Analysis of tape spring hinges

In this paper, the performance of four different tape spring hinges are studied. The tape spring hinges consist of pairs of short-length hardened-steel tape springs side by side but mounted in different ways, and can be used to fold and deploy structural elements on spacecraft. Behaviour of a tape spring subject to two- and three-dimensional folds is investigated by both analytical and non-linear finite element methods. The moment–rotation profiles of the hinges are obtained experimentally. It is observed that two hinge configurations yield negative moments in their moment–rotation profiles during deployment. The results of finite element analysis are compared with the experimental measurements, and are in good agreement.