Rowell, Derek | Engineering Papers

NASA NTRS1991

Approach to control moment gyroscope steering using feedback linearization

This paper presents an approach for controlling spacecraft equipped with control moment gyroscopes. A technique from feedback linearization theory is used to transform the original nonlinear problem to an equivalent linear form without approximating assumptions. In this form, the spacecraft dynamics appear linearly, and are decoupled from redundancy in the system of gyroscopes. A general approach to distributing control effort among the available actuators is described which includes provisions for redistribution of rotors, explicit bounds in gimbal rates, and guaranteed operation at or near singular configurations. A particular algorithm is developed for systems of double-gimbal devices, and demonstrated in two examples for which existing approaches fail to give adequate performance.

Dzielski, John↗

NASA NTRS1990

Steering law design for redundant single-gimbal control moment gyroscopes

Two steering laws are presented for single-gimbal control moment gyroscopes. An approach using the Moore-Penrose pseudoinverse with a nondirectional null-motion algorithm is shown by example to avoid internal singularities for unidirectional torque commands, for which existing algorithms fail. Because this is still a tangent-based approach, however, singularity avoidance cannot be guaranteed. The singularity robust inverse is introduced as an alternative to the pseudoinverse for computing torque-producing gimbal rates near singular states. This approach, coupled with the nondirectional null algorithm, is shown by example to provide better steering law performance by allowing torque errors to be produced in the vicinity of singular states.

Bedrossian, Nazareth S.↗

NASA NTRS1990

Redundant single gimbal control moment gyroscope singularity analysis

The robotic manipulator is proposed as the mechanical analog to single gimbal control moment gyroscope systems, and it is shown that both systems share similar difficulties with singular configurations. This analogy is used to group gimbal angles corresponding to any momentum state into different families. The singularity problem associated with these systems is examined in detail. In particular, a method is presented to test for the possibility of nontorque-producing gimbal motion at a singular configuration, as well as to determine the admissible motions in the case when this is possible. Sufficient conditions are derived for instances where the singular system can be reconfigured into a nonsingular state by these nontorque-producing motions.

Bedrossian, Nazareth S.↗

NASA NTRS1988

An approach to CMG steering using feedback linearization

This paper presents an approach for controlling spacecraft equipped with control moment gyroscopes. A technique from feedback linearization theory is used to transform the original nonlinear problem to an equivalent linear form without approximating assumptions. In this form, the spacecraft dynamics appear linearly, and are decoupled from redundancy in the system of gyroscopes. A general approach to distributing control effort among the available actuators is described which includes provisions for redistribution of rotors, explicit bounds in gimbal rates, and guaranteed operation at or near singular configurations. A particular algorithm is developed for systems of double-gimbal devices, and demonstrated in two examples for which existing approaches fail to give adequate performance.

Dzielski, John↗