Sequentially Controlled Dynamic Deployment of Ultra-Thin Shell Structures

Abstract

This paper presents an approach to achieve the staged deployment of planar structures composed of multiple thin-shell elements. Releasable constraints are used to prescribe intermediate, known configurations along a strain energy-driven deployment path. An analytical model is derived to design the nominal deployment sequence of the structure by identifying kinematically compatible paths. Then, a finite element model is developed to capture the dynamic behavior of the shells during a staged deployment. Practical considerations, such as the deployment envelope and incorporation of the structure in a deployment mechanism are discussed. Finally, the proposed deployment sequence is demonstrated experimentally.