DEVICE FOR SIMULATION OF WEIGHTLESSNESS OF SECTIONAL COLLAPSIBLE PANELS OF SPACECRAFT SOLAR BATTERIES Russian patent published in 2007 - IPC B64G7/00 G01M13/00 G01M17/00 B64G5/00 

FIELD: testing low-stiffness multi-member mechanical systems of spacecraft equipment for opening.

SUBSTANCE: proposed device includes sectional collapsible rods secured on horizontal transportation ring mounted in upper part of spacecraft. Rods are located above sectional collapsible panels of solar batteries and are connected with them by means of adjustable weightlessness springs mounted vertically. Secured on ceiling of room (or on separate support) are load-bearing pylons with horizontal shelves; bearing rollers are mounted on rods on side of solar battery panels. Rollers may be engageable with horizontal shelves of pylons when the rods are in the open position. These shelves are provided with inclined receivers for rollers; spring-loaded permanent magnets are secured on pylons. Magnets may be engageable with plates made from magnetic material. These plates are secured on sectional collapsible rods.

EFFECT: improved service characteristics of device due to reduced loads on panel opening drives in testing them for functioning.

4 dwg