Experimental and Analytical Justification of the Zigzag Springs with Weakened Zones Application in Vibration Protection Systems of the Earth Remote Probing Spacecraft

Aeronautical and Space-Rocket Engineering


Аuthors

Ermakov V. Y.*, Tufan A. **, Levashkin-Leonov S. V.***

Moscow Aviation Institute (National Research University), 4, Volokolamskoe shosse, Moscow, А-80, GSP-3, 125993, Russia

*e-mail: v_ermakov2003@mail.ru
**e-mail: anttufan@gmail.com
***e-mail: levashkin.leo.ser@gmail.com

Abstract

Under conditions of modern rocket and space technology, the quality of telemetric information obtained from high‑precision measuring instruments and equipment, as well as its subsequent processing for high‑quality images generating, are the key indicators of the Earth remote probing spacecraft operational effectiveness. The optimal functioning of these instruments and equipment herewith is being determined by the three interrelated factors, namely the spatial positioning accuracy, the sensitive elements position stability, and faultless performance while in service.
Vibration disturbances, which are the main factors causing image quality degradation, are being considered in three frequency ranges: low‑frequency range (up to 5,0 s–1), caused by the long-length structures with reduced rigidity (antenna systems, magnetometer booms, solar array panels, and other elements); medium‑frequency range (from 5,0 to 25,0 s–1), and high‑frequency range (from 25,0 to 100,0 s–1). The source of disturbances in both medium- and high-frequency ranges is the devices incorporating moving masses, including orientation drives for solar array panels and antenna systems; fans in thermal control systems; actuators in attitude and stabilization control systems, such as motors-reaction wheels, etc.
Analysis of the vibration sources and methods for vibration activity reduction in the units with moving masses demonstrates the objective need for complex technological computations and in-depth analytical studies. Elaboration of such devices with optimal vibration loading indicators supposes meticulous precision abidance of high-precision instruments and equipment for the remote Earth probing, which necessarily entails extra economic expenditures, exceeding in many cases the cost of the devices themselves. The prospective trend of the research thereupon is concentrated on elaboration of more universal and rechnologically realizable method for the vibration activity reduction by the vibration protecting systems with innovative structural solutions installing under the said devices.
Among vibration protection systems employed in space technology, a hybrid design incorporating a vibration damper with magnetorheological fluid and elastic elements in the form of zigzag springs, each composed of a set of isotropic elastic plates of rectangular geometry, featuring specially designed weakened zones in the form of circular holes may be singled out.
It was found that the number of springs and a number of orifices on the plates affect significantly maximum equivalent stresses and the difference between the natural  oscillations first modes along the three mutually perpendicular axes while mathematical modeling of the zigzag springs. Thus, rational selection of the number of springs and holes on the plates is the primary factor for achieving effective operation of the hybrid vibration protection system, ensuring the necessary balance between the strength, rigidity, and structural durability.
Experimental studies of the hybrid vibration protection system incorporating a device with moving masses were conducted. Analysis of the obtained results demonstrated that bringing the system natural frequencies closer together increases the vibration damper tuning accuracy, enabling an optimal level of vibration loading for high-precision measuring instruments and equipment aboard the Earth remote probing spacecraft. Approximately 8 times reduction of vibration disturbances, from the generalized forces and moments acting on the mounting place in particular, was registered while the device with moving masses operation. The damping effect of an analogous system, namely the “Stewart” vibration protection scheme, widely employed in Chinese remote Earth probing spacecraft was examined for the objective efficiency assessment.

Keywords:

hybrid vibration protection system, zigzag spring with weakened zones, elastic isotropic plate of rectangular geometry, unit with moving masses, spacecraft spatial positioning accuracy

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