Analysis of Latching Systems in Deployers of Deployable Structures Using Generalized Yale Lock and Sequential Logic

Abstract

Abstract Deployable structures can be erected from a folded configuration using a mechanism known as a deployer. Many latches are present in a deployer. These latches are coordinated in a logical and systematic manner to bring about the deployment of an associated deployable space structure. This article presents an investigation into the systematic analysis of the logical behavior of a latching system for a deployer on the MAST I flight experiment. Three approaches, a modification of the Generalized Yale Lock, Sequential Logic, and a combination of these two approaches — the Sequential Yale Lock, will be applied to the analysis and design of the latching system. A comparison of the approaches provides insight to the applicability of each of the approaches.