ARQUIMEA Actuators Group is specialized in the development of SMARQ actuators for space mechanisms developers. Based on our proprietary shape memory alloy material, so called SMARQ, We can provide any type of actuator (linear, rotary, hold down and release, break...) qualified for spaceflight operation in an extended temperature range from -150 ºC up to +150 ºC. SMARQ is Immune to Radiation. Immune to Magnetic Field. Immune to Electromagnetic jamming

ARQUIMEA Actuators Group is open to work with our Customer engineers to adapt our actuators to the interface and requirements of your application. Either for Satellite or Launcher mechanisms, SMARQ technology is well suited to meet your requirements.

What is SMARQ ? If you want to know more about SMARQ technology please contact with ARQUIMEA Actuators Group and request the SMARQ Technology Datasheet

SMARQ Actuators can be used in satellite Hold Down and Release Mechanisms and also on Deployment Mechanisms. But, What do HDRM and DM do?

Most spacecraft have appendages (Solar Arrays, Antenna Reflectors,Radiators, Instruments, Doors, Sensors, Booms etc) that are held stowed during launch, in order to fit into the available launcher volume and survive launch loads, then later deployed in orbit into their operating position.

Other equipment like scanning/refocusing mechanisms, Electric Propulsion Pointing Mechanisms or Coarse Pointing Mechanisms shall be stowed during launch and released once in orbit in order to allow on station operations without any specific deployment.

To achieve these functions, two different types of mechanisms are used one after the other, Hold-Down and Release Mechanisms (HDRMs) and Deployment Mechanisms (DMs).

Hold Down and Release Mechanisms (HDRM) are standard components for spacecraft in order to achieve mission related critical functions. Their main functions are to secure during launch and to release once in orbit, or during descent to/on planetary surface, movable payload items, deployable appendages and separable mission elements. They can also be used in order to achieve timely synchronization for the deployment and/or ejection of specific appendages or separable mission elements.

The Deployment Mechanisms (DM) are used to enable deployment of a released appendage from its stowed position to its operational position following a defined set of kinematics and passive-to-active controlled dynamics. Once the final position is reached, the appendage is either latched at a defined position or the DM is used as a re-pointing or trimming device in order to achieve specific mission related functions.

SMARQ HDRA provide high load and minimum release shock. SMARQ rotary actuator for DM allows an electrically controlled deployment, avoiding springs, and therefore avoiding the need for shock absorbing devices or brakes. Also, SMARQ actuator technology is highly reliable due to its built-in redundant design (multifiber approach), and it allows easy mechanism testing during AIT due to its electronic resettable function.

Zero-Shock SMARQ Actuators can be used in Launcher systems such as :

• Fairing Separation Mechanism
• Payload Adapter and Separation System
• Substitution of Pyroshock actuators
  

Please check our SMARQ actuators online catalogue.

This design has been conceived to have cylindrical shape in which length and diameter present similar dimensions, such as 47.0 mm of external diameter and 36.0 mm of length with pin deployed. The estimated weight of the whole structure, including commercial and not commercial components is 69.89 g.

Three attached pieces, arranged at 120° each other, gives stiffness to the structure supporting the external forces applied on the housing. The moving fixation is located in the crown that will rotate for trigger. Six spheres support the pin in the unactuated position blocking the stroke. The assembly ensures the alignment of components and compactness of the design. Films of solid lubricant are prevented between moving part in order to reduce friction and just spheres are covered by solid lubricant coating.

A wave spring, located in the bottom of housing, absorbs the energy yielded by the shock during operation. A M4 hole on the pin tip allows installing a screw that can be used to pull for the device reset. A flat surface in the pin shaft and frame does not allow the undesired rotation of pin, preventing the mechanism to be accidentally released by an external force. Finally, slots on pin and base ensure a successful assembly of stroke spring and allow reducing the longitudinal dimensions of Pin Puller. No complex features, like slots, holes and chamfers, have been assumed as solution for reducing weight of Pin Puller without increasing the manufacturing complexity.

This design has been conceived in order to obtain a flat model structure. The device external diameter is 54.0 mm, the length is 28.0 mm with pin retracted and its estimated weight is 74.95 g. The reset spring and the SMA actuator are fixed to some components named attached pieces. These pieces are also used for increasing the structure stiffness. The moving fixation of the SMA actuator is located in the crown structure. The pin is supported by three rigid bars, arranged at 120 deg each other, that block the pin stroke and bear the axial external forces.

Pin Puller V.2-100 has been conceived in order to have a low weight structure, no complex features and suitable stiffness. The rigid bars are blocked by parts, called sphere supports, in suitable way for a smoothly releasing during operation. Special features in spheres and supports help to move the rigid bars to the initial position of about 75 º. Moreover, the moving components have been designed in order to have contacts through a line (avoiding adhesion).

Films of solid lubricant are prevented between moving part in order to reduce friction and just spheres are covered by solid lubricant coating. Components present features that ensure the assembly alignment as well as provide compactness and robustness to the design. No complex features are used in the design, ensuring the low weight without increasing manufacture complexity. The Pin Puller V.2-100 reset is planning to be done by pulling a M4 screw located in the pin tip.

This design has been conceived to have cylindrical shape in which length and diameter present similar dimensions, such as 80.0 mm of external diameter and 71.5 mm of length in un-actuated position. The estimated weight of the whole structure, including commercial and not commercial components is 248.0 g. The mechanical design has been conceived in order to optimize the device's weight, reduce the parts complexity and achieve a suitable stiffness. The assembly ensures the alignment of components and compactness of the design. Four attached pieces work as columns incrementing the structure stiffness. Moreover, the base has a specific shape that ensures a centred movement of the crown that rotates around it.

Similarly, the pin translates along a internal ring ensuring the concentricity of both pieces. The four spheres, which support the pin, are located in grooves of the internal rings and base that do not allow their free movement. Three drills on the frame top allow joining the Pin Puller with baseframe by using three M5 screws. A M4 hole on the pin tip allows installing a threaded tool that can be used to pull for the device reset. Flat surfaces both in the pin shaft and in the frame do not allow the undesired rotation of pin, preventing the mechanism to be accidentally released by an external force. No complex features, like slots, holes and chamfers, have been assumed as solution for reducing weight of Pin Puller without increasing the manufacturing complexity.

This design has been conceived to have cylindrical shape in which length and diameter present similar dimensions, such as 80.0 mm of external diameter and 71.5 mm of length in un-actuated position. The estimated weight of the whole structure, including commercial and not commercial components is 248.0 g. The mechanical design has been conceived in order to optimize the device's weight, reduce the parts complexity and achieve a suitable stiffness. The assembly ensures the alignment of components and compactness of the design. Four attached pieces work as columns incrementing the structure stiffness. Moreover, the base has a specific shape that ensures a centred movement of the crown that rotates around it.

Similarly, the pin translates along a internal ring ensuring the concentricity of both pieces. The four spheres, which support the pin, are located in grooves of the internal rings and base that do not allow their free movement. Three drills on the frame top allow joining the Pin Puller with baseframe by using three M5 screws. A M4 hole on the pin tip allows installing a threaded tool that can be used to pull for the device reset. Flat surfaces both in the pin shaft and in the frame do not allow the undesired rotation of pin, preventing the mechanism to be accidentally released by an external force. No complex features, like slots, holes and chamfers, have been assumed as solution for reducing weight of Pin Puller without increasing the manufacturing complexity.