Deploy Experiment of Inflatable Tube Using Work Hardening

Abstract

the top of a star shape. The deployment experiments and some finite element method (FEM) analysis show that the pentalpha folding achieves excellent straight-line deployment. In general, creases of the folded inflatable tube are expanded by internal pressure for the desired shape. The inflatable tube should be rigidized after the desired shape is obtained otherwise the shape is lost when the internal pressure reduces. We propose to use work hardening for the subject. The shape of the inflatable tube is kept after the expansion because the influence of creases is erased by the work hardening. An appropriate design of internal pressure, material, and size of the tube is important.