Structural optimization of the outer ring of FAST Telescope

Xin-yu Zhang; Hui Li; Shi-mo Yang

doi:10.1117/12.930994

17 September 2012 Structural optimization of the outer ring of FAST Telescope

Xin-yu Zhang, Hui Li, Shi-mo Yang

Proceedings Volume 8444, Ground-based and Airborne Telescopes IV; 84445X (2012) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.930994
Event: SPIE Astronomical Telescopes + Instrumentation, 2012, Amsterdam, Netherlands

Abstract

The two-axis steering mechanism installed in the FAST focus cabin can be seen as a universal joint consisting of two ring beams and makes role in the process of real-time adjustment of the receiver orientation. The outer ring of the mechanism is a large-span curve beam with strict mass and rigidity requirements. The aim of this paper is to develop a simple and effective method for constructing a truss-shape structure for the outer ring under the upper-limit constraints of certain structural weight and mid-span deflection. Two truss configurations for weight minimization problems are presented. One assumes consistent beam height. The second design proposes varying heights along the ring. Analytical deflections are given based on the theory of thin-walled beam in combination of bending and torsion. In numerical optimization of the structure, some key geometrical parameters are selected to be optimized. The optimization is subsequently achieved by the steepest descent method, which is based on the sensitivity analysis of the variables (reduced to be dimensionless) in each iteration. Several sets of initial conditions for optimization have been generated randomly. Corresponding optimum results have small mutual deviations. Finally a comparison of the two designs considering stiffness-to-mass ratios is given in the numerical examples.

Citation Download Citation

Xin-yu Zhang, Hui Li, and Shi-mo Yang "Structural optimization of the outer ring of FAST Telescope", Proc. SPIE 8444, Ground-based and Airborne Telescopes IV, 84445X (17 September 2012); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.930994

ACCESS THE FULL ARTICLE

INSTITUTIONAL
Select your institution to access the SPIE Digital Library.

SELECT YOUR INSTITUTION

PERSONAL
Sign in with your SPIE account to access your personal subscriptions or to use specific features such as save to my library, sign up for alerts, save searches, etc.

PERSONAL SIGN IN

No SPIE Account? Create one

PURCHASE THIS CONTENT

SUBSCRIBE TO DIGITAL LIBRARY

50 downloads per 1-year subscription

Members: $195

Non-members: $335 ADD TO CART

25 downloads per 1 - year subscription

Members: $145

Non-members: $250 ADD TO CART

PURCHASE SINGLE ARTICLE

Includes PDF, HTML & Video, when available

Members: $17.00

Non-members: $21.00 ADD TO CART

PROCEEDINGS
11 PAGES

DOWNLOAD PAPER SAVE TO MY LIBRARY

GET CITATION

RIGHTS & PERMISSIONS

Get copyright permission Get copyright permission on Copyright Marketplace

KEYWORDS

Telescopes

Optimization (mathematics)

Finite element methods

Receivers

Actuators

Human-computer interaction

Lithium

Show All Keywords

Keywords/Phrases

Search In:

Publication Years