zhao

In the dynamic modeling and simulation of mechanical system with revolute clearance joint, it is usually assumed that the revolute joint is planar joint with radial clearance, but the axial clearance is ignored. In this article, the dynamic responses of a mechanical system considering both radial and axial clearances in 3D revolute clearance joint are investigated using a computational methodology. First, the mathematic model of 3D revolute clearance joint is established considering the radial and axial clearances. The definitions of the radial and axial clearances, the potential contact modes, contact conditions, and contact detection for 3D revolute clearance joint are presented. Furthermore, the normal and tangential contact force models are established to describe the contact phenomenon and determine the contact forces in revolute clearance joints. Finally, two demonstrative application examples are presented to illustrate the dynamic characteristics of mechanical systems considering both radial and axial clearances in revolute clearance joints. A slider-crank mechanism with planar motion and a double pendulum with spatial motion are investigated. Different cases are presented to analyze the dynamic characteristics of a mechanical system considering radial and axial clearances in 3D revolute clearance joints.


2014 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 59-74
Author(s):  
Zheng Feng Bai ◽  
Yang Zhao ◽  
Jun Chen

Purpose – The existence of clearance in joints of positioning mechanism is inevitable and the movements of the real mechanism are deflected from the ideal mechanism due to the clearances. The purpose of this paper is to investigate the effects of clearance on the dynamic characteristics of dual-axis positioning mechanism of a satellite antenna. Design/methodology/approach – The dynamics analysis of dual-axis positioning mechanism with clearance are investigated using a computational approach based on virtual prototyping technology. The contact model in joint clearance is established by using a hybrid nonlinear continuous contact force model and the friction effect is considered by using a modified Coulomb friction model. Then the numerical simulation of dual-axis positioning mechanism with joint clearance is carried out and four case studies are implemented for different clearance sizes. Findings – Clearance leads to degradation of the dynamic performance of the system. The existence of clearance causes impact dynamic loads, and influences the motion accuracy and stability of the dual-axis positioning mechanism. Larger clearance induces higher frequency shakes and larger shake amplitudes, which will deteriorate positioning accuracy. Practical implications – Providing an effective and practical method to analyze dynamic characteristics of dual-axis positioning mechanism of satellite antenna with joint clearance and describing the dynamic characteristics of the dual-axis positioning system more realistically, which improves the engineering application. Originality/value – The paper is the basis of mechanism design, precision analysis and robust control system design of dual-axis positioning mechanism of satellite antenna.


Author(s):  
P. Flores ◽  
J. Ambro´sio ◽  
J. C. P. Claro ◽  
H. M. Lankarani

This work deals with a methodology to assess the influence of the spherical clearance joints in spatial multibody systems. The methodology is based on the Cartesian coordinates, being the dynamics of the joint elements modeled as impacting bodies and controlled by contact forces. The impacts and contacts are described by a continuous contact force model that accounts for geometric and mechanical characteristics of the contacting surfaces. The contact force is evaluated as function of the elastic pseudo-penetration between the impacting bodies, coupled with a nonlinear viscous-elastic factor representing the energy dissipation during the impact process. A spatial four bar mechanism is used as an illustrative example and some numerical results are presented, being the efficiency of the developed methodology discussed in the process of their presentation. The results obtained show that the inclusion of clearance joints in the modelization of spatial multibody systems significantly influences the prediction of components’ position and drastically increases the peaks in acceleration and reaction moments at the joints. Moreover, the system’s response clearly tends to be nonperiodic when a clearance joint is included in the simulation.


Author(s):  
Enrico Reiche ◽  
Michael Schneider

Purpose This paper aims to introduce design challenges of modern telecommunication satellite antennas. The antenna farms accommodated on a satellite are systems of high complexity. From the radio frequency (RF) point of view, the most important design issues, e.g. high power applications in space (vacuum) or typical antenna scenarios (single/multi beam antennas), and their solution are considered. Design/methodology/approach The paper presents the application of electro-magnetic (EM) field simulation in the design and optimisation process. The design of a telecommunications satellite antenna splits into several areas, for which different types of EM field solvers are used. Findings The use of EM field solvers enables an accurate and efficient design approach of modern geostationary telecommunications satellite antennas. Due to the use of EM field solvers, an excellent agreement between predictions and measurement results on feed as well as antenna system level is achieved. Originality/value This paper gives an overview of state-of-the-art telecommunications satellite antenna architectures and their efficient RF design due to the use of EM field solvers. Typical high power effects and other design issues are explained. RF engineers are encouraged to work on this exciting topic to further improve the design process and to develop new satellite antenna and feed products.


2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 1-18
Author(s):  
I. Latachi ◽  
T. Rachidi ◽  
M. Karim

Antenna systems play a critical role in establishing wireless communication links and sustaining remote sensing requirements for Cubesat applications. In addition to the usual antenna design requirements, Cubesat-based spacecrafts impose additional stringent constraints related to the on-board available space, power consumption and development costs. To develop optimal antenna prototypes while considering all these constraints and decrease trial and error related costs, computational electromagnetics (CEM) simulation tools are used. The accuracy of simulation results depends to a great extent on the choice of the appropriate CEM tool for the particular antenna problem to be analyzed; ergo, identifying and answering key questions about design objectives and requirements is necessary for informed decision-making throughout the selection and design processes. However, this could be quite challenging because of existing gaps both in the practitioners’ knowledge about different CEM tools capabilities, limitations, and design know-how. This is especially true for non-specialists such as students and academics involved in student driven Cubesat projects. Therefore, the rationale of this manuscript is to bridge those gaps and clarify some common misconception commonly encountered during the selection and design processes. In that regard, first, an overview of existing antenna configurations commonly used in Cubesat communications is provided. Next, antenna design general workflow is presented. Then, capabilities and limitations of different CEM solving methods are presented. After that, CEM software selection process trade-offs and possible sources of errors are discussed from a practical viewpoint. Finally, a case study of Masat-1 antenna system design is presented as practical example.


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