Initial shape design and stability analysis of rib for inflatable deployable reflector

This paper proposes a kind of support structure for inflatable deployable reflector. The surface accuracy, which is crucially important to the performance of the reflector, is maintained by support ribs stretched by the tension system. To obtain sufficient surface accuracy, a reverse design algorithm is proposed to design the initial lower-edge shape of the support rib, which is verified by the current experiment. Also, the morphing characteristics of the support rib under different tensions are tested using the Vic-3D whole strain testing system. From the results of the experiments and simulations, some effective control strategies are presented to resist the local buckles of rib. The main approach is to introduce some transverse constraints that are perpendicular to the rib at the local buckling positions. Finally, by comparison between different strategies, an effective control strategy is confirmed to improve the structure accuracy and stability. The results are of greatbenefitto the design and shape control of inflatable antenna reflectors.