Engineering topics

Polites, Michael E.

Publications and source records attributed to Polites, Michael E..

At least 19 records

NASA NTRS2004

Autonomous Component Health Management with Failed Component Detection, Identification, and Avoidance

This paper details a novel scheme for autonomous component health management (ACHM) with failed actuator detection and failed sensor detection, identification, and avoidance. This new scheme has features that far exceed the performance of systems with triple-redundant sensing and voting, yet requires fewer sensors and could be applied to any system with redundant sensing. Relevant background to the ACHM scheme is provided, and the simulation results for the application of that scheme to a single-axis spacecraft attitude control system with a 3rd order plant and dual-redundant measurement of system states are presented. ACHM fulfills key functions needed by an integrated vehicle health monitoring (IVHM) system. It is: autonomous; adaptive; works in realtime; provides optimal state estimation; identifies failed components; avoids failed components; reconfigures for multiple failures; reconfigures for intermittent failures; works for hard-over, soft, and zero-output failures; and works for both open- and closed-loop systems. The ACHM scheme combines a prefilter that generates preliminary state estimates, detects and identifies failed sensors and actuators, and avoids the use of failed sensors in state estimation with a fixed-gain Kalman filter that generates optimal state estimates and provides model-based state estimates that comprise an integral part of the failure detection logic. The results show that ACHM successfully isolates multiple persistent and intermittent hard-over, soft, and zero-output failures. It is now ready to be tested on a computer model of an actual system.

Davis, Robert N.↗

NASA NTRS2001

Recent Events in Guidance, Navigation and Control

This article summarizes recent events in Guidance, Navigation, and Control (GN&C) in space, weapons and missiles, and aircraft. The section on space includes recent developments with the following NASA spacecraft and space vehicles: Near Earth Asteroid Rendezvous, Deep Space 1, Microwave Anisotropy Probe, Earth Observer-1, Compton Gamma Ray Observatory, the International Space Station, X-38, and X-40A. The section on weapons and missiles includes recent developments with the following missiles: Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile, Storm Shadow/Scalp EG precision standoff missile, Hellfire missile, AIM-120C Advanced medium-range air-to-air missile, Derby missile, Arrow 2, and the Standard Missile SM-3. The section on aircraft includes recent developments with the following aircraft: Joint Strike Fighter, X-31, V-22, Couger/SUDer Puma Mk. 2, Predator B 001, and the Unmanned Combat Air Vehicle.

Polites, Michael E.↗

NASA NTRS2000

2000 Digital Avionics Highlights

This article summarizes the highlights of recent events and developments in digital avionics in commercial aviation, military systems, and space. This article is about 1,200 words long. Information for the article was collected from other NASA centers, DoD, and industry. All information was previously cleared by the originating organizations. Information for the article was also gathered from Aviation Week and Space Technology and similar sources.

Polites, Michael E.↗

NASA NTRS2000

2000 Guidance, Navigation, and Control Highlights

This article summarizes the highlights of recent events and developments in guidance, navigation, and control in space, aircraft, and weapons. This article is about 1,200 words long. Information for the article was collected from other NASA centers, DoD, and industry. All information was previously cleared by the originating organizations. Information for the article was also gathered from Aviation Week and Space Technology, Space News, and similar sources.

Polites, Michael E.↗

NASA NTRS1999

1999 Digital Avionics Highlights

This article summarizes the highlights of recent events and developments in guidance, navigation, and control in space, aircraft, and weapons. This article is about 1,200 words long. Information for the article was collected from other NASA Centers, DoD, and industry. All information was previously cleared by the originating organizations. Information for the article was also gathered from Aviation Week and Space Technology, and similar sources.

Polites, Michael E.↗

NASA NTRS1999

1999 Guidance, Navigation, and Control Highlights

This article summarizes the highlights of recent events and developments in guidance, navigation, and control in space, aircraft, and weapons. This article is about 1,200 words long. Information for the article was collected from other NASA Centers, DoD, and industry. All information was previously cleared by the originating organizations. Information for the article was also gathered from Aviation Week and Space Technology, Space News, and similar sources.

