Omnidirectional antennas and solar panels can be supported by a thin-walled tubular strut. Silicon grease is used as the vibration-damping medium and a coil spring supports static loads

Layman, W. E.

English

NASA Technical Reports Server

May 1965	 Brief 65-10144 
NASA TECH BRIEF 
-it 
NASA Tech Briefs are issued by the Technology Utilization Division to summarize specific 
technical innovations derived from the space program. Copies are available to the public from 
the Clearinghouse for Federal Scientific and Technical Information, Springfield, Virginia, 22151. 
Lightweight Load Support Serves as Vibration Damper 
Load 
Silicone-Grease Coating 
•	 :i	 I-••:;
Vent Hole 
The problem: Designing a tall compact support 
structure for omnidirectional antennas and solar 
panels. The structure must not interfere with a 
high-gain-antenna pattern and must be capable of 
damping mechanical vibrations in the supported load. 
Ordinary air-dashpot-damping cannot be used be-
cause the device must function in a vacuum environ-
ment. 
The solution: A thin-walled tubular support strut 
employing the viscous drag of a silicone grease to 
effect damping and a coil spring to support the static 
loads imposed on the strut. 
How it's done: The damping support consists of 
two thin-walled aluminum tubes, one of which can
it exhibits a much smaller variation in damping co-
efficient with temperature than ordinary hydrocarbon 
greases. 
Note: 
Inquiries concerning this innovation may be di-
rected to:
Technology Utilization Officer 
Jet Propulsion Laboratory 
4800 Oak Grove Drive 
Pasadena, California, 91103 
Reference: B65-10144 
Patent status: NASA encourages commercial use 
of this innovation. No patent action is contemplated. 
slide within the other under vibration loads. Silicone 	 Source: W.E. Layman 
grease is used as the vibration-damping medium as
	
	
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Lightweight load support serves as vibration damper

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