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Elastic Memory Composite Hinge (EMCH)
06.26.08

Overview | Description | Applications | Operations | Results | Publications | Images

Experiment/Payload Overview

Brief Summary

Elastic Memory Composite Hinge (EMCH) will study the performance of a new type of composite hinge to determine its suitability for use in space. The experiment uses elastic memory hinges to move an attached mass at one end. Materials tested in this experiment are stronger and lighter than current materials used in space hinges and could be used in the design of future spacecraft.

Principal Investigator

  • Lieutenant Corey Duncan, Air Force Research Laboratory, Kirtland Air Force Base, NM

    • Co-Investigator(s)/Collaborator(s)

  • Captain Mark Scherbarth, Air Force Research Laboratory, Kirtland Air Force Base, NM
  • Erik Abrahamson, Composite Technology Development, Incorporated, Lafayette, CO

    • Payload Developer


    Composite Technology Development, Incorporated, Lafayette, CO
    United States Department of Defense Space Test Program, Johnson Space Center, Houston, TX

    Sponsoring Agency

    National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)

    Expeditions Assigned

    |15|

    Previous ISS Missions

    The Lightweight Flexible Solar Array Hinge - LFSAH, a precursor to EMCH was flown on STS-93.

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    Experiment/Payload Description

    Research Summary

    • Building new spacecraft structures in space necessitates deploying (unfolding) items that have been launched from Earth. This experiment will use the Elastic Memory Composite Hinge (EMCH) to move an attached mass at one end.


    • The six hinges being evaluated were developed by the Air Force Research Laboratory from a resin and carbon fiber laminate.


    • The study will measure the force and torque on the hinge, and the accuracy of the deployment.


    • New materials that are reliable, light, and strong, will be important building blocks of future exploration spacecraft.

    Description

    The Elastic Memory Composite Hinge (EMCH) experiment will provide data on testing of new materials that will further space hardware technology. This technology may eliminate the need for highly complex deployment mechanisms by providing a simpler, lightweight alternative. EMCH builds on the previous Shuttle mid-deck experiment developed by Lockheed Martin for the Air Force Research Laboratory's Lightweight Flexible Solar Array Hinge (LFSAH) experiment flown on STS-93. The six EMCH test articles to be tested on ISS will be approximately 10 x 2.5 x 2.5 cm in dimension and made of a unique resin and carbon fiber laminate developed at Composite Technology Development, Inc. End fixtures and metrology devices will be developed to allow the EMCH test articles to be deployed through remote actuation, while their force-torque history and deployment accuracy are recorded automatically. A resistive heater is embedded in the Elastic Memory Composite (EMC) laminates in the hinge to provide the heat necessary for actuation. The hinge will be folded on the ground and deployed in space. Each hinge requires 12 watts of power for 2-3 minutes. A proximity sensor will be attached to the end mass to determine the final position upon deployment. A second motion sensor will be used to determine the deployment versus time history. The test articles will be re-settable to allow for multiple deployments.

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    Applications

    Space Applications

    EMC materials tested in this experiment are stronger and lighter than current material used in space hinges and could be used in the design of future spacecraft.

    Earth Applications

    Since composite materials are valued for being lightweight and strong, the hinges may have spin-off applications on Earth.

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    Operations

    Operational Requirements

    The crewmember applies power to the experiment, waits for the hinges to reach the appropriate temperature, and then proceeds to activate each hinge individually. Video and photo documentation of deployments is required. Reheating of the test articles will allow the crewmember to return the hinges to their stowed position using the control panel on the EMCH chassis. A full cycle (power on, hinge deployment, hinge reset) will be less than 90 Minutes. Once the hinges have been reset, deployments can be activated again. Data downlink of hinge deployments is required.

    Operational Protocols

    EMCH will be launched in a bag on the 12A.1. It will be transitioned to ISS and stored in a locker. During use, it will be attached to the outside of the ISS rack then returned. Photo and video will be required.

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    Results/More Information

    No Information Available

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    Related Web Sites
  • Composite Technology Development, Inc.
  • Composite Technology Development, Inc. - News
  • Air Forc Material Demand

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    Publications

    Results Publications

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      Related Publications

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        Images

        imageShown is the flight hardware containing several individual hinges enclosed visible through a lexan window that will be used for images of the hinges during testing. Image courtesy of Composite Technology Development, Inc.
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        imageAn alternative view of the flight hardware containing several EMCH hinges enclosed visible through a lexan window that will be used for images of the hinges during testing.
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        imageNASA Image: ISS015E08404 - View of the Elastic Memory Composite Hinge (EMCH) Experiment assembly in the U.S. Laboratory/Destiny. Photo was taken during Expedition 15.
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        imageNASA Image: ISS015E08434 - View of Expedition 15 astronaut and Flight Engineer (FE-2), Suni Williams, posing for a photo during the Elastic Memory Composite Hinge (EMCH) Experiment operations in the U.S. Laboratory/Destiny. The EMCH assembly (gold box) is visible on right of photo.
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        Information Provided and Updated by the ISS Program Scientist's Office
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