Coupled Micro-vibrations Analysis of a Reaction Wheel Assembly with Flexible Structure

This paper investigates the coupled micro-vibrations between a reaction wheel assembly (RWA) and a flexible structure. Firstly, the Lagrange's energy method is employed to develop vibration equation of the RWA. The RWA model is described by twelve-dof linear differential equation with gyroscopic term. Secondly, based on the established vibration equation, disturbance model of the RWA with a discrete flexible structure is obtained. This disturbance model is simulated and discussed by taking a six-dof system as the study object. Thirdly, a frequency domain substructure method (FDSM) is used to calculate coupled disturbance response of the RWA with a continuous flexible structure, which is designed as analog of the satellite flexible installation interface. The dynamic response is validated by numerical and finite element simulations. The coupled disturbance analysis method involved in this project will provide a theoretical basis for prediction of the coupled disturbance of RWA with satellite flexible interface.