Numerical calculation of inchworm actuator reliability: effect of space temperature and material parameters

Abstract

Purpose

The inchworm actuator is widely applied in space industry. One of the major issues in space instrumentation is the reliability, especially under space thermal load. The purpose of this paper is to present a numerical calculation method for the inchworm actuator reliability with considering the effect of space temperature.

Design/methodology/approach

First, the structure of designed inchworm actuator is introduced, and the main failure reason is analyzed. Then the wear model is proposed with considering the space temperature, and an experiment device is designed to verify the wear model. Finally, the reliability calculation method is developed based on the working principle of the inchworm actuator.

Findings

The numerical calculation method can be applied to calculate the reliability of the inchworm actuator with considering the space temperature. And the results provide a new perspective to discuss the influences of the temperature and driving voltage on the reliability of inchworm actuators.

Originality/value

This work presents a reliability calculation method of inchworm actuators with considering the space temperature.

Citation

Dong, H., Li, T., Wang, Z. and Ning, Y. (2023), "Numerical calculation of inchworm actuator reliability: effect of space temperature and material parameters", Aircraft Engineering and Aerospace Technology, Vol. 95 No. 2, pp. 237-245. https://doi.org/10.1108/AEAT-01-2022-0006