Structure Synthesis and Optimization of Feed Support Mechanisms for a Deployable Parabolic Antenna

In this paper, a systematic method to synthesize parallel mechanisms for feed support mechanisms based on screw theory is proposed. First, the motion requirement of the feed support mechanism is studied. Then, a class of parallel mechanisms having a translational motion with different degrees of freedom is synthesized based on the constraint-synthesis method. Then, these parallel mechanisms are modified based on the specificities of deployable mechanisms, and two kinds of mechanisms are selected as the unit for the feed support mechanism. Finally, the deployment ratio of two kinds of mechanisms is optimized. The configurations obtained in this paper can enrich the types of feed support mechanisms.