Dynamics analysis of a rigid-flexible-liquid coupled satellite antenna system via absolute nodal coordinate formulation curvature continuity constraints

Typically, Euler and Lagrangian approaches are primarily used in fluid dynamics and multibody system (MBS) dynamics models, respectively. Absolute nodal coordinate formulation (ANCF), as a Lagrangian nonlinear finite element method (FEM), can effectively handle large deformation problems and incorporate the arbitrary Lagrange-Eulerian (ALE) method for fluids turbulence and breaking. Therefore, we have established a rigid-flexible-liquid coupled satellite antenna system dynamics model via ANCF. Navier-Stokes equations and virtual work principle are applied to formulate the fluid-structure interaction (FSI) dynamics equations. A penalty function is used to describe liquid incompressibility. Bi-directional FSI effects are solved simultaneously and brick fluid element elastic force is validated with reference experiments. Moreover, we introduce curvature continuity constraints to make the liquid free surface continuous. Results indicate that curvature continuity constraints can smoother liquid free surface and eliminate the protrusions and depressions caused by assembling brick fluid elements. Furthermore, we achieve simulation results consistent with reference experiments by using fewer elements with curvature continuity constraints. In addition, due to bi-directional FSI effects, liquid sloshing will magnify satellite antenna vibrations and simultaneously oscillate the advancing tank.