Deployment Characteristics of Multi-cellular Inflatable Tubes

Paper number

IAC-06-C2.2.10

Author

Prof. Hiroshi Furuya, Tokyo Institute of Technology, Japan

Coauthor

Ms. Makiko Nakahara, Tokyo Institute of Technology, Japan

Coauthor

Mr. Satoshi Murata, Tokyo Institute of Technology, Japan

Coauthor

Mr. Keiki Takadama, Tokyo Institute of Technology, Japan

Year

2006

Abstract

A concept of multi-cellular inflatable tubes is proposed to realize the sequential and simultaneous deployments, and the deployment characteristics for the inflatable tubes are examined experimentally.
To apply inflatable elements in space deployable structures, a reproductive deployment is requested for reliable deployment, so the unexpected distorted deformation should be avoided.
However, the conventional single-cellular inflatable tubes have a high possibility to induce unexpected deformation due to the local large deformation in the course of inflation, the very low stiffness of membrane, and packaging configuration.
We propose a multi-cellular inflatable tube which consists of membrane cells in the deployment direction with small hole in the connected wall.
The concept models are demonstrated to investigate the deployment characteristics in terms of the geometrical configuration of the inflatable tube and the flow rate for the inflation.
Finally, we discuss the feasibility of the concept of multi-cellular inflatable tubes for applying to the gossamer space structures.

Abstract document

IAC-06-C2.2.10.pdf

Manuscript document

IAC-06-C2.2.10.pdf (🔒 authorized access only).

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