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    Yasir2015 PDF

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    RAhul Ťs
    The document describes the design of an air bearing table developed to test attitude control systems for small satellites. Key points: - The air bearing table allows free rotation of a test platform on a cushion of air, simulating weightlessness. This allows testing of satellite sensors, actuators, and control algorithms on the ground. - The design includes a 5-inch diameter spherical air bearing, an aluminum test platform, support structure, and control panel. A modular design allows integration of different sized bearings to increase payload capacity. - Ensuring the center of gravity of the test articles matches the center of rotation is important. The platform is balanced in all axes through counterweights and adjustable trim masses.

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    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd

    Yasir2015 PDF

    Uploaded by

    RAhul Ťs
    71 views4 pages
    The document describes the design of an air bearing table developed to test attitude control systems for small satellites. Key points: - The air bearing table allows free rotation of a test platform on a cushion of air, simulating weightlessness. This allows testing of satellite sensors, actuators, and control algorithms on the ground. - The design includes a 5-inch diameter spherical air bearing, an aluminum test platform, support structure, and control panel. A modular design allows integration of different sized bearings to increase payload capacity. - Ensuring the center of gravity of the test articles matches the center of rotation is important. The platform is balanced in all axes through counterweights and adjustable trim masses.

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    The document describes the design of an air bearing table developed to test attitude control systems for small satellites. Key points: - The air bearing table allows free rotation of a test platform on a cushion of air, simulating weightlessness. This allows testing of satellite sensors, actuators, and control algorithms on the ground. - The design includes a 5-inch diameter spherical air bearing, an aluminum test platform, support structure, and control panel. A modular design allows integration of different sized bearings to increase payload capacity. - Ensuring the center of gravity of the test articles matches the center of rotation is important. The platform is balanced in all axes through counterweights and adjustable trim masses.

    Copyright:

    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
    Download as pdf or txt
    71 views4 pages

    Yasir2015 PDF

    Uploaded by

    RAhul Ťs
    The document describes the design of an air bearing table developed to test attitude control systems for small satellites. Key points: - The air bearing table allows free rotation of a test platform on a cushion of air, simulating weightlessness. This allows testing of satellite sensors, actuators, and control algorithms on the ground. - The design includes a 5-inch diameter spherical air bearing, an aluminum test platform, support structure, and control panel. A modular design allows integration of different sized bearings to increase payload capacity. - Ensuring the center of gravity of the test articles matches the center of rotation is important. The platform is balanced in all axes through counterweights and adjustable trim masses.

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    of 4

    Design & Development of Air Bearing Table for On

    Ground Testing of AOCS Hardware


    Dr. Muhammad Yasir Asim Khan M. Mazhar Zia M.Mubeen.Anwar Yawar Sibtain Rizvi
    GS EM&C Division GS Propulsion Sys Div. GSEM&C Division GS EM&C Division GS EM&C Division
    SUPARCO SRDC SUPARCO SRDC SUPARCO SRDC SUPARCO SRDC SUPARCO SRDC
    Lahore, Pakistan Lahore, Pakistan Lahore, Pakistan Lahore, Pakistan Lahore, Pakistan
    [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected]

