Prototype of Spherical Wrist and Curved Scissors

This paper covers a design study of a support ring in deployable reflector antenna. Following type of antennas commonly used in open space, orbiting on earth, to provide satellite services such as radiocommunication, data exchange, networking, satellite imagery, global positioning, navigating earth observation. Satellite antennas often have parabolic shapes. That shape is achieved using a support ring and its ability to provide proper tension for geodesic mesh. Beside tension, the support ring is a structure which provides the ability of deployment for reflector antennas. Ability of deployment is important for an object to maintain the smallest possible volume during transportation and on the other hand achieve the large diameter while unfolding, once it’s placed on orbit. Deployment is provided from joint connections in structure and geometrical shapes of nodes. Set of curved scissors paired with spherical wrist used to achieve desired ring geometry. Study represents optimized concepts for structural nodes and joint connections for pantograph systems. Research is funded by Shota Rustaveli National Science Foundation of Georgia (PHDF-22-1064) SRNSFG.