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At least 163 records · Page 9

Measurement and characterization of force dynamics in high T(sub c) superconductors

Magnetic bearing implementations using more exotic superconducting phenomena have been proliferating in recent years because they have important advantages over conventional implementations. For example, the stable suspension of a six degrees-of-freedom object by superconducting means can be achieved without a control system and with the use of only a single superconductor. It follows that the construction becomes much simpler with decreased need for position sensors and stabilizers. However, it is recognized that the design of superconducting systems can be difficult because important characteristics relating to the 6 degree-of-freedom dynamics of an object suspended magnetically are not readily available and the underlying principles of superconducting phenomena are not yet completely understood. To eliminate some of the guesswork in the design process, this paper proposes a system which can resolve the mechanical properties of suspension by superconductivity and provide position and orientation dependent data about the system's damping, stiffness, and frequency response characteristics. This system employs an actively-controlled magnetically-suspended fine-motion device that can also be used as a six degree-of-freedom force sensor. By attaching the force sensor to a permanent magnet that is being levitated above a superconducting magnet, mechanical characteristics of the superconductor levitation can be extracted. Such information would prove useful for checking the validity of theoretical models and may even give insights into superconducting phenomena.

Higuchi, Toshiro↗

Inertial attitude control of Voyager spacecraft using dry tuned rotor gyro

The inertial attitude control system designed for the Voyager spacecraft, which will carry out flybys of Jupiter and Saturn in 1979 and 1981, respectively, is described. The attitude of the spacecraft in three-dimensional space will be measured by a Dry Inertial Reference Unit (DIRU) based on three identical two-degree-of-freedom dry gyros. A software estimation process has been developed to use DIRU data and other information to obtain optimum estimates of spacecraft position, velocity, and acceleration. The attitude of the spacecraft is corrected using these estimates by activating hydrazine thrusters. The operation of dry gyros is discussed, together with the network compensation techniques used in their associated capture loop to obtain a capture capability of 8 deg/sec and a frequency response of 10 Hz (3-dB point). The control law and estimation process are examined. Results of computer simulation studies of the performance of the attitude control system are presented.

Bahrami, K.↗

The design of a turboshaft speed governor using modern control techniques

The objectives of this program were: to verify the model of off schedule compressor variable geometry in the T700 turboshaft engine nonlinear model; to evaluate the use of the pseudo-random binary noise (PRBN) technique for obtaining engine frequency response data; and to design a high performance power turbine speed governor using modern control methods. Reduction of T700 engine test data generated at NASA-Lewis indicated that the off schedule variable geometry effects were accurate as modeled. Analysis also showed that the PRBN technique combined with the maximum likelihood model identification method produced a Bode frequency response that was as accurate as the response obtained from standard sinewave testing methods. The frequency response verified the accuracy of linear models consisting of engine partial derivatives and used for design. A power turbine governor was designed using the Linear Quadratic Regulator (LQR) method of full state feedback control. A Kalman filter observer was used to estimate helicopter main rotor blade velocity. Compared to the baseline T700 power turbine speed governor, the LQR governor reduced droop up to 25 percent for a 490 shaft horsepower transient in 0.1 sec simulating a wind gust, and up to 85 percent for a 700 shaft horsepower transient in 0.5 sec simulating a large collective pitch angle transient.

Delosreyes, G.↗

Formulation and verification of frequency response system identification techniques for large space structures

For the past several years much effort has been given to the development of techniques for designing control systems for large space structures (LSS's). The main objective of these efforts has been to develop a LSS control methodology that produces designs that meet strenuous performance requirements and are robust to model inaccuracies. Unfortunately, performance and robustness are conflicting requirements. Because LSS's can not be fully tested on ground, it has become an accepted fact that the design of LSS control systems to meet performance requirements can not be completed until the LSS is placed on-orbit and tested and an accurate model is extracted from on-orbit test results. Modern MIMO sampled-data frequency response design techniques are viable candidates for designing LSS control systems. First, this paper presents techniques for performing MIMO system identification (ID) from test data. Then, techniques for improving the performance of the system ID process in the presence of noise are presented. Finally, practical utility of the system ID approaches are validated by the presentation of results obtained from application on the LSS Ground Test Facility at Marshall Space Flight Center.