    Abstract—Air bearing table is used to validate attitude of gravity (CG) of lifted structure can be controlled in all three
    control strategies for small satellites and to validate the axes by fine trimming masses.
    performance of satellite sensors and actuators on ground with
    frictionless environment before launch. It can only be done by II. DESIGN DETAILS
    using a test platform that floats on the continuous airstream and
    hence allowing free rotation around all three axes. The system is Air Bearing Table is compact, reliable and
    employed to develop, improve, and carry out tests of sensors versatile equipment used for testing AOCS hardware and
    (magnetometer, sun sensor), actuators (reaction wheel, magnetic algorithms. The detail of each component is given below.
    torquer), and algorithms in the experimental framework. In
    order to simulate weightlessness, it is essential for the platform to
    be completely balanced in all axes. Another important A. Spherical Air Bearing
    consideration is that the combined center of gravity (COG) of the The spherical air bearing is designed and manufactured in-
    lifted structure should be coincident or very close to the center of house with Al-6061. The diameter of rotor is selected as 5
    rotation (COR) of bearing. inch as it fulfilled the loading requirement. There are seven
    small holes in the stator proportionally spaced that provide the
    In this paper the design detail of developed air bearing table
    air film cushion between rotor and stator in loaded condition
    is discussed. It provides a cost effective mean to test small
    satellites and their AOCS hardware. The diameter of air bearing [1]. The air film thickness varies with the load on the bearing.
    is selected as 5 inch as it fulfilled the loading requirement which
    is integrated with the platform. The designed load is selected to
    be 100kg class satellites. Modular design approach is adopted in
    order to accommodate different sizes of air bearing and hence
    enhancing the lifting capability of the platform. The sensitivity of
    platform is tested to be as small as 5 grams. The vertical
    balancing of the system (Z-axis) is done by adding counter
    weights at each corner of the platform, while horizontal
    balancing is carried out with the help of trimming masses in two
    axes(X,Y). The platform allows tilt angle of 30° about X and Y
    axes while free rotation of 360° about Z-axis. The system is tested
    for the dummy weight of 75kg at continuous pressure of 4bar. Fig. 1. Rotor (left) and Stator (right), main components of Spherical Air
    For the desired lifting mass, appropriate air compressor is Bearing
    selected that can supply maximum pressure of 8 bar. A control
    panel is also provided to regulate the air flow according to the B. Platform
    experimental needs. FEM analysis is carried out for the platform
    to check the maximum lifting capability of the system. The A platform of suitable dimensions 940x940mm is chosen. In
    results were found within safe limits. order to reduce the inert mass of the lifted structure, platform
    is manufactured with Al-6061. The platform is painted
    Keywords—Air Bearing Table, AOCS (Attitude and Orbit Conrols afterwards to make it scratch resistant. The designed platform
    System), Sensors, Actuators, FEM (Finite Element Method) is also reinforced at the bottom as can be seen in the Fig. 2.
    I. INTRODUCTION
    The developed air bearing table is designed for testing small
    satellites and their AOCS hardware. This table allows a free
    360° rotation around the vertical axis and a 30°rotation around
    the horizontal axes. The platform has been tested for a dummy
    weight of 75kg and achieved the desired level of performance.
    A modular design approach is adopted in order to enhance its
    weight lifting capacity. A set of rotor and stator with larger
    size can be integrated with the system for that purpose. Center
    and removed from the platform easily. There are eight dummy
    weights, each has a mass of 25kg and are fixed on the platform
    during the testing phase.

    Fig. 2. Designed platform for Air Bearing

    C. Table and Control panel


    Table is made up of SS and capable of accommodating small
    Fig. 4. Dummy Weight
    and large stator on it. It is properly balanced and also has a
    ring of aluminum mounted on it that restricts the movement of III. BALANCING SYSTEM
    the main platform up to 30 degree about X and Y axes.
    Control panel at the front end has an air regulator, plug valve In order to simulate weightlessness, it is very important for the
    and air filter for the absorption of moisture from the platform to be completely balanced in all axes. Another
    important consideration while designing the system is that the
    compressed air, shown in Fig.3. Pressure gauge is also
    combined COG of the lifted structure should be exactly
    installed on the control panel that provides the real time
    coincident to the center of rotation of bearing [2]. This is
    operating pressure of the system. achieved through CAD modeling and assigning densities to all
    components, then balancing the system in Z-axis to make
    them coincident or as close as possible. Balancing in
    horizontal plane is achieved through trimming masses while
    vertical balancing is achieved by attaching counterbalance
    mass with the platform. The detail of balancing is given
    below.
    A. Horizontal Balancing
    For fine CG adjustment of the lifted platform, trimming
    masses are installed on the platform in X and Y axes. These
    trimming masses are actually the weights that can be moved
    manually on a threaded rod with fine pitch [3]. These masses
    can be motorized with slight design changes. In addition, the
    slots are provided on the lifted platform for the sliding the
    base of these trimming masses that in turn increase the
    balancing capability of the system.

