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At least 613 records · Page 34

Multibody for Everybody (M4E) - A Linearization Approach to Enable Frequency Domain Analysis, Time Integration and Control Co-Design

1.1 Background/Objectives: Marine energy represents a promising yet underexploited source of power. To increase the harvested power, significant efforts have been made to improve wave energy converter (WEC) modeling capabilities and optimize power take-off (PTO) performance; however, these efforts have often treated WEC dynamics, PTO design, and controller development sequentially. In contrast, control co-design (CCD) is emerging as a promising strategy to address these issues directly, creating a growing need for fast analysis tools suitable for repeated simulation and parametric studies [1]. To support this need, this work presents the Multibody for Everybody (M4E) [2] linearization module, which employs a symbolic toolbox to provide deeper insight of WEC design parameters. The objective is to demonstrate that a minimal-coordinate linearization of articulated WEC dynamics can provide accurate wave response predictions and substantial computational savings relative to nonlinear time-domain simulation, while preserving compatibility with broader wave-energy analysis workflows, enabling CCD. 1.2 Approach/Activities: The proposed approach linearizes the equations of motion, generated by M4E, in minimal coordinates about a selected operating point and combines the resulting system with frequencydomain hydrodynamic terms to incorporate the reduced mass, damping, stiffness, and forcing operators. The linearized model is used for both impedance-based response amplitude operator (RAO) prediction and rapid regular-wave time integration. The methodology is demonstrated on a single-flap device and a FOSWEC configuration, with linearized M4E responses compared against the corresponding nonlinear M4E simulations and WEC-Sim results. Regular-wave time histories, RAO trends, and runtime differences are assessed. The framework is also compatible with broader wave-energy workflows, including coupling to WecOptTool, although that capability is not the focus of this work [3]. 1.3 Results/Lessons: The linearized M4E model reproduces key regularwave response characteristics such as integration and Response Amplitude over multiple frequencies. This module matches nonlinear M4E and WEC-Sim results while substantially reducing integration cost. Thus, the proposed framework can serve as a rapid analysis layer for articulated WEC design, parameter studies, and controls-oriented workflows. The analysis is most appropriate in the near-equilibrium regime, about the linearization point.

16 TIDAL AND WAVE POWER↗

Simulator evaluation of system identification with on-line control law update for the controls and astrophysics experiment in space

A procedure for optimizing the performance of large flexible spacecraft that require active vibration suppression to achieve required performance is presented. The procedure is to conduct on-orbit testing and system identification followed by a control system design. It is applied via simulation to a spacecraft configuration currently being considered for flight test by NASA - the Controls, Astrophysics, and Structures Experiment in Space (CASES). The system simulator is based on a NASTRAN finite element structural model. A finite number of modes is used to represent the structural dynamics. The system simulator also includes models of the electronics, actuators, sensors, the digital controller, and the internal and external disturbances. Nonlinearities caused by quantization are included in the study to examine tolerance of the procedure to modelling errors. Disturbance and sensor noise is modelled as a Gaussian process. For system identification, the system is excited using sinusoidal inputs at the resonant frequencies of the structure using each actuator. Mode shapes, frequencies, and damping ratios are identified from the unforced response sensor data after each excitation. Then, the excitation data is used to identify the actuator influence coefficients. The results of the individual parameter identification analyses are assembled into an aggregate system model. The control design is accomplished based only on the identified model using multi-input/output linear quadratic Gaussian theory. Its performance is evaluated based on time-to-damp as compared with the uncontrolled structure.

Montgomery, Raymond C.↗

Robust Crossfeed Design for Hovering Rotorcraft

Control law design for rotorcraft fly-by-wire systems normally attempts to decouple angular responses using fixed-gain crossfeeds. This approach can lead to poor decoupling over the frequency range of pilot inputs and increase the load on the feedback loops. In order to improve the decoupling performance, dynamic crossfeeds may be adopted. Moreover, because of the large changes that occur in rotorcraft dynamics due to small changes about the nominal design condition, especially for near-hovering flight, the crossfeed design must be 'robust'. A new low-order matching method is presented here to design robust crossfeed compensators for multi-input, multi-output (MIMO) systems. The technique identifies degrees-of-freedom that can be decoupled using crossfeeds, given an anticipated set of parameter variations for the range of flight conditions of concern. Cross-coupling is then reduced for degrees-of-freedom that can use crossfeed compensation by minimizing off-axis response magnitude average and variance. Results are presented for the analysis of pitch, roll, yaw and heave coupling of the UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter in near-hovering flight. Robust crossfeeds are designed that show significant improvement in decoupling performance and robustness over nominal, single design point, compensators. The design method and results are presented in an easily used graphical format that lends significant physical insight to the design procedure. This plant pre-compensation technique is an appropriate preliminary step to the design of robust feedback control laws for rotorcraft.

Catapang, David R.↗

Robust crossfeed design for hovering rotorcraft

Control law design for rotorcraft fly-by-wire systems normally attempts to decouple angular responses using fixed-gain crossfeeds. This approach can lead to poor decoupling over the frequency range of pilot inputs and increase the load on the feedback loops. In order to improve the decoupling performance, dynamic crossfeeds may be adopted. Moreover, because of the large changes that occur in rotorcraft dynamics due to small changes about the nominal design condition, especially for near-hovering flight, the crossfeed design must be 'robust.' A new low-order matching method is presented here to design robost crossfeed compensators for multi-input, multi-output (MIMO) systems. The technique identifies degrees-of-freedom that can be decoupled using crossfeeds, given an anticipated set of parameter variations for the range of flight conditions of concern. Cross-coupling is then reduced for degrees-of-freedom that can use crossfeed compensation by minimizing off-axis response magnitude average and variance. Results are presented for the analysis of pitch, roll, yaw, and heave coupling of the UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter in near-hovering flight. Robust crossfeeds are designed that show significant improvement in decoupling performance and robustness over nominal, single design point, compensators. The design method and results are presented in an easily-used graphical format that lends significant physical insight to the design procedure. This plant pre-compensation technique is an appropriate preliminary step to the design of robust feedback control laws for rotorcraft.

Catapang, David R.↗

Comprehensive analysis of bearingless rotors - Model development and experimental correlation of modes, response, trim and stability

A generic mathematical model that is capable of accurately modeling the multiple load path bearingless rotor blade is developed. A comprehensive, finite element based solution for the natural vibration of the rotor blade is developed. An iterative scheme based on harmonic balance is used to evaluate the nonlinear response of the rotor to control inputs and a Newton-Raphson procedure is employed to evaluate the trim of rotorcraft. Linearized perturbation model of the nonlinear system are presented. The model is validated by comparing with existing whirl tower, wind tunnel and flight test results of BMR/BO-105 helicopter. Frequencies of two bearingless rotor blades compare well with results from experiments. Nonlinear response and trim results are presented for the bearingless BMR/BO-105 rotor. Aeroelastic stability in forward flight, evaluated using floquet theory agrees with test data in general.

Jambunathan, V.↗

An analytical pilot rating method for highly elastic aircraft

An analytical method was developed to predict pilot ratings for highly elastic aircraft subject to severe mode interactions between rigid body and elastic dynamics. An extension of the standard optimal control model of pilot response was made to include the hypothesis that the pilot controls the system with an internal model consisting of the slowly varying part of the aircraft dynamics. This modified optimal control model was analytically evaluated for a longitudinal pitch tracking task on a large flexible aircraft. Parametric variations in the undamped natural frequencies of two symmetric elastic modes were made to induce varying amounts of mode interaction. The model proved successful in discriminating when the pilot can or cannot visually separate rigid from elastic pitch response in the turbulence excited tracking task. This method shows considerable promise in making it possible to investigate such mode interaction effects on handling qualities in the preliminary design stage of new aircraft.

Swaim, R. L.↗

Ultrabroadband THz conductivity of gated graphene in- and out-of-equilibrium

We employ ultrabroadband terahertz (THz) spectroscopy to expose the high-frequency transport properties of Dirac fermions in monolayer graphene. By controlling the carrier concentration via tunable electrical gating, both equilibrium and transient optical conductivities are obtained for a range of Fermi levels. The frequency-dependent equilibrium response is determined through a combination of time-domain THz and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy for energies up to the near-infrared, which also provides a measure of the gate-voltage dependent Fermi level. Transient changes in the real and imaginary parts of the graphene conductivity are electro-optically resolved for frequencies up to 15 THz after near-infrared femtosecond excitation, both at the charge-neutral point and for higher electrostatic-doping levels. Modeling of the THz response provides insight into changes of the carrier spectral weights and scattering rates, and reveals an additional broad-frequency ($$\approx$$ 8 THz) component to the photo-induced response, which we attribute to the zero-momentum mode of quantum-critical transport observed here in large-area CVD graphene.

Coslovich, G↗

RAFT (Response Amplitudes of Floating Turbines) [SWR-22-40]

RAFT is a Python code for frequency-domain analysis of floating wind turbines. RAFT works in the frequency domain to provide efficient computations of a floating wind system's response spectra accounting for platform hydrodynamics, quasi-static mooring reactions, rotor aerodynamics, and linearized control. It can be used to calculate response amplitude operators (RAO's), power spectral densities, mean/static properties, and response metrics based on mean and root-mean-square values of each output. RAFT serves as the Level 1 model in the WEIS (Wind Energy with Integrated Servo-control) toolkit, and features an OpenMDAO wrapper.

Hall, Matthew↗

Twist-engineered phonon polaritons in α − V 2 O 5

The advent of layered materials has unveiled new opportunities for tailoring electromagnetic waves at the subwavelength scale, particularly through the study of polaritons, a hybrid light–matter excitation. In this context, twist-optics, which investigates the optical properties of twisted stacks of van der Waals (vdW) layered specimens, has emerged as a powerful tool. Here, we explore the tunability of phonon polaritons in α-V 2 O 5 via interlayer twisting using scanning nano-infrared (IR) imaging. We show that the polaritonic response can be finely adjusted by varying their interlayer electromagnetic coupling, allowing for precise control over the propagation direction and phase transition from open unidirectional iso-frequency contours to closed elliptic geometries. Furthermore, our experimental results, in conjugate with theoretical modeling, reveal the mechanisms underpinning this tunability, highlighting the role of twist-induced nano-light modifications for advanced nanophotonic control at the nanoscale.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗

Doppler compensation by shifting transmitted object frequency within limits

A system and method are disclosed for position locating, deriving centralized air traffic control data, and communicating via voice and digital signals between a multiplicity of remote aircraft, including supersonic transports, and a central station. Such communication takes place through a synchronous satellite relay station. Side tone ranging patterns, as well as the digital and voice signals, are modulated on a carrier transmitted from the central station and received on all of the supersonic transports. Each aircraft communicates with the ground stations via a different frequency multiplexed spectrum. Supersonic transport position is derived from a computer at the central station and supplied to a local air traffic controller. Position is determined in response to variable phase information imposed on the side tones at the aircrafts. Common to all of the side tone techniques is Doppler compensation for the supersonic transport velocity.

Laughlin, C. R., Jr.↗

SPS pilot signal design and power transponder analysis, volume 2, phase 3

The problem of pilot signal parameter optimization and the related problem of power transponder performance analysis for the Solar Power Satellite reference phase control system are addressed. Signal and interference models were established to enable specifications of the front end filters including both the notch filter and the antenna frequency response. A simulation program package was developed to be included in SOLARSIM to perform tradeoffs of system parameters based on minimizing the phase error for the pilot phase extraction. An analytical model that characterizes the overall power transponder operation was developed. From this model, the effects of different phase noise disturbance sources that contribute to phase variations at the output of the power transponders were studied and quantified. Results indicate that it is feasible to hold the antenna array phase error to less than one degree per power module for the type of disturbances modeled.

Lindsey, W. C.↗

PACOSS program overview and status

Many future civilian and military large space structures (LSS) will have as performance objectives stringent pointing accuracies, short settling times, relatively fast response requirements, or combinations thereof. Many of these structures will be large, light weight, and will exhibit high structural modal density at low frequency and within the control bandwidth. Although it is possible in principle to achieve structural vibration control through purely active means, experience with complex structures has shown that the realities of plant model inaccuracies and sensor/actuator dynamics frequently combine to produce substandard performance. A more desirable approach is to apply passive damping technology to reduce the active control burden. Development of the technology to apply this strategy is the objective of the PACOSS (Passive and Active Control OF Space Structures) program. A key element in the PACOSS program is the Representative System Article (RSA). The RSA is a generic paper system that serves as a testbed for damping and controls studies. It also serves as a basis for design of the smaller Dynamic Test Article (DTA), a hardware testbed for the laboratory validation of analysis and design practices developed under PACOSS.

Rogers, L. C.↗

Identification of XV-15 aeroelastic modes using frequency sweeps

The XV-15 tilt-rotor wing has six major aeroelastic modes that are close in frequency. To precisely excite individual modes during flight test, dual flaperon exciters with automatic frequency-sweep controls were installed. The resulting structural data were analyzed in the frequency domain (Fourier-transformed). Modal frequencies and damping were determined by performing curve fits to frequency-response magnitude and phase data. Results are given for the XV-15 with its original metal rotor blades. Frequency and damping values are also compared with predictions by two different programs, CAMRAD and ASAP.

Acree, C. W., Jr.↗

Active control of tiltrotor blade in-plane loads during maneuvers

The origin of one/rev rotor aerodynamic loads which arise in tiltrotor aircraft during airplane-mode high speed pull-up and push-over maneuvers is examined using a coupled rotor/fuselage dynamic simulation. A modified eigenstructure assignment technique is used to design a controller which alleviates the in-plane loads during high pitch rate maneuvers. The controller utilizes rotor cyclic pitch inputs to restructure the aircraft short period and phugoid responses in order to achieve the coupling between pitch rate and rotor flapping responses which minimizes the rotor aerodynamic loading. Realistic time delays in the feedback path are considered during the controller design. Stability robustness in the presence of high frequency modeling errors is ensured through the use of singular value analysis.

Miller, David G.↗

Advanced communications technology satellite high burst rate link evaluation terminal communication protocol software user's guide, version 1.0

The Communication Protocol Software was developed at the NASA Lewis Research Center to support the Advanced Communications Technology Satellite High Burst Rate Link Evaluation Terminal (ACTS HBR-LET). The HBR-LET is an experimenters terminal to communicate with the ACTS for various experiments by government, university, and industry agencies. The Communication Protocol Software is one segment of the Control and Performance Monitor (C&PM) Software system of the HBR-LET. The Communication Protocol Software allows users to control and configure the Intermediate Frequency Switch Matrix (IFSM) on board the ACTS to yield a desired path through the spacecraft payload. Besides IFSM control, the C&PM Software System is also responsible for instrument control during HBR-LET experiments, uplink power control of the HBR-LET to demonstrate power augmentation during signal fade events, and data display. The Communication Protocol Software User's Guide, Version 1.0 (NASA CR-189162) outlines the commands and procedures to install and operate the Communication Protocol Software. Configuration files used to control the IFSM, operator commands, and error recovery procedures are discussed. The Communication Protocol Software Maintenance Manual, Version 1.0 (NASA CR-189163, to be published) is a programmer's guide to the Communication Protocol Software. This manual details the current implementation of the software from a technical perspective. Included is an overview of the Communication Protocol Software, computer algorithms, format representations, and computer hardware configuration. The Communication Protocol Software Test Plan (NASA CR-189164, to be published) provides a step-by-step procedure to verify the operation of the software. Included in the Test Plan is command transmission, telemetry reception, error detection, and error recovery procedures.

Reinhart, Richard C.↗

Identification of 15-15 Aeroelastic Modes using Frequency-Domain Methods

The XV-15 Tilt-Rotor wing has six major aeroelastic modes that are close in frequency. To precisely excite individual modes during flight test, dual flaperon exciters with automatic frequency-sweep controls were installed. The resulting structural data were analyzed in the frequency domain (Fourier-transformed). Modal frequencies and damping were determined by performing curve fits to frequency-response magnitude and phase data. Results are given for the XV-15 with its original metal rotor blades. Frequency and damping values are also compared with new predictions by two different programs, CAMRAD and ASAP.

Acree, C. W., Jr.↗