Research and design of the gravity unloading device for circular solar arrays

This study, centered on the deployment process of the circular solar array, investigated the gravity unloading device specific to the array based on its structural characteristics and dynamic properties during deployment. Through a kinematic modeling analysis of the solar array's deployment and considering the impacts of gravity and minute disturbances, a dynamic simulation of the array's deployment was conducted. Given the array's structure and dynamic features during deployment, a top-suspended air bearing permanent magnet constant-force structure was designed, which can achieve smooth and swift tracking of the solar array's three-dimensional deployment motion. A low-disturbance gravity unloading system tailored for the circular solar array was then established, catering both to the vertical deployment and horizontal unfolding of the array. Ground-based microgravity tests for the circular solar array were subsequently conducted. During testing, the system ran smoothly without any stalling or vibrations, effectively achieving gravity unloading for the solar array mechanism. The system met all projected benchmarks, validating both the feasibility of this gravity unloading approach and the structural design's reliability. This research also offers a solution of significant practical value for addressing the gravity unloading challenges associated with future multidimensional space deployment mechanisms.