    Fig. 3. Table and control panel

    D. Compressor
    Selection of air compressor is an important parameter for the Fig. 5. Fine CG adjustment in horizontal axis
    air bearing design that affects the lifting capability of the
    system. For the desired lifting mass, appropriate compressor is B. Vertical Counterbalancing
    selected that can give a continuous air stream of 3.7 CFM at 2 Weights are added at each corner of the platform in order to
    bar. Maximum pressure of the compressor is 8 bars. counterbalance the system in Z-axis. A slot is also added in
    E. Dummy Weights the rod just to enhance the balancing capability. Weights with
    The Dummy weights are manufactured in order to check the different sizes were manufactured to accommodate different
    lifting capability of the system. These weights can be placed payloads on the platform.
    (b)

    Fig. 6. Counter Balancing Weight

    IV. FEM ANALYSIS


    FEA Analysis of Air Bearing Platform has been performed in
    ANSYS.Inc. The results are shown in Error! Reference
    source not found.7 and Error! Reference source not (c)
    found.8: Fig. 8. FEM based analysis (a) Deformation with applied load at corners
    (Overall); (b) Deformation with applied load at corners (Z-axis); (c) Stress
    Analysis (Von-Misses)
    a) Deformation of 1.15mm at corners with applied load
    of 140N (With Max. expected load of 2000N at the
    center)
    b) STRESS – 14 MPa V. ADVANTAGES
    Following are various distinct advantages of our developed
    Stress is found within safe limit. Maximum stresses are found
    Air Bearing Table:
    at center where the platform is fixed with the table, whereas
    • Easy to maintain.
    enough stiffness ensures safe operation.
    • Low cost
    • Modular design to accommodate different sizes of air
    bearing
    • Provides real time confidence about the proper
    behavior of physical system to be used in space
    for years
    • Provides testing of AOCS algorithms which is the
    main requirement of space worthy hardware
    before launch
    • In-house developed table has already been tested
    Fig. 7. FEA Model for the dummy weight of 75 kg
    • Capability of CG adjustment in all three axes
    • Sensitive / Responsive to 5gm
    • Lifting capacity can be enhanced to 200kg with
    slight modifications

    VI. DEVELOPED AIR BEARING TABLE


    Developed air bearing table is shown in Fig. 9. The system
    provides a frictionless rotation of the platform in all three
    axes.
    (a)
    Fig. 9. Developed Air Bearing Table

    VII. CONCLUSION
    In conclusion it can be said that the developed air bearing
    table is a reliable and cost effective way of testing the AOCS
    hardware on ground. It is very difficult to procure such
    equipment for the developing countries like Pakistan as Space
    qualified manufacturers exploit their skills and charge a lot of
    money. Sometimes restrictions have to be faced during
    procurement process. It is anticipated that the development of
    air bearing table will provide self reliance in the field of
    AOCS hardware testing. Its design, features, functions are all
    conceived by the team working in GS-EM&C Div, SRDC-L,
    SUPARCO.
    REFERENCES

    [1]. WANG Fu-sheng, BAO Gang, “Static characteristics of new type


    externally pressurized spherical air bearings” J. Cent. South Univ.
    Technol. (2011)

    [2]. Richard Boynton, “Using a spherical air bearing to simulate


    weightlessness” 55th annual conference of the society of Allied
    Weight Engineers, Inc. Atlanta, Georgia 3-5 June 1996.

    [3]. J. Prado., G. Bisiacchi., L. Reyes., E. Vicente., F. Contreras., M.


    Mesinas., and A. Juárez. “Three axis air-bearing based platform for
    small satellite attitude determination and control simulation,”
    Journal of Applied Research and Technology, Aug 2005.

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