Mitchell, Jerrel R.↗

Advancements in frequency-domain methods for rotorcraft system identification

A new method for frequency-domain identification of rotorcraft dynamics is presented. Nonparametric frequency-response identification and parametric tranfer-function modeling methods are extended to allow the extraction of state-space (stability and control derivative) representations. An interactive computer program DERIVID is described for the iterative solution of the multi-input/multi-output frequency-response matching approach used in the identification. Theoretical accuracy methods are used to determine the appropriate model structure and degree-of-confidence in the identified parameters. The method is applied to XV-15 tilt-rotor aircraft data in hover. Bare-airframe stability and control derivatives for the lateral/directional dynamics are shown to compare favorably with models previously obtained using time-domain identification methods and the XV-15 simulation program.

Tischler, Mark B.↗

Advancements in frequency-domain methods for rotorcraft system identification

A new method for frequency-domain identification of rotorcraft dynamics is presented. Nonparametric frequency-response identification and parametric transfer-function modeling methods are extended to allow the extraction of state-space (stability and control derivative) representations. An interactive computer program DERIVID is described for the iterative solution of the multi-input/multi-output frequency-response matching approach used in the identification. Theoretical accuracy methods are used to determine the appropriate model structure and degree-of-confidence in the identified parameters. The method is applied to XV-15 tilt-rotor aircraft data in hover. Bare-airframe stability and control derivatives for the lateral/directional dynamics are shown to compare favorably with models previously obtained using time-domain identification methods and the XV-15 simulation program.

Tischler, Mark B.↗

Integrated aeroservoelastic analysis capability with X-29A analytical comparisons

An extension of the program STARS (a general-purpose structural analysis program) has been developed; this extension implements a complete aeroservoelastic analysis capability. Previous capabilities included finite-element modeling as well as statics, buckling, vibration, dynamic response, and flutter analyses. This paper presents a description and the formulation of STARS in its current state along with example dynamic, aeroelastic, and aeroservoelastic analyses pertaining to the X-29A aircraft. These examples include vibration analysis results as well as flutter analysis results obtained by the conventional k method and the velocity root-contour solution. Finally, selected open- and closed-loop aeroservoelastic analysis results based on a hybrid formulation are compared to illustrate, using the calculated frequency responses, the interactions of structures, aerodynamics, and flight controls.

Gupta, K. K.↗

Real-time flight test analysis and display techniques for the X-29A aircraft

The X-29A advanced technology demonstrator flight envelope expansion program and the subsequent flight research phase gave impetus to the development of several innovative real-time analysis and display techniques. These new techniques produced significant improvements in flight test productivity, flight research capabilities, and flight safety. These techniques include real-time measurement and display of in-flight structural loads, dynamic structural mode frequency and damping, flight control system dynamic stability and control response, aeroperformance drag polars, and aircraft specific excess power. Several of these analysis techniques also provided for direct comparisons of flight-measured results with analytical predictions. The aeroperformance technique was made possible by the concurrent development of a new simplified in-flight net thrust computation method. To achieve these levels of on-line flight test analysis, integration of ground and airborne systems was required. The capability of NASA Ames Research Center, Dryden Flight Research Facility's Western Aeronautical Test Range was a key factor in enabling implementation of these methods.

Hicks, John W.↗

Real-time flight test analysis and display techniques for the X-29A aircraft

The X-29A advanced technology demonstrator flight envelope expansion program and the subsequent flight research phase gave impetus to the development of several innovative real-time analysis and display techniques. These new techniques produced significant improvements in flight test productivity, flight research capabilities, and flight safety. These techniques include real-time measurement and display of in-flight structural loads, dynamic structural mode frequency and damping, flight control system dynamic stability and control response, aeroperformance drag polars, and aircraft specific excess power. Several of these analysis techniques also provided for direct comparisons of flight-measured results with analytical predictions. The aeroperformance technique was made possible by the concurrent development of a new simplified in-flight net thrust computation method. To achieve these levels of on-line flight test analysis, integration of ground and airborne systems was required. The capability of NASA Ames Research Center, Dryden Flight Research Facility's Western Aeronautical Test Range was a key factor to enable implementation of these methods.

Hicks, John W.↗

Structural modeling for control design (articulated multibody component representation)

High gain, high frequency flexible responses in gimbaled multibody systems are discussed. Their origