Engineering Papers⌕ Search

SEARCH · Engineering Papers

Results for “damping controller”

Search indexed NASA NTRS and DOE OSTI research on propulsion, heat transfer, battery materials and energy systems. Follow report and document links to the original sources.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 721 records · Page 40
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1959

Investigation of Low-Subsonic Flight Characteristics of a Model of a Flat-Bottom Hypersonic Boost-Glide Configuration Having a 78 deg Delta Wing

An investigation of the low-subsonic stability and control characteristics of a model of a flat-bottom hypersonic boost-glide configuration having 78 deg sweep of the leading edge has been made in the Langley full-scale tunnel. The model was flown over an angle-of-attack range from 10 to 35 deg. Static and dynamic force tests were made in the Langley free-flight tunnel. The investigation showed that the longitudinal stability and control characteristics were generally satisfactory with neutral or positive static longitudinal stability. The addition of artificial pitch damping resulted in satisfactory longitudinal characteristics being obtained with large amounts of static instability. The most rearward center-of-gravity position for which sustained flights could be made either with or without pitch damper corresponded to the calculated maneuver point. The lateral stability and control characteristics were satisfactory up to about 15 deg angle of attack. The damping of the Dutch roll oscillation decreased with increasing angle of attack; the oscillation was about neutrally stable at 20 deg angle of attack and unstable at angles of attack of about 25 deg and above. Artificial damping in roll greatly improved the lateral characteristics and resulted in flights being made up to 35 deg angle of attack.

Paulson, John W.↗
NASA NTRS1998

Linear System Control Using Stochastic Learning Automata

This paper explains the use of a Stochastic Learning Automata (SLA) to control switching between three systems to produce the desired output response. The SLA learns the optimal choice of the damping ratio for each system to achieve a desired result. We show that the SLA can learn these states for the control of an unknown system with the proper choice of the error criteria. The results of using a single automaton are compared to using multiple automata.

Ziyad, Nigel↗
NASA NTRS1972

Inertial reference unit

Unit provides rate damping, linear velocity changes and angular position information to attitude control system during turns and motor burns.

Crawford, R. A.↗
NASA NTRS1974

The AIROscope pointing and stabilization system

The AIROscope pointing and stabilization system is described. The system is configured with three gimbal axes and rate integrating gyro stabilization to provide a stable platform for infrared astronomy. Error signals for on and off-axis pointing are derived from a video sensor which also drives a ground station display. Other features of the system include direct drive torque motors and electronic suspension damping. Results of analysis and simulations used to design the control loops, and a pointing error analysis are presented.

Murphy, J. P.↗
NASA NTRS1977

Fluid-film bearing damper

Device for rotating machinery has noncircular support that allows changes in dynamic properties. Device can be controlled for either manually or automatically altering its stiffness and damping properties without interruption of operation.

Cunningham, R. E.↗
NASA NTRS1976

Position error propagation in the simplex strapdown navigation system

The results of an analysis of the effects of deterministic error sources on position error in the simplex strapdown navigation system were documented. Improving the long term accuracy of the system was addressed in two phases: understanding and controlling the error within the system, and defining methods of damping the net system error through the use of an external reference velocity or position. Review of the flight and ground data revealed error containing the Schuler frequency as well as non-repeatable trends. The only unbounded terms are those involving gyro bias and azimuth error coupled with velocity. All forms of Schuler-periodic position error were found to be sufficiently large to require update or damping capability unless the source coefficients can be limited to values less than those used in this analysis for misalignment and gyro and accelerometer bias. The first-order effects of the deterministic error sources were determined with a simple error propagator which provided plots of error time functions in response to various source error values.

Source record↗
NASA NTRS1978

Length mode piezoelectric ultrasonic transducer for inspection of solid objects

The transducer is constructed from individual transducer elements arranged in an array and configured to exhibit a predominant, longitudinal mode transversely to the array. The elements are interconnected through thin flexible sheets. Each element is individually damped, and the transducer as a whole is electrically damped through resonance with the clamped capacitance and dissipation. Electrical control permits inphase operation of all transducer elements or control with preselected phase differences.

Thompson, R. B.↗
NASA NTRS1979

A piloted simulator study on augmentation systems to improve helicopter flying qualities in terrain flight

Four basic single-rotor helicopters, one teetering, on articulated, and two hingeless, which were found to have a variety of major deficiencies in a previous fixed-based simulator study, were selected as baseline configurations. The stability and control augmentation systems (SCAS) include simple control augmentation systems to decouple pitch and yaw responses due to collective input and to quicken the pitch and roll control responses; SCAS of rate-command type designed to optimize the sensitivity and damping and to decouple the pitch-roll due to aircraft angular tate; and attitude-command type SCAS. Pilot ratings and commentary are presented as well as performance data related to the task. SCAS control usages and their gain levels associated with specific rotor types are also discussed.

Chen, R. T. N.↗
NASA NTRS1984

Highly Maneuverable Aircraft Technology (HiMAT) flight-flutter test program

The highly maneuverable aircraft technology (HiMAT) vehicle was evaluated in a joint NASA and Air Force flight test program. The HiMAT vehicle is a remotely piloted research vehicle. Its design incorporates the use of advanced composite materials in the wings, and canards for aeroelastic tailoring. A flight-flutter test program was conducted to clear a sufficient flight envelope to allow for performance, stability and control, and loads testing. Testing was accomplished with and without flight control-surface dampers. Flutter clearance of the vehicle indicated satisfactory damping and damping trends for the structural modes of the HiMAT vehicle. The data presented include frequency and damping plotted as a function of Mach number.

Kehoe, M. W.↗
NASA NTRS1989

GetAway Tether Experiment (GATE) for the Tether Dynamics Explorer (TDE) series

Designs for the GetAway Tether Experiment (GATE) can easily be adapted and applied to the Tether Dynamics Explorer (TDE) series. The GATE development schedule coincides with the planned first flight of the TDE. GATE technology has centered on the development of miniature deployers/actuators, sensors, control laws and simulation capability. The sensors currently under development are a tension sensor and a video based tether tracker. Both sensors are currently undergoing laboratory testing and development. The actuators currently being investigated are a small reel/deployed for active control of the tether and a small tether crawler to damp vibrations of the tether. Laboratory results are presented and the designs reviewed and discussed.

Greene, Michael↗
NASA NTRS1990

Identification and control of a flexible beam using modal domain sensor

The use of a distributed-effect, modal domain optical fiber sensor (MD sensor) as a component in an active control system to suppress vibrations in a flexible beam is discussed. The sensor model is integrated into the model for a flexible structure. Based on this system model, a control system with a dynamic compensator is designed to add damping to the low order modes of the flexible structure. To verify the modeling procedure, a cantilevered beam was instrumental with a piezoelectric actuator and an MD sensor. It is shown that experimental responses closely match simulated responses for both open loop and closed loop tests.

Cox, David E.↗
NASA NTRS1993

Structural design for control

Recent advances in structural design for control are reviewed. Attention is given to adaptive structures, passive damping, ground testing, and system identification. Directions for future research are suggested.

Wada, Ben K.↗
NASA NTRS1996

Time Varying Compensator Design for Reconfigurable Structures Using Non-Collocated Feedback

Analysis and synthesis tools are developed to improved the dynamic performance of reconfigurable nonminimum phase, nonstrictly positive real-time variant systems. A novel Spline Varying Optimal (SVO) controller is developed for the kinematic nonlinear system. There are several advantages to using the SVO controller, in which the spline function approximates the system model, observer, and controller gain. They are: The spline function approximation is simply connected, thus the SVO controller is more continuous than traditional gain scheduled controllers when implemented on a time varying plant; ft is easier for real-time implementations in storage and computational effort; where system identification is required, the spline function requires fewer experiments, namely four experiments; and initial startup estimator transients are eliminated. The SVO compensator was evaluated on a high fidelity simulation of the Shuttle Remote Manipulator System. The SVO controller demonstrated significant improvement over the present arm performance: (1) Damping level was improved by a factor of 3; and (2) Peak joint torque was reduced by a factor of 2 following Shuttle thruster firings.

Scott, Michael A.↗
NASA NTRS1961

Study of a Satellite Attitude Control System Using Integrating Gyros as Torque Sources

This report considers the use of single-degree-of-freedom integrating gyros as torque sources for precise control of satellite attitude. Some general design criteria are derived and applied to the specific example of the Orbiting Astronomical Observatory. The results of the analytical design are compared with the results of an analog computer study and also with experimental results from a low-friction platform. The steady-state and transient behavior of the system, as determined by the analysis, by the analog study, and by the experimental platform agreed quite well. The results of this study show that systems using integrating gyros for precise satellite attitude control can be designed to have a reasonably rapid and well-damped transient response, as well as very small steady-state errors. Furthermore, it is shown that the gyros act as rate sensors, as well as torque sources, so that no rate stabilization networks are required, and when no error sensor is available, the vehicle is still rate stabilized. Hence, it is shown that a major advantage of a gyro control system is that when the target is occulted, an alternate reference is not required.

White, John S.↗
NASA NTRS1997

Memory Golf Clubs

Memory Corporation's investigation of shape memory effect, stemming from Marshall Space Flight Center contracts to study materials for the space station, has aided in the development of Zeemet, a proprietary, high-damping shape memory alloy for the golf industry. The Nicklaus Golf Company has created a new line of golf clubs using Zeemet inserts. Its superelastic and high damping attributes translate into more spin on the ball, greater control, and a solid feel.

Source record↗
NASA NTRS1997

Altered astronaut lower limb and mass center kinematics in downward jumping following space flight

Astronauts exposed to the microgravity conditions encountered during space flight exhibit postural and gait instabilities upon return to earth that could impair critical postflight performance. The aim of the present study was to determine the effects of microgravity exposure on astronauts' performance of two-footed jump landings. Nine astronauts from several Space Shuttle missions were tested both preflight and postflight with a series of voluntary, two-footed downward hops from a 30-cm-high step. A video-based, three-dimensional motion-analysis system permitted calculation of body segment positions and joint angular displacements. Phase-plane plots of knee, hip, and ankle angular velocities compared with the corresponding joint angles were used to describe the lower limb kinematics during jump landings. The position of the whole-body center of mass (COM) was also estimated in the sagittal plane using an eight-segment body model. Four of nine subjects exhibited expanded phase-plane portraits postflight, with significant increases in peak joint flexion angles and flexion rates following space flight. In contrast, two subjects showed significant contractions of their phase-plane portraits postflight and three subjects showed insignificant overall changes after space flight. Analysis of the vertical COM motion generally supported the joint angle results. Subjects with expanded joint angle phase-plane portraits postflight exhibited larger downward deviations of the COM and longer times from impact to peak deflection, as well as lower upward recovery velocities. Subjects with postflight joint angle phase-plane contraction demonstrated opposite effects in the COM motion. The joint kinematics results indicated the existence of two contrasting response modes due to microgravity exposure. Most subjects exhibited "compliant" impact absorption postflight, consistent with decreased limb stiffness and damping, and a reduction in the bandwidth of the postural control system. Fewer subjects showed "stiff" behavior after space flight, where contractions in the phase-plane portraits pointed to an increase in control bandwidth. The changes appeared to result from adaptive modifications in the control of lower limb impedance. A simple 2nd-order model of the vertical COM motion indicated that changes in the effective vertical stiffness of the legs can predict key features of the postflight performance. Compliant responses may reflect inflight adaptation due to altered demands on the postural control system in microgravity, while stiff behavior may result from overcompensation postflight for the presumed reduction in limb stiffness inflight.

Clinical Trial↗
NASA NTRS1985

AFWAL space control technology program

An overview of space oriented control technology programs which are applicable to flexible large space structures is presented. The spacecraft control activity is interdisciplinary with activities in structures, structural dynamics and control brought together. The large flexible structures to be controlled have many physical factors that influence the final controllability of the vehicle. Factors are studied such as rigidity of both structural elements and joints, damping inherent in both material as well as discrete dampers located throughout the structure, and the bandwidth of both sensors and actuators used to sense motion and control it. Descriptions of programs both in-house and contracted are given.

Hoehne, V. O.↗