Numerical Analysis of Dynamic Hysteresis in Tape Springs for Space Applications

Abstract

Antennas for small satellites are often simple tape springs, which have great advantages in terms of cost and space and energy consumption. However, they are liable to unwanted vibrations, which can jeopardize a satellites’ mission. Vibrations of thin elastic structures in space lead to energy dissipation, which is able to change the attitude behavior of a satellite in orbit. The present study investigates the dynamical system of a metal tape spring using a finite element model based on Oberst et al. (J Sound Vib 419:558-570, 2018) and time domain simulations. Mesh convergence studies for element and method selection have been conducted. It is found that linear shell elements S4 provide good enough results for the dynamic analysis. The Hilber-Hughes-Taylor implementation and Abaqus/implicit are employed. In a previous study of Oberst and Tuttle (Mech Syst Signal Process, 110:469-484, 2018), hystereses in the system’s response during an excitation amplitude sweep have been experimentally observed, which are repeated here for the numerical model. Similar to the experimental study, hysteresis curves can be generated (Oberst and Tuttle Mech Syst Signal Process, 110:469-484, 2018). Whether the dynamics as well as the static hysteresis curves in opposite and equal sense bending direction obtained from the numerical model are similar to those determined experimentally needs to be studied in the near future.