Dynovas Shape Memory Actuated Retractable and Deployable (SMARD) booms provide the Vertical Solar Array Technology (VSAT) program and Dynovas own Motorless Array Deployment (MAD) energy and Motorless Expandable Solar (MESA) arrays a high-load, motorless option to deploy and retract solar arrays in the 40-60 kW class. SMARD integrates Nitinol shape memory alloy with a bistable composite boom(s) to deliver lifting/lowering forces > 330 N (the estimated weight of a 50 kW solar array). The Nitinol shape memory alloy can impart 172 Mpa during its shape change at a tunable transition temperature ranging from -180-300 °C. The shape change can be activated by resistive heating requiring only ~ 1 Watt. The conformal packaging of the SMARD actuators delivers the 50 kW solar array with packaging and weight efficiencies up to 60 kW/m3 and 180 W/kg. In comparison to other smart material actuators such as Macro Fiber Composite (MFC) ceramic piezoelectric actuators being investigated by Dynovas for 1-10 kW solar array the shape memory alloy Nitinol delivers 20+ times the strain and force. The increased force/strain will increase the survivability of SMARD and allow it to be applied to higher curvature geometries such as lenticular and triangular bi-stable composite booms. Relative to motors, Nitinol eliminates the potential to bind in the presence of dust/temperature changes, at 12% the volume and 20% the mass. Lastly, SMARD provides a bolt-on capability to a successful 10 kW array from VSAT that could expand the arrays capacity to 50 kW. VSAT will address many of the challenges associated with the 10 m stand-off, positioning, sun tracking, leveling, etc. If possible, it is ideal to re-use that technology instead of redesigning an entire 50 kW array. As such, the SMARD technology provides a direct drop in for the deploying boom OR can be attached to the ends of the deploying booms to extend out rigid transverse booms that allow additional wings of the array system to deploy. Anticipated
Benefits: This SBIR augments the VSAT program (10 kW arrays) by developing avenues towards enhancing the VSAT technologies (set for TRL 6 in 2024 and a return to the moon in 2027) to 50 kW as early as 2030. Other NASA uses of SMARD include: lunar landers, rovers, non-vertical or surface conforming arrays, deep space/Mars arrays, orbital arrays, sun shields, reflectors, solar sail batons, antenna, and lunar pop-up habitation structures. In addition to commercial applications identical to those of NASA (e.g., arrays), SMARD can be applied to heat engines, valves, as a replacement to solenoid actuators, antenna structures, hinges, solar powered electric vehicles, power substations, refueling stations, orbiting debris removal, and communications towers. The scalability of SMARD makes it applicable from a backpack to a tower.
