Band-Drive Suspension Mechanism Design for Ground-Based Testing of Flexible Space Structures

Abstract

A suspension system based on a band mechanism is investigated to provide the free-free conditions for ground-based validation testing of flexible space structures. The band mechanism consists of a noncircular disk with a convex profile, preloaded by torsional springs at its center of rotation so that static equilibrium of the test structure is maintained at any vertical location; gravitational force will be directly counteracted during dynamic testing of the space structure. This noncircular disk within the suspension system can be configured to remain unchanged for test articles with different weights as long as the torsional spring is replaced to maintain the originally designed frequency parameter of W/ks Simulations of test articles which are modelled as lumped-parameter as well as continuous parameter systems are also presented.