Space-based inflatable technology is of current interest to NASA and DOD, and in particular to the Air Force and Phillips Laboratory. Potentially large gains in lowering launch costs, through reductions in structure mass and volume, are driving this activity. Diverse groups are researching and developing this technology for radio and radar antennae, optical telescopes, and solar power and propulsion applications. Regardless of the use, one common requirement for successful application is the accuracy of the inflated surface shape. The work reported here concerns the shape control of an inflated thin circular disk through use of a nonlinear finite element analysis. First, a review of the important associated Hencky problem is given. Then we discuss a shape modification, achieved through enforced boundary displacements, which resulted in moving the inflated shape towards a desired parabolic profile. Minimization of the figure error is discussed and conclusions are drawn.
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November 1998
Research Papers
Surface Precision of Inflatable Membrane Reflectors Available to Purchase
C. H. Jenkins,
C. H. Jenkins
Compliant Structures Laboratory, Mechanical Engineering Department, SD School of Mines and Technology, Rapid City, SD 57701
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D. K. Marker
D. K. Marker
AF Phillips Laboratory, Albuquerque, NM 87117
Search for other works by this author on:
C. H. Jenkins
Compliant Structures Laboratory, Mechanical Engineering Department, SD School of Mines and Technology, Rapid City, SD 57701
D. K. Marker
AF Phillips Laboratory, Albuquerque, NM 87117
J. Sol. Energy Eng. Nov 1998, 120(4): 298-305 (8 pages)
Published Online: November 1, 1998
Article history
Received:
September 1, 1997
Revised:
April 1, 1998
Online:
February 14, 2008
Citation
Jenkins, C. H., and Marker, D. K. (November 1, 1998). "Surface Precision of Inflatable Membrane Reflectors." ASME. J. Sol. Energy Eng. November 1998; 120(4): 298–305. https://doi.org/10.1115/1.2888134
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