Force Limited Vibration Testing

NTS Force Limited Vibration Test Case Study
CloudSat Spacecraft Radar Antenna

In vibration testing of high value aerospace hardware, over testing of light, high performance structures is a great concern. Discrepancies between the mechanical impedances and the force capabilities of the mounting structure and the vibration shaker can cause catastrophic structural and functional problems to test item. The effectiveness of the radar depends on it retaining its structural integrity over the entire surface of the antenna and that all its electronics are a) tested at, or near levels they will experience in its service life and b) the resonance of various parts of the radar follow those of the model. Consequently, the vibration test lab required 60 data channels to accurately verify the design of the instrument and its ability to withstand launch, cruise and deployment loads. To avoid over testing, NTS used Force Limiting Test Process using four force transducers to prevent exceeding total load of 1000 pounds.

Vibration tests in accordance with 1) TP 141- 0258-9; Date 11/05/02, 2) ANSI NCSL Z540-1, 3) Mil-I 45208 on Cloud Sat Cloud Pro ling Radar (CPR) Antenna Subsystem were conducted in each of the three mutually perpendicular axis. The test item was subjected to sine, random and sine burst vibration with the objective that subsequent examination showed no evidence of physical damage resulting from the test.

CloutSat main payload vertical vibration test.

Equipment under test: CloudSat Satellite

The CloudSat is an experimental satellite that works with several other satellites and uses radar to measure the vertical structures of clouds and cloud properties from space. The CloudSat Mission is a partnership between Colorado State University, NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, the Canadian Space Agency, the US Air Force, and the US Department of Energy. Ball Aerospace built the CloudSat. CloudSat’s 94-GHz frequency nadir-looking radar allows for a reasonably sized antenna – 1.95 m – and relatively low level power requirements while meeting cloud pro ling performance objectives. The structure of the radar can be divided into two parts: the omni-directional patch antenna and the electronics in an enclosure below the dish. The test weight of the radar payload is 245 kg.

Test Program Security

The critical nature of CloudSat mission (and integral part of formation with four other spacecraft) and the unit’s $12 million worth called for extensive security measures. JPL audited the NTS test site which is a gated, patrolled and alarmed facility.

In addition, NTS fulfilled additional precautions including:

Notifying LAPD
Placing NTS security contractor on high alert
Contacting Department of the Airports (shares jurisdiction with LAPD)
24 hour surveillance of Test Object
JPL provided armed escort to, and from NTS

Test Set Up and Method

A Ling 340B shaker with hydraulically actuated slip bearings was utilized, with vertical setup armature/interface plate bolts torqued to 50 ft-lbs, head expander bolts torqued to 70 ft-lbs and fixture bolts torqued to 50 ft-lbs. Final free oat setting on the horizontal slip axis was 1,800 psig to test free oat and 2,300 psig operational pressure. Driver bar armature bolts were torqued to 50 ft-lbs, slip plate bolts to 40 ft-lbs and fixture bolts to 50 lbs. The shaker installation sits atop a substantial reaction mass, 14 ft x 18 ft x 8 ft cement base.

Front view of CloudSat vertical vibration testing.

Description of the Test Data

Four force transducers mounted to at the interface of the test item to the fixture to determine real force during the test and compare it with the test force limit. The CloudSat aggregate force limit of 1000 lbs is a result of the force transducers measuring along three axis, and combining the 12 signals into one set of xyz coordinates. For the real-time force limiting capability, the vibration controller required two independent reference channels: one for controlling the required acceleration function and the second one for limiting the input, using the measured force. In addition to the independent reference channels, NTS set up the test to download data from 60 channels, hooking up real time acquisition for sine and random to avoid overwhelming computer resources. Prior to testing on each of the three axis, fixture surveys in sine sweep, random and burst testing were successfully completed. After each survey, real qualification testing was performed. The entire test in all its sequences proceeded smoothly and was completed in one week.

Conclusion

Sine, random and burst vibration tests of the CloudSat radar unit were successfully completed in one week. To protect the lightweight design of the unit, force limiting acceleration of 1000 lbs was successfully imposed. Data from 60 channels were downloaded, with sine and random information acquired in real-time. The resultant savings in the time it took to prepare the data meant that a printout was ready at the end of the test, ready to accompany the satellite to the next phase testing at TRW. As an added plus, the instrumented satellite could continue without changes, because TRW and NTS used the same signal conditioner.

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NTS Force Limited Vibration Test Case Study
CloudSat Spacecraft Radar Antenna

Equipment under test: CloudSat Satellite

Test Program Security

Test Set Up and Method

Description of the Test Data

Conclusion

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NOT SURE WHERE TO START?

NOT SURE WHERE TO START?

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NOT SURE WHERE TO START?

NOT SURE WHERE TO START?

NOT SURE WHERE TO START?

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NTS Force Limited Vibration Test Case Study CloudSat Spacecraft Radar Antenna

Equipment under test: CloudSat Satellite

Test Program Security

Test Set Up and Method

Description of the Test Data

Conclusion

Ask an Expert

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NTS Force Limited Vibration Test Case Study
CloudSat Spacecraft Radar Antenna