Retractable Mechanism of Foldable Bar Structures for Satellite Dish

Retractable, foldable and deployable structures can vary their structural shape
automatically from a compact, packaged configuration to an expanded, operational
configuration. The first properly engineered deployable structures were used as
stabilization booms on early spacecraft. Later on, more multifaceted structures were
devised for solar arrays, communication reflectors and telescopes. In other field there
have been a variety of developments including retractable roofs for stadimns, foldable
components for cars, portable structures for temporary shelters and exhibition display. In
this project, three main themes will be discussed: concepts, working principles and
mechanics of deployable structures for a satellite dish and satellite dish reflector. The
design structures of a deployable satellite dish will involve the structural analysis in both
two dimensional and three dimensional analyses. Such analyses would include stressstrain
analysis, joints analysis, and deflection analysis, by means of manual calculations
and using engineering software. The deployable and retractable satellite structure
designs will be developed for the usage of space oriented satellites and also earth bound
satellites, whenever there is a need in the deployable design structure. The critical aspect
in this development is to develop healthy structural concepts which provide for the
capability to change configuration, in other word, structure which able to produce
different working geometries and also able to move from one configuration to another.