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At least 325 records · Page 18

Frequency response modeling and control of flexible structures: Computational methods

The dynamics of vibrations in flexible structures can be conventiently modeled in terms of frequency response models. For structural control such models capture the distributed parameter dynamics of the elastic structural response as an irrational transfer function. For most flexible structures arising in aerospace applications the irrational transfer functions which arise are of a special class of pseudo-meromorphic functions which have only a finite number of right half place poles. Computational algorithms are demonstrated for design of multiloop control laws for such models based on optimal Wiener-Hopf control of the frequency responses. The algorithms employ a sampled-data representation of irrational transfer functions which is particularly attractive for numerical computation. One key algorithm for the solution of the optimal control problem is the spectral factorization of an irrational transfer function. The basis for the spectral factorization algorithm is highlighted together with associated computational issues arising in optimal regulator design. Options for implementation of wide band vibration control for flexible structures based on the sampled-data frequency response models is also highlighted. A simple flexible structure control example is considered to demonstrate the combined frequency response modeling and control algorithms.

Bennett, William H.↗

Frequency domain laser velocimeter signal processor

A laser velocimeter frequency domain signal processor is described which utilizes smart instrumentation to configure itself to maximize measurement accuracy based on the determined characteristics of the input signals. The stystem provides the same measurement capabilities as the high-speed burst counter in instantaneous measurements of signal frequency, the same automatic gain control and automatic frequency control as the frequency tracker, and the same immunity to signal-to-noise derived errors as the photon correlator. Simulation results demonstrate measurement accuracies of better than 0.2 percent for signal frequencies up to 100 MHz.

Meyers, J. F.↗

Constrained sloshing of liquid mercury in a flexible spherical tank

The mercury propellant tank system developed for use with solar electric propulsion was studied to analytically determine the resonant frequencies of the tank system and compare them with the anticipated control natural frequency of the spacecraft. The system consisted of a stainless steel spherical shell and a hemispherical elastometric diaphragm. The major analytical tool used was the NASTRAN program. Six mathematical models were developed. Resonant frequencies for six harmonics were obtained for each of the six models considered. The results show that the lowest resonant frequency for the tank system is about an order of magnitude greater than the anticipated control frequency of the spacecraft.

Lestingi, J.↗

Constrained sloshing of liquid mercury in a flexible spherical tank

The mercury propellant tank system developed for use with solar electric propulsion was studied to analytically determine the resonant frequencies of the tank system and compare them with the anticipated control natural frequency of the spacecraft. The system consisted of a stainless steel spherical shell and a hemispherical elastomeric diaphram which separates the mercury propellant and the gaseous nitrogen pressurant. The major analytical tool used was the NASTRAN program. Six mathematical models, which represent various amounts of mercury in the tank system were developed. Resonant frequencies for six harmonics were obtained for each of the six models considered. The results show that the lowest resonant frequency for the tank system is about an order of magnitude greater than the anticipated control frequency of the spacecraft.

Lestingi, J.↗

Coupled rotor-fuselage vibration reduction with multiple frequency blade pitch control

A nonlinear coupled rotor/flexible fuselage analysis has been developed and used to study the effects of higher harmonic blade pitch control on the vibratory hub loads and fuselage acceleration levels. Previous results, obtained with this model have shown that conventional higher harmonic control (HHC) inputs aimed at hub shear reduction cause an increase in the fuselage accelerations and vice-versa. It was also found that for simultaneous reduction of hub shears and fuselage accelerations, a pitch input representing a combination of two higher harmonic components of different frequencies was needed. Subsequently, it was found that this input could not be implemented through a conventional swashplate. This paper corrects a mistake originally made in the representation of the multiple frequency pitch input and shows that such a pitch input can be only implemented in the rotating reference frame. A rigorous mathematical solution is found, for the pitch input in the rotating reference frame, which produces simultaneous reduction of hub shears and fuselage acceleration. New insight on vibration reduction in coupled rotor/fuselage systems is obtained from the sensitivity of hub shears to the frequency and amplitude of the open loop HHC signal in the rotating reference frame. Finally the role of fuselage flexibility in this class of problems is determined.

Papavassiliou, I.↗

Grid Forming Fast Frequency Response for PMSG-Based Wind Turbines

Electric power systems are undergoing a rapid transition from fuel-based generation using synchronous generators to renewable generation interfaced by power electronics. In this context, a key challenge is using renewable generation with limited controllability to contribute to power system stability. In this work, we investigate grid-forming control of permanent magnet synchronous generator (PMSG) wind turbines. The proposed control and curtailment strategy supports the entire spectrum of standard functions of grid-following (e.g. maximum power point tracking (MPPT) and grid-forming control (e.g., primary frequency control) without explicit mode switching. A detailed case study is used to compare the performance of the proposed control at operating points corresponding to MPPT and frequency control with standard grid-forming and grid-following controls. Further, the results demonstrate that (i) the proposed energy balancing grid forming control is self-synchronizing in MPPT mode, (ii) the (limited) energy storage and controllability of wind turbines can be adequately utilized to provide grid support, and (ii) the proposed control exhibits good performance under variable wind speeds and does not result in a significant increase of wind turbine fatigue loads.

17 WIND ENERGY↗

System identification and controller design using experimental frequency response data

Recent findings from modeling and controller design for the NASA-Marshall Single Structure Control Facility have raised questions regarding the ability of modern control design techniques and modern modeling techniques to deal effectively with the stringent modeling and control design requirements of Large Space Structure Control. A brief and general discussion is presented of the results of studies into the modeling and control issues performed under sponsorship of the NASA/ASEE Summer Faculty Fellowship Program. Several issues are addressed. The first is a study of a modeling technique based on least squares identification of individual transfer functions from measured frequency response data. The second is a study of multiobjective optimization techniques applied to the modeling, or system identification, problem. The third issue is a study into the question of whether multiobjective optimization approaches can be effectively used for control system design using only frequency response data, thereby bypassing the difficult modeling problem. The last issue studied involves the resolution of seeming discrepancies between predicted and measured control computer time delays in the Single Structure Control Facility.

Irwin, R. Dennis↗

Controlling the status of frequency-managed electric devices

Apparatus comprise control circuitry configured to control a line frequency of a microgrid by directing a first set of one or more electrical devices coupled to the microgrid to produce a change in the line frequency through a change in operation of the first set, such that a second set of one or more electrical devices coupled to the microgrid adjusts operation in response to a detected line frequency changeably produced by the first set. Related methods and additional apparatus and methods are disclosed. Apparatus and methods are disclosed that use line frequency and/or line voltage. Apparatus and methods are also disclosed that use control history.

Hammerstrom, Donald J.↗

Extracting maximal frequency response potential in controllable loads

Methods and apparatus are disclosed for extracting maximal frequency response potential in controllable loads. In one example, a method includes assigning a fitness metric to at least one electrical device coupled to a power grid, assigning a frequency threshold based on the fitness metric, and transmitting the assigned frequency threshold to the at least one electrical device. The fitness metric can be based at least in part on an availability component and a quality component associated with the at least one device and the frequency threshold can cause the at least one electrical device to activate autonomously based on a frequency of the power grid.

Lian, Jianming↗

The frequency content of the control input and airplane response obtained during service operations of fighter airplanes

The frequency content of the control input and resulting airplane motions is presented as power spectral densities for one operational flight of the fighter airplane (Republic F-84G). The frequency content, which is described by the shape of the spectrum, may be useful in providing inputs for the design of power control systems. For normal load factors, the results presented for the operational flight considered are in general agreement with the results of more complete data on three fighter airplanes (Republic F-84G, Republic F-84F, and North American F-86A) . The frequency content for the three control positions was similar and the frequency content for the three angular velocities was also similar when normalized by dividing the mean-square value.

Mayer, John P↗

Controls on the frequency content of near-source infrasound at open-vent volcanoes: a case study from Volcán Villarrica, Chile

Infrasound signals from open-vent volcanoes can contain information related to that volcano’s eruption dynamics and future activity. Studying a specific volcano’s acoustic signature during periods of relative quiescence is thus important for understanding potential warning signs of impending eruptions. Volcán Villarrica, located in southern Chile, has a long-lived active lava lake that produces continuous infrasound with spectral peaks centered around 1 Hz that vary by + / - ~ 0.2 Hz over day-to-week-long time scales. The infrasound frequency content has been shown to illuminate key volcanic properties such as eruption style and crater shape. Leading up to Villarrica’s most recent paroxysm in 2015, for instance, infrasound spectral changes coincided with a rise in Villarrica’s lava lake level. Quantifying and understanding the regular fluctuation in recorded infrasonic frequencies from Villarrica and other open-vent volcanoes is thus imperative during periods of relative calm. Our experiment entailed a week-long period of crater rim infrasound observations associated with stable, open-vent activity and revealed two independent source processes: spatter bursting events (relatively broadband infrasound) and lava lake-induced tremor (sustained signals peaked at 1 Hz). A comparison of these acoustic signals with results from 3-D finite-difference time-domain wave propagation models shows that while sound speed variability can influence Villarrica’s spectrum, it cannot explain the full extent of the observed frequency excursions. We conclude that source spectrum variability is primarily responsible for the frequency excursions. In conclusion, our work highlights the utility of data collected from a dense distribution of twenty infrasound sensors operating at the summit coupled with numerical modeling of sound radiation.

58 GEOSCIENCES↗