Accommodating Thickness in Origami-Based Deployable Arrays1 Article (Web of Science)

abstract

  • The purpose of this work is to develop approaches to accommodate thickness in origami-based deployable arrays with a high ratio of deployed-to-stowed diameter. The origami flasher model serves as a basis for demonstrating the approach. A thickness-accommodating mathematical model is developed to describe the flasher. Practical modifications are presented for the creation of physical models and two options are proposed: allowing the panels to fold along their diagonals or applying a membrane backing with specified widths at fold-lines. The mathematical model and hardware modifications are employed to create several physical models. The results are general and apply to a range of applications. An example is provided by the application that motivated the work: a deployable solar array for space applications. The model is demonstrated in hardware as a 1/20th scale prototype with a ratio of deployed-to-stowed diameter of 9.2 (or 1.25 m deployed outer diameter to 0.136 m stowed outer diameter).

authors

  • Zirbel, Shannon A.
  • Lang, Robert J.
  • Thomson, Mark W.
  • Sigel, Deborah A.
  • Walkemeyer, Phillip E.
  • Magleby, Spencer P.
  • Howell, Larry L.

publication date

  • 2013

published in

volume

  • 135

issue

  • 11