Paper
30 March 2006 Surface control of cold hibernated elastic memory self-deployable structure
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Abstract
A new class of simple, reliable, lightweight, low packaging volume and cost, self-deployable structures has been developed for use in space and commercial applications. This technology called "cold hibernated elastic memory" (CHEM) utilizes shape memory polymers (SMP) in open cellular (foam) structure or sandwich structures made of shape memory polymer foam cores and polymeric composite skins. Some of many potential CHEM space applications require a high precision deployment and surface accuracy during operation. However, a CHEM structure could be slightly distorted by the thermo-mechanical processing as well as by thermal space environment. Therefore, the sensor system is desirable to monitor and correct the potential surface imperfection. During these studies, the surface control of CHEM smart structures was demonstrated using a Macro-Fiber Composite (MFC) actuator developed by the NASA LaRC and US Army ARL. The test results indicate that the MFC actuator performed well before and after processing cycles. It reduced some residue compressive strain that in turn corrected very small shape distortion after each processing cycle. The integrated precision strain gages were detecting only a small flat shape imperfection indicating a good recoverability of original shape of the CHEM test structure.
© (2006) COPYRIGHT Society of Photo-Optical Instrumentation Engineers (SPIE). Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Witold M. Sokolowski and Reza Ghaffarian "Surface control of cold hibernated elastic memory self-deployable structure", Proc. SPIE 6167, Smart Structures and Materials 2006: Smart Sensor Monitoring Systems and Applications, 61670Y (30 March 2006); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.657485
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Cited by 7 scholarly publications.
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KEYWORDS
Actuators

Foam

Microsoft Foundation Class Library

Adhesives

Visualization

Shape memory polymers

Distortion

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