The equations of motion for a flexible structure during deployment from and retraction into a base that is part of an open-loop multi-body chain are derived. The eigenfunctions of a fixed-free beam are used as the shape functions and their properties are exploited to express various domain integral terms as explicit functions of the instantaneous deployed length. The essential contributions of the present paper are the modeling of flexible body deployment with mass transfer and a recursive solution method for the dynamics. The deployment or retraction of space structures such as the SAFE Extension Mast can be simulated using this model. The model is presented in a format that is suitable for implementation in multibody dynamics codes.

1.
Jankovic
M. S.
,
1984
, “
Comments on Dynamics of a Spacecraft During Extension of Flexible Appendages
,”
Journal of Guidance, Control and Dynamics
, Vol.
7
, No.
1
, p.
128
128
.
2.
Larkin, L. J., and Soosor, K., 1989, “State-Of-The-Art Survey and Assessment of Deployment Technologies,” Vol. 1, Air Force Space Technology Center, Edwards Air Force Base, CA, Report No. AFAL-TR-88-036.
3.
Lips
K. W.
, and
Modi
V. J.
,
1983
, “
Dynamics of a Deploying Orbiting Beam-type Appendage Undergoing Librations
,”
ASME JOURNAL OF VIBRATION, ACOUSTICS, STRESS, AND RELIABILITY IN DESIGN
, Vol.
105
, pp.
33
39
.
4.
Singh
R. P.
,
VanderVoort
R. J.
, and
Likins
P. W.
,
1985
, “
Dynamics of Flexible Bodies in Tree Topology—A Computer-Oriented Approach
,”
Journal of Guidance, Control and Dynamics
, Vol.
8
, No.
5
, pp.
584
590
.
5.
Singh, R. P., Schubele, B., and Sunkel, J., 1989, “Computationally Efficient Algorithm for the Dynamics of Multi-Link Mechanisms,” AIAA Guidance, Navigation and Control Conference, Boston, MA, August 14–16.
6.
Stornelli, S., Franco, R., Dumontel, M., and Venugopal, R., 1991, “Highly Efficient Simulation of Multi Flexible-Body Dynamics Using Symbolic Processing,” Presented at the 1st ESA International Conference on Guidance, Navigation and Control, Noordwijk, The Netherlands.
7.
Tabarrok
B.
,
Leech
C. M.
, and
Kim
Y. I.
,
1974
, “
On the Dynamics of an Axially Moving Beam
,”
Journal of the Franklin Institute
, Vol.
297
, No.
3
, pp.
201
220
.
8.
Tadikonda
S. S. K.
, and
Baruh
H.
,
1992
, “
Dynamics and Control of a Translating Flexible Beam With a Prismatic Joint
,”
ASME Journal of Dynamic Systems, Measurement and Control
, Vol.
114
, No.
3
, pp.
422
427
.
9.
Yuh
J.
, and
Young
T.
,
1991
, “
Dynamic Modeling of an Axially Moving Beam in Rotation: Simulation and Experiment
,”
ASME Journal of Dynamic Systems, Measurement and Control
, Vol.
113
, pp.
34
40
.
This content is only available via PDF.
You do not currently have access to this content.