Topology Optimization of Compliant Mechanisms as a Design Method to Improve Hardware Performance in Lunar Dust Environment

Budzyń, D. , Zare-Behtash, H. , Cowley, A. and Cammarano, A. (2021) Topology Optimization of Compliant Mechanisms as a Design Method to Improve Hardware Performance in Lunar Dust Environment. 19th European Space Mechanisms and Tribology Symposium, 20-24 Sep 2021.

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Publisher's URL: https://www.esmats.eu/esmatspapers/pastpapers/pdfs/2021/budzyn.pdf

Abstract

The experience from the Apollo missions showed that Lunar regolith particles are exceptionally sharp, electrostatically charged, adhesive, and pose a significant risk to mission hardware by entering gaps between the elements of mechanisms and can cause damage especially where rigid body relative displacements occur. The present work presents an alternative approach for the design of hardware that will operate on the Lunar surface. The authors propose the use of compliant mechanisms to produce monolithic mechanisms that are intrinsically resilient to Lunar dust. To support the design of compliant mechanisms topology-optimisation based design methods are here proposed. Topology optimization focuses on optimizing material distribution for a given design space and boundary conditions with the goal of maximizing the performance of the design. Achieving topologically optimized compliant mechanisms, so far, has proven to be challenging, especially when compared to static structures, and the use of commercial software does not automatically translate in ease of use. In this work, several MATLAB routines that can support topology optimisation of compliant mechanisms are explored. The advantages and disadvantages of each routine are highlighted and their application to a compliant force inverter is presented.

Item Type:Conference or Workshop Item
Additional Information:This project is funded by the European Space Agency through ExPeRT - Exploration Preparation, Research and Technology program.
Keywords:Lunar dust, compliant mechanisms, topology optimisation.
Status:Published
Refereed:Yes
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID:Zare-Behtash, Dr Hossein and Cammarano, Dr Andrea and Budzyn, Dorota
Authors: Budzyń, D., Zare-Behtash, H., Cowley, A., and Cammarano, A.
Subjects:T Technology > TJ Mechanical engineering and machinery
College/School:College of Science and Engineering > School of Engineering > Autonomous Systems and Connectivity
College of Science and Engineering > School of Engineering > Systems Power and Energy
Copyright Holders:Copyright © 2021 ESA
First Published:First published in 19th European Space Mechanisms and Tribology Symposium
Publisher Policy:Reproduced with the permission of the Authors
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