Polites, Michael E.↗

NASA NTRS1999

Recent Events in Guidance, Navigation, and Control Highlights

This article summarizes the highlights of recent events and developments in guidance, navigation, and control in space, aircraft, and weapons. This article is about 3,600 words long. Information for the article was collected from other NASA Centers, DoD, and industry. All information was previously cleared by the originating organizations. Information for the article was also gathered from Aviation Week and Space Technology, Space News, and similar sources.

Polites, Michael E.↗

NASA NTRS1998

1998 Digital Avionics Highlights

This article summarizes the highlights of recent events and developments in digital avionics in space, aircraft, and weapons. The article is about 1,200 words long. Information for the article was collected from members of the Digital Avionics Technical Committee of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics. This information was previously cleared by the members' parent organization. Information for the article was also gathered from Aviation Week and Space Technology and similar sources.

Polites, Michael E.↗

NASA NTRS1998

Automated Rendezvous and Capture in Space: A Technology Assessment

This paper presents the results of a study to assess the technology of automated rendezvous and capture (AR&C) in space. The outline of the paper is as follows: First, the history of manual and automated rendezvous and capture and rendezvous and dock is presented. Next, the need for AR&C in space is reviewed. In light of these, AR&C systems are proposed that meet NASA's future needs, but can be developed in a reasonable amount of time with a reasonable amount of money. Technology plans for developing these systems are presented; cost and schedule are included.

Polites, Michael E.↗

NASA NTRS1998

1998 Guidance, Navigation, and Control Highlights

This article summarizes the highlights of recent events and developments in guidance, navigation, and control in space, aircraft, and weapons. The article is about 1,200 words long. Information for the article was collected from other NASA Centers, DoD, and industry. All information collected was previously cleared by the originating organizations. Information for the article was also gathered from Aviation Week and Space Technolo2y, Space News, and similar sources.

Polites, Michael E.↗

NASA NTRS1998

Recent Events in Guidance, Navigation, and Control

This article summarizes the highlights of recent events and developments in guidance, navigation, and control in space, aircraft, and weapons. Information for the article was collected from other NASA Centers, DoD, and industry. All information collected was previously cleared by the originating organizations. Information for the article was also gathered from Aviation Week and Space Technology, Space News, and similar sources.

Polites, Michael E.↗

NASA NTRS1996

Means for Positioning and Repositioning Scanning Instruments

A method is presented for positioning a scanning instrument to point toward the center of the desired scan wherein the scan is achieved by rotating unbalanced masses (RUMs) rotating about fixed axes of rotation relative to and associated with the instrument, the RUMs being supported on drive shafts spaced from the center of the mass of the instrument and rotating 180 degrees out-of-phase with each other and in planes parallel to each other to achieve the scan. The elevation and cross-elevation angles of the instrument are sensed to determine any offset and offset time rate-of-change, and the magnitude and direction are converted to a RUM cycle angular velocity component to be superimposed on the nominal velocity of the RUMs. This RUM angular velocity component modulates the RUM angular velocity to cause the speed of the RUMs to increase and decrease during each revolution to drive the instrument toward the desired center of the scan.

Polites, Michael E.↗

NASA NTRS1996

Experimental Study Of Rotating Unbalanced-Mass Actuators

Report discusses theory of rotating unbalanced-mass (RUM) actuators and describes experiments to test concept of using RUM actuators for mechanical scanning of scientific instruments in linear, circular, or raster patterns.

