• Journal of the Korean Society for Aeronautical & Space Sciences
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• v.47 no.10
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• pp.712-719
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• 2019

This paper explores an implementation of finite element analysis and experiment in the design process of a tape spring hinge used for various CubeSat missions. Tape spring hinges consist of short-length hardened-steel strips with one-sided curvature, and thus the behavior is subject to large deformation with unpredicted non-linearity. Precise dimensions of a commercial tape spring are traced by the use of high-resolution digital camera, and thin-shell FEM analysis is conducted using ABAQUS program. Based on the rotation-moment analysis suggested in previous studies, parametric analysis is conducted by adjusting the contributing factors such as strip thickness and the subtended angle of the cross section. Finally the behaviors are investigated by both analytical and non-linear finite element methods, and the results are compared with the simple measurements. Further studies suggest a possible application in dynamic characteristics of hinges during CubeSat operations.

• Journal of the Korean Society for Aeronautical & Space Sciences
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• v.42 no.6
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• pp.529-534
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• 2014

Pyrotechnic devices are widely used for space appendages. However, a cube satellite requirements do not permit the use of explosive pyrotechnic device. A nichrome burn wire release has typically been used for holding and release of deployable appendages of the cube satellite due to its simplicity and low cost. However, relatively low mechanical constraint force and system complexity for application of multi-deployable systems are disadvantages of the conventional mechanism. To overcome these drawbacks, we developed a hinge driving segmented nut type holding and release mechanism based on the nichrome burn wire release. The functional performance of the mechanism has been verified through release function test, static load test and shock level measurement test.

• Journal of the Korean Society for Aeronautical & Space Sciences
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• v.44 no.3
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• pp.274-280
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• 2016

Hinge driving type holding and release mechanism based on the burn wire release for application of cubesat is main payload of STEP Cube Lab. (Cube Laboratory for Space Technology Experimental Project) to be launched at 2015. It has high constraint force, low shock level as well as surmounting drawbacks of conventional nichrome burn wire release method that has relatively low constraint force and system complexity for application of multi-deployable systems. In this paper, we have proposed a flight model of holding and release mechanism for the verification of the constraint force and deployment status signal acquisition. To validate the effectiveness of the flight model, launch and on-orbit environment verification test have been performed.