Simulation And Model Analysis For Space Inflatable Tubes

Space inflatable structures,which has some prominent advantages in space exploration, such as small launched volume and mass, high dependability of deployment, can be used to build large space antenna, solar sail, and other large space structures. So it is very significant to simulate the processes of fold and deployment of space inflatable structures.The ground tests of inflatable structures can hardly reflect real work environment in space because of the effect of gravity and atmospheric pressure. And tiny gravity and vacuum can hardly be satisfied at the same time. Moreover, the cost of space testing is prohibitive expensive. Therefore, experiments have to depend on the computer simulation to predict inflatable process.In this paper, the modeling of folding rolled beams was studied, and two new modeling methods was proposed. Firstly, the process of fold and deployment was divided into several steps. Secondly, the relative geometry results of the last simulation step was picked up as the initial geometry configuration of current step, using the restarting technology provided by FEM programs, then the models of a inflatable structure with an paraboloid shape were established.Being used the before-mentioned method, models of short and long column tubes made of film were established, the deployment simulations of those were done, and the effects of folding to structure performance were studied.The methods of simulating for deployment process were studied. Being used the before-mentioned method, fold models of a column tube was established. By simulating analyses, effects of inflation velocity on the deployment process of different structures were investigated.The model analysis of the deployed beams were studied in both theory way and simulation way. The differences of the beams in different pressures were studied.Investigations showed that the method of modeling for short and long rolled beams is doable; the process of fold maybe lead so large displacement and stress that membrane is damaged at local areas,ration and material wrinkle generates,...