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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.

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At least 91 records · Page 5
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1987

A shared position/force control methodology for teleoperation

A flexible and computationally efficient shared position/force control concept and its implementation in the Robot Control C Library (RCCL) are presented form the point of teleoperation. This methodology enables certain degrees of freedom to be position-controlled through real time manual inputs and the remaining degrees of freedom to be force-controlled by computer. Functionally, it is a hybrid control scheme in that certain degrees of freedom are designated to be under position control, and the remaining degrees of freedom to be under force control. However, the methodology is also a shared control scheme because some degrees of freedom can be put under manual control and the other degrees of freedom put under computer control. Unlike other hybrid control schemes, which process position and force commands independently, this scheme provides a force control loop built on top of a position control inner loop. This feature minimizes the computational burden and increases disturbance rejection. A simple implementation is achieved partly because the joint control servos that are part of most robots can be used to provide the position control inner loop. Along with this control scheme, several menus were implemented for the convenience of the user. The implemented control scheme was successfully demonstrated for the tasks of hinged-panel opening and peg-in-hole insertion.

Lee, Jin S.↗
NASA NTRS1988

Piezoelectric polymer-based isolation mount for articulated pointing systems on large flexible spacecraft

When a pointing system is attached to a large flexible body that is subject to continuous excitation, a mechanical isolator becomes a key element in achieving high performance. An active softmount based on the piezoelectric polymer poly (vinylidene fluoride) is considered here for use in a precision pointing system for Space Station. A finite element model of the softmount is developed and added to simple Space Station and payload models for performance analysis. Both linear frequency domain and nonlinear time domain simulations are carried out in order to demonstrate the wideband disturbance rejection capabilities of the design. Nonlinear geometric effects of large nodal deflections are also considered.

Sirlin, Samuel W.↗
NASA NTRS1988

Get-Away tether experiment - Experimental plans

The experimental capabilities of the Get-Away Tether Experiment (GATE) are presented and a series of demonstration mission are proposed. The GATE is a free-flying tether system that will develop or demonstrate technology in the areas of tether dynamics (deployment and stabilization, retrieval, stationkeeping, and severance), tether electrodynamics, micrometeor hazards to tethers, and disturbance rejection. The system consists of two subsatellites connected by 1 km of tether. The free-flying system is ejected from the Orbiter via a Getaway Special (GAS) canister. Two dynamics missions are profiled along with a description of electrodynamic mission capabilities. The dynamic interactions of the end body and tether may be observed from the Orbiter or from an on-board video tracking system. Hence, GATE provides a unique, low cost capability to demonstrate various tether technologies, and address critical design and safety issues associated with future tether applications. An assessment of the significant measurable parameters and associated instrumentation is given. Future work and system development projection schedules are also outlined.

Greene, Michael↗
NASA NTRS1989

Input preshaping with frequency domain information for flexible-link manipulator control

The application of an input preshaping scheme to flexible manipulators is considered. The resulting control corresponds to a feedforward term that convolves in real-time the desired reference input with a sequence of impulses and produces a vibration free output. The robustness of the algorithm with respect to injected disturbances and modal frequency variations is not satisfactory and can be improved by convolving the input with a longer sequence of impulses. The incorporation of the preshaping scheme to a closed-loop plant, using acceleration feedback, offers satisfactory disturbance rejection due to feedback and cancellation of the flexible mode effects due to the preshaping. A frequency domain identification scheme is used to estimate the modal frequencies on-line and subsequently update the spacing between the impulses. The combined adaptive input preshaping scheme provides the fastest possible slew that results in a vibration free output.

Tzes, Anthony↗
NASA NTRS1989

H(2)- and H(infinity)-design tools for linear time-invariant systems

Recent advances in optimal control have brought design techniques based on optimization of H(2) and H(infinity) norm criteria, closer to be attractive alternatives to single-loop design methods for linear time-variant systems. Significant steps forward in this technology are the deeper understanding of performance and robustness issues of these design procedures and means to perform design trade-offs. However acceptance of the technology is hindered by the lack of convenient design tools to exercise these powerful multivariable techniques, while still allowing single-loop design formulation. Presented is a unique computer tool for designing arbitrary low-order linear time-invarient controllers than encompasses both performance and robustness issues via the familiar H(2) and H(infinity) norm optimization. Application to disturbance rejection design for a commercial transport is demonstrated.

Ly, Uy-Loi↗
NASA NTRS1990

An expert system to perform on-line controller tuning

An expert system which tunes a Proportional-Integral-Derivative (PID) controller on-line for a single-input-single-output multiple-lag process with dead time is described. The expert system examines features of the previous transient responses and their corresponding sets of controller parameters. It determines a new set of controller gains to obtain a more desirable time response. This technique can be used to determine and implement a different set of PID gains for each operating regime and, once in steady state, the system can be used to find optimal parameters for load disturbance rejection. The expert system can be applied to any system of the specified form (aerospace, industrial, etc.) and can be expanded to include additional process models.

Litt, Jonathan S.↗
NASA NTRS1990

A game theoretic controller for a linear time-invariant system with parameter uncertainty and its application to the Space Station

A game theoretic controller is developed for a linear time-invariant system with parameter uncertainties in system and input matrices. The input-output decomposition modeling for the plant uncertainty is adopted. The uncertain dynamic system is represented as an internal feedback loop in which the system is assumed forced by fictitious disturbance caused by the parameter uncertainty. By considering the input and the fictitious disturbance as two noncooperative players, a differential game problem is constructed. It is shown that the resulting time invariant controller stabilizes the uncertain system for a prescribed uncertainty bound. This game theoretic controller is applied to the momentum management and attitude control of the Space Station in the presence of uncertainties in the moments of inertia. Inclusion of the external disturbance torque to the design procedure results in a dynamical feedback controller which consists of conventional PID control and cyclic disturbance rejection filter. It is shown that the game theoretic design, comparing to the LQR design or pole placement design, improves the stability robustness with respect to inertia variations.

Rhee, Ihnseok↗
NASA NTRS1990

The Bode integrals and wave front tilt control

This paper reviews four of Bode's (1940) integrals and what those integrals tell about feedback design in the frequency domain. The resulting design paradigm is known as the Bode ideal cutoff. The Bode ideal cutoff design can be done with pencil and paper and without requiring that the compensator be of a certain fixed order or even a rational function of frequency. The Bode ideal cutoff is applied to the preliminary feedback design of wave front tilt control by two mirrors on a space based interferometer. The design example illustrates how the Bode ideal cutoff takes into account bandwidth, sensor noise constraints, and uncertainties via stability margins, and then maximizes the feedback (loop gain or disturbance rejection) over a prescribed frequency band.

Kissel, Glen J.↗
NASA NTRS1990

Effects of stick dynamics on helicopter flying qualities

An experiment that investigated the influence of typical helicopter force-feel system dynamics on roll-axis handling qualities was conducted in concurrent ground and inflight simulations. Variations in lateral control natural frequency and damping ratio, effected by changes in inertia and damping, were evaluated in a disturbance-rejection task. Pilot ratings indicated a preference for low-inertia feel systems, although measured performance was relatively constant over the range of stick characteristics. Force-sensing was compared with position sensing as the input to the control system. Force-sensing improved performance but did not improve pilot ratings. Overall, the results indicated that control-stick dynamics, at least within a reasonable range, did not have a significant effect on pilot-vehicle performance. However, the physical effort required to maintain a desired pilot/manipulator bandwidth became objectionable as the stick inertia increased beyond 5-7 lbm, which was reflected in the pilot ratings and comments.

Watson, Douglas C.↗
NASA NTRS1991

A robust momentum management and attitude control system for the space station

A game theoretic controller is synthesized for momentum management and attitude control of the Space Station in the presence of uncertainties in the moments of inertia. Full state information is assumed since attitude rates are assumed to be very assurately measured. By an input-output decomposition of the uncertainty in the system matrices, the parameter uncertainties in the dynamic system are represented as an unknown gain associated with an internal feedback loop (IFL). The input and output matrices associated with the IFL form directions through which the uncertain parameters affect system response. If the quadratic form of the IFL output augments the cost criterion, then enhanced parameter robustness is anticipated. By considering the input and the input disturbance from the IFL as two noncooperative players, a linear-quadratic differential game is constructed. The solution in the form of a linear controller is used for synthesis. Inclusion of the external disturbance torques results in a dynamic feedback controller which consists of conventional PID (proportional integral derivative) control and cyclic disturbance rejection filters. It is shown that the game theoretic design allows large variations in the inertias in directions of importance.

Speyer, J. L.↗
NASA NTRS1991

A time delay controller for magnetic bearings

The control of systems with unknown dynamics and unpredictable disturbances has raised some challenging problems. This is particularly important when high system performance needs to be guaranteed at all times. Recently, the Time Delay Control has been suggested as an alternative control scheme. The proposed control system does not require an explicit plant model nor does it depend on the estimation of specific plant parameters. Rather, it combines adaptation with past observations to directly estimate the effect of the plant dynamics. A control law is formulated for a class of dynamic systems and a sufficient condition is presented for control systems stability. The derivation is based on the bounded input-bounded output stability approach using L sub infinity function norms. The control scheme is implemented on a five degrees of freedom high speed and high precision magnetic bearing. The control performance is evaluated using step responses, frequency responses, and disturbance rejection properties. The experimental data show an excellent control performance despite the system complexity.

Youcef-Toumi, K.↗
NASA NTRS1990

Robust integrated autopilot/autothrottle design using constrained parameter optimization

A multivariable control design method based on constrained parameter optimization was applied to the design of a multiloop aircraft flight control system. Specifically, the design method is applied to the following: (1) direct synthesis of a multivariable 'inner-loop' feedback control system based on total energy control principles; (2) synthesis of speed/altitude-hold designs as 'outer-loop' feedback/feedforward control systems around the above inner loop; and (3) direct synthesis of a combined 'inner-loop' and 'outer-loop' multivariable control system. The design procedure offers a direct and structured approach for the determination of a set of controller gains that meet design specifications in closed-loop stability, command tracking performance, disturbance rejection, and limits on control activities. The presented approach may be applied to a broader class of multiloop flight control systems. Direct tradeoffs between many real design goals are rendered systematic by this method following careful problem formulation of the design objectives and constraints. Performance characteristics of the optimization design were improved over the current autopilot design on the B737-100 Transport Research Vehicle (TSRV) at the landing approach and cruise flight conditions; particularly in the areas of closed-loop damping, command responses, and control activity in the presence of turbulence.

Ly, Uy-Loi↗
NASA NTRS1991

Experimental demonstration of a classical approach for flexible space structure control: NASA CSI testbeds

The results of active control experiments performed for the Mini-Mast truss structure are presented. The primary research objectives were: (1) to develop active structural control concepts and/or techniques; (2) to verify the concept of robust non-minimum-phase compensation for a certain class of non-colocated structural control problems through ground experiments; (3) to verify a 'dipole' concept for persistent disturbance rejection control of flexible structures; and (4) to identify CSI (Control Structure Interaction) issues and areas of emphasis for the next generation of large flexible spacecraft. The classical SISO (Single Input and Single Output) control design approach was employed.

Bond, Wie↗
NASA NTRS1991

A simulation of the instrument pointing system for the Astro-1 mission

NASA has recently completed a shuttle-borne stellar ultraviolet astronomy mission known as Astro-1. A three axis instrument pointing system (IPS) was employed to accurately point the science instruments. In order to analyze the pointing control system and verify pointing performance, a simulation of the IPS was developed using the multibody dynamics software TREETOPS. The TREETOPS IPS simulation is capable of accurately modeling the multibody IPS system undergoing large angle, nonlinear motion. The simulation is documented and example cases are presented demonstrating disturbance rejection, fine pointing operations, and multiple target pointing and slewing of the IPS.

Whorton, M.↗
NASA NTRS1990

Total energy control system autopilot design with constrained parameter optimization

A description is given of the application of a multivariable control design method (SANDY) based on constrained parameter optimization to the design of a multiloop aircraft flight control system. Specifically, the design method is applied to the direct synthesis of a multiloop AFCS inner-loop feedback control system based on total energy control system (TECS) principles. The design procedure offers a structured approach for the determination of a set of stabilizing controller design gains that meet design specifications in closed-loop stability, command tracking performance, disturbance rejection, and limits on control activities. The approach can be extended to a broader class of multiloop flight control systems. Direct tradeoffs between many real design goals are rendered systematic by proper formulation of the design objectives and constraints. Satisfactory designs are usually obtained in few iterations. Performance characteristics of the optimized TECS design have been improved, particularly in the areas of closed-loop damping and control activity in the presence of turbulence.

Ly, Uy-Loi↗
NASA NTRS1990

Active structural control design and experiment for the Mini-Mast

Control system design and closed-loop test results for the Mini-Mast truss structure located at the NASA Langley Research Center are presented. The simplicity and effectiveness of a classical control approach to the active structural control design are demonstrated by ground experiments. The concepts of robust nonminimum phase compensation and periodic disturbance rejection are also experimentally validated. The practicality of a sensor output decoupling approach is demonstrated for the inherent, multivariable control problem of the Mini-Mast.

Wie, Bong↗
NASA NTRS1990

End-point controller design for an experimental two-link flexible manipulator using convex optimization

Recent results in linear controller design are used to design an end-point controller for an experimental two-link flexible manipulator. A nominal 14-state linear-quadratic-Gaussian (LQG) controller was augmented with a 528-tap finite-impulse-response (FIR) filter designed using convex optimization techniques. The resulting 278-state controller produced improved end-point trajectory tracking and disturbance rejection in simulation and experimentally in real time.

Oakley, Celia M.↗
NASA NTRS1990

An expert system to perform on-line controller tuning

An expert system which tunes a proportional-integral-derivative (PID) controller online for a single-input-single-output multiple-lag process with dead time is described. The expert system examines features of the previous transient responses and their corresponding sets of controller parameters. It determines a new set of controller gains to obtain a more desirable time response. This technique can be used to determine and implement a different set of PID gains for each operating regime and, once in steady state, the system can be used to find optimal parameters for load disturbance rejection. The expert system can be applied to any system of the specified form (aerospace, industrial, etc.) and can be expanded to include additional process models.

Litt, Jonathan↗