Application of shape memory alloy ( SMA ) in radiant - actuated solar panels' deploy mechanism of nano - satellite

• Main Author: Tan, Di Yang
• Other Authors: Liu Yong
• Format: Final Year Project
• Language: English
• Published: 2015
• Subjects: DRNTU::Engineering::Electrical and electronic engineering::Satellite telecommunication
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/10356/64000
• Institution: Nanyang Technological University

This project focuses on development of smart-material-based deployable mechanism for space application. Main objective of this project is to achieve deployment of satellite components, with zero-power consumption from the satellite, by exploiting feasible designs of SMA Actuator that is able to harvest abundant solar energy in space. In this project, complete deployment system is presented, including the actuating mechanism and auxiliary mechanisms which complement the performance of the system. Two modes of actuating mechanisms are designed, namely Tensile Actuating and Slip-through Actuating, based on one-way memory effect of SMA in tensile mode. Both designs are first tested using forced convection heating, to examine its mechanical performances, such as reliability, reaction time, vibration endurance and compactness of the design. The most applicable design is then integrated with Radiation Collector and tested under the Sun-Simulator. Finally, conclusions will be drawn out based on the experimental results and future improvements will be proposed.