Alhorn, Dean C.↗

NASA NTRS1996

Pointing and Scanning Control of Optical Instruments using Rotating Unbalanced Masses

Correct pointing direction and scanning motions are essential in the operation of many flight payloads, such as balloon-borne telescopes and space-based X- ray and gamma-ray telescopes. Rotating unbalanced mass (RUM) devices have been recently proposed, implemented and successfully tested to produce a variety of scanning motions. Linear scans, raster scans, and circular scans have been successfully generated on a gimbaled payload using pairs of RUM devices. Theoretical analysis, computer simulations, and experiments have also been used to study the feasibility of using RUM devices to control instrument pointing direction, in addition to generating scanning motion. Dynamic modeling of a gimbaled payload equipped with a pair of RUM devices has been studied, and preliminary testing indicates that the pointing control is indeed feasible. However, there is also great potential for significant performance improvements through more advanced control system analysis, modeling and design. In this paper, modeling and control methods are described to achieve simultaneous scanning and pointing control of a gimbaled payload using rotating unbalance mass (RUM) devices. The model development work builds upon the results of Polites et al. and also some modeling approaches from robotics research. Results of some preliminary experiments are discussed and some nonlinear control methods will be proposed.

Bishop, Carlee A.↗

NASA NTRS1995

Tuneable Auxiliary Control Mechanisms For RUM Actuators

Tuneable auxiliary control mechanisms for rotating unbalanced-mass (RUM) actuators used to maximize scan amplitudes and/or minimize power consumption during changing conditions. This type of mechanism more sophisticated version of type of mechanism described in "Auxiliary Control Mechanisms for RUM Actuators" (MFS-28817). Torsional stiffness of torsionally flexible coupling made adjustable on command. Torsionally flexible coupling in tuneable version of auxiliary control mechanism adjustable by use of stepping-motor-driven worm-gear mechanism that varies bending length of flexible blade.

Polites, Michael E.↗

NASA NTRS1995

Variable stiffness torsion springs

In a torsion spring the spring action is a result of the relationships between the torque applied in twisting the spring, the angle through which the torsion spring twists, and the modulus of elasticity of the spring material in shear. Torsion springs employed industrially have been strips, rods, or bars, generally termed shafts, capabable of being flexed by twisting their axes. They rely on the variations in shearing forces to furnish an internal restoring torque. In the torsion springs herein the restoring torque is external and therefore independent of the shearing modulus of elasticity of the torsion spring shaft. Also provided herein is a variable stiffness torsion spring. This torsion spring can be so adjusted as to have a given spring constant. Such variable stiffness torsion springs are extremely useful in gimballed payloads such as sensors, telescopes, and electronic devices on such platforms as a space shuttle or a space station.

Alhorn, Dean C.↗

NASA NTRS1995

Auxiliary Control Mechanisms For RUM Actuators

RUM actuator proposed device mounted on gimbaled, pivoted, or freely floating instrument and used to make instrument oscillate about one or more axes. Includes one or more (typically, two) unbalanced masses (e.g., lump masses on arms) for each axis about which oscillation desired. Unbalanced masses driven to rotate at constant angular velocity to produce oscillating centrifugal forces, which, in turn, exerts cyclic torques that make instrument oscillate about desired axis. Used in both terrestrial and spacecraft applications: for example, to oscillate instruments as diverse as x-ray telescopes, magnetometers, accelerometers, and agricultural spraying nozzles in variety of scan patterns that include linear, circular, and raster. Weights, power demands, and costs reduced.

Polites, Michael E.↗

NASA NTRS1995

Rotating Unbalanced-Mass Devices for Scanning: Proof-of-Concept Test Results

This experiment proves the concept of line-of-sight scanning space-based and balloon-borne instruments and telescopes with rotating unbalanced-mss (RUM) devices. Extending the concept to free-flying spacecraft is straightforward. When line-of-sight scanning is required, but optical or electronic line-of-sight scanning is impossible, then scanning with RUM devices can offer huge power and mass savings, better system reliability and stability, and improved scan accuracy. This is especially true with large instruments and telescopes scanning at high frequencies.

Alhorn, Dean C.↗