Deployment dynamics of the solar array system with clearance joints considering interval uncertainties

The deployment mechanism and the joint clearance have been demonstrated to have a significant effect on the whole dynamic responses of solar array system. However, due to incomplete knowledge and the state-of-the-art manufacturing technique, uncertainties unavoidably inherited in the parameters of deployment mechanisms and joint clearance. In this work, the interval model is employed to quantify the uncertainties of deployment mechanisms and joint clearance, and the subinterval division based bivariate subinterval method (SBSM) is employed to calculate the response bound of the examined system. Effect of uncertainties from torque spring, closed cable loop mechanism, lock mechanism and the clearance joint on the dynamic response of the solar array system are discussed, respectively. Numerical results show that the uncertainty of stiffness coefficient of the torsional spring has a dominated influence on the system, which will cause uncertain variation and nonlinear oscillation of the response. Additionally, coupling interaction between parameter uncertainties and nonlinearity of clearance joint will induce aggressive velocity response and generate intensive oscillation.