Dynamic modeling and active vibration control of an on-orbit assembled planar phased array antenna with numerous revolute clearance hinges

The shape accuracy of a space phased array antenna is crucial in determining its performance. In the antenna structure, the clearances, geometric deviations, and flexibilities of numerous revolute hinges significantly affect the analysis and control of antenna shape accuracy. This paper proposes the comprehensive dynamic modeling method and active vibration control method of the antenna structure with numerous hinges. First, by introducing the nonlinear contact force of hinges into the finite element method, the nonlinear dynamic model of the antenna structure with hinge clearances and flexibilities is established. Based on the polynomial fitting method, a model order reduction method is employed to simplify the nonlinear dynamic model. Then, to address the geometric deviation problem of numerous hinges, a model updating method based on clustering optimization and frequency criterion is proposed. Finally, an active vibration control method using cable actuators is proposed to reduce the nonlinear vibration of the antenna structure with numerous hinges, and an actuator distribution optimization method is established. The numerical simulation results demonstrate that the proposed nonlinear dynamic model can well reflect the influence of the hinges on the antenna structure and that the proposed control method can effectively suppress the nonlinear vibration.