Study on the Failure Mechanism and Reliability Evaluation of Space Capture Devices

• Published in: The proceedings of ... International Conference on Reliability, Maintainability and Safety pp. 836 - 845
• Main Authors: Wang, Yingying, Ma, Yu, Yu, Tianxiang, Liu, Chang, Liao, Xing
• Format: Conference Proceeding
• Language: English
• Published: IEEE 26.08.2023
• Subjects: capture device; Fasteners; Friction; Insulators; Interference; Mathematical models; Reliability; Reliability engineering; Reliability theory; response surface method; Response surface methodology; Space vehicles
• ISSN: 2575-2642
• DOI: 10.1109/ICRMS59672.2023.00150

The space capture device is an important part of the launch vehicle, particularly in the task of separating the satellite from the rocket. Failure to securely engage the docking bolt in the device may have severe consequences for the subsequent launch mission, potentially resulting in mission failure. This study focuses on investigating the space capture device as its research subject. The analysis centers on understanding the functional principles of the capture device, identifying causes of failure, and delineating primary failure modes. Moreover, it establishes failure criteria, considering aspects such as energy, rebound velocity, and interference area. The paper formulates a reliability mathematical model for the capture device through theoretical derivation and the application of the response surface method. This model facilitates the assessment of the capture device's reliability and the evaluation of how various parameters influence its reliability. The findings indicate that, when accounting for the failure mode where the docking bolt fails to pass through the bushing, the capture does not fail if the velocity of the docking bolt closely aligns with the assumed mean speed. Consequently, the analysis focuses solely on the failure mode involving the docking bolt passing through the bushing and subsequently bouncing back through it. Utilizing the series reliability model established based on rebound speed and interference area, the calculated failure probability is determined to be 0.00052. Notably, the projection length of the bush reed on the bolt and the friction coefficient between the docking bolt and the bushing emerge as the two factors exerting the most substantial influence on the capture device's failure probability. An increase in the probability of successful capture can be achieved by appropriately increasing the projection length of the bush reed on the bolt while simultaneously reducing the friction coefficient between the docking bolt and the bushing.