Thermal Expansion, Contraction, and Deflection of Flexible Solar Paddles

Abstract

Concerning a tension-controlled flexible solar paddle, thermomechanical analyses are made to predict maximum/minimum possible temperatures, resulting thermal expansion/contraction lengths, and thermal bending stress generated. Paddle tension-control-mechanism pull-out strokes are then calculated to discuss possibilities of an overstroke that may stress the paddle. Calculated results substaniate the rationality of presumed causes of paddle damage. Strain measurements were also conducted at component/piece/segment levels to determine the paddle equivalent expansion coefficient. Emphasized is that a reasonable estimate of thermal expansion/contraction should be made under temperature-dependent coefficient values.