Abstract

An origami-inspired deployable array, despite being commonly made from rigid materials, must be able to fold into its stowed configuration. This necessitates the employment of discontinuities between the panels of the array and the use of specialized joints to connect them. Compliant joints, with all their typical advantages, are useful in this application. Membrane hinges and lamina-emergent torsional (LET) arrays are two classes of compliant joints, or surrogate folds, which each feature unique benefits and drawbacks. Membrane hinges in principle are simple and flexible, providing a wide range of motion while experiencing little stress. However, perhaps their most robust variation, the embedded membrane hinge, can be difficult to implement. LET arrays also are capable of a large range of motion without being over-stressed, but often take up significant space on the surface of the deployable array. They also aren't resistant to certain types of parasitic motion. This work explores methods of improving on these two types of surrogate folds. Two methods of producing dual-matrix fiber composite membrane hinges are proposed: selective infusion by over-consolidation of the reinforcement fibers, and selective infusion by targeted cure of UV-sensitive matrix resin. The first is unsuccessfully tested, while the second is examined conceptually. A new, compact LET array, or C-LET, is presented. The C-LET features torsion segments with a large height-to-thickness ratio, reducing their footprint and increasing their stiffness and resistance to out-of-plane shear. Additionally, the gaps between series-adjacent torsion segments are effectively eliminated, further reducing their footprint and eliminating parasitic motion due to compression. A method of fabricating C-LET arrays from fiber composites is given, and deflection and stress models are developed for 1p and 2po C-LET arrays. These improvements will allow a greater degree of flexibility in the design of future origami-inspired deployable arrays.

Degree

College and Department

Ira A. Fulton College of Engineering; Mechanical Engineering

Rights

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