Thermal expansion, contraction, and deflection of flexible solar paddles

Concerning a tension-controlled flexible solar paddle, thermomechanical ana lyses are made to predict maximum/minimum possible temperatures, resulting thermal expansion/contraction lengths, and thermal bending stress generated . Paddle tension-control-mechanism pull-out strokes are then calculated to discuss possibilities of an overstroke that may stress the paddle. Calculat ed results substantiate the rationality of presumed causes of paddle damage . Strain measurements were also conducted at component/piece/segment levels to determine the paddle equivalent expansion coefficient. Emphasized is th at a reasonable estimate of thermal expansion/contraction should be made un der temperature-dependent coefficient values.