Dynamical Simulation of Flexible Multi-body Systems: Applications to Satellites Motions

Summary

We consider the dynamical analysis of flexible space vehicles modelled by a chain of rigid and elastic bodies with tree structure. The multibody system consists of (n+1) bodies (S_i) (i = 0,1,...,n) interconnected by n hinges la (a =1,...,n). The only external forces and torques are exerted on the first body which is assumed to be rigid. On each individual flexible appendage (S_i), the only external forces and torques are those introduced by the hinges. Assuming that the multibody system undergoes small vibrations around an equilibrium position, we define in frequency domain the linear transformation giving the resultant forces and torques on the boundaries of each flexible appendage (S_i) in terms of the displacements of these boundaries. The motion of each flexible appendage is represented by a set of components modes, which are the modes obtained when the appendage vibrates independently with respect to the other parts of the whole system.