High-power filters with novel temperature-compensation techniques and multi-domain topological co-design

在日益互联的世界中，卫星技术至关重要。将这些卫星发射到太空的成本与其重量直接相关，因此必须尽可能减轻每个部件的重量。在设计用于将输入信号分离为不同频率的微波滤波器时，这一点尤其重要。由于每个卫星都包含许多滤波器，因此减轻它们的重量会产生很大的影响。 目前，需要庞大且沉重的支撑结构来防止这些滤波器由于空间中的波动温度而引起的热膨胀和频率漂移。在其制造中使用常规机械加工。然而，该项目提出使用增材制造来制造过滤器和热膨胀补偿机构。这将允许过滤器以净形状能力制造，减少对后处理和额外加工的要求。正在研究的温度补偿机制是使用具有拉胀特性的结构构建在滤波器的谐振腔内。这些材料在拉伸时会在垂直于力的方向上膨胀，而不是收缩，这意味着它们可以提供可定制的属性和拓扑结构。由于其晶格结构，它们也比目前卫星中使用的支撑结构轻得多。为了完成这个项目，需要在几个领域内完成模拟和测试。拉胀结构的拓扑设计是重要的，以及了解过滤器的机械，热和电磁行为。

In an increasingly connected world, satellite technology is crucial. The cost of the launch of these satellites into space is directly linked to their weight, so it is necessary to reduce the weight of each component as much as possible. This is especially important to consider when designing microwave filters, which are used to separate incoming signals into different frequencies. As each satellite contains many filters, reducing their weight can have a large impact. Currently, bulky and heavy support structures are needed to prevent thermal expansion and frequency drift of these filters due to fluctuating temperatures in space. Conventional machining is used in their manufacture. However, this project proposes the use of additive manufacturing for the manufacture of both the filter and thermal expansion compensation mechanism. This would allow the filter to be made in a net shape capacity, with reduced requirement for post-processing and extra machining. The temperature compensation mechanism being investigated is the use of a structure with auxetic properties being built within the resonant cavity of the filter. These materials expand in the direction perpendicular to the force when pulled, rather than shrinking, meaning that they can provide tailorable properties and topology. Due to their lattice structure, they are also considerably lighter than the current support structures used in satellites today. Simulation and testing will need to be completed within several domains in order to complete this project. Topological design of the auxetic structure is important, as well as understanding the mechanical, thermal and electromagnetic behaviour of the filter.