Contact modeling and simulation analysis on the non-explosive separation device of a spacecraft

To ensure the reliable connection and separation of the separation device in the launching process of a spacecraft，the contact dynamics and separation process of a certain type of non-explosive separation device was studied. In the non-explosive separation device a shape memory alloy ( SMA) spring was used as the driving source. A contact model was established and analyzed and the contact parameters were determined according to the contact theory. A dynamic simulation model was established and corresponding simulation was carried out. The simulation results show that the separation shock is less than 300，which is consistent with the experimental results. The recovery time of the SMA spring in separation device，the preload force and the spring stiffness were investigated for revealing the influence of the separation process. The results show that the recovery time and preload force have opposite effects on the shock response of the separation device，whose evaluation must be taken into account comprehensively. Among the spring parameters，the stiffness of the segment separation spring and the bolt separation spring have the greatest influence on the separation shock. © 2023 Chinese Vibration Engineering Society. All rights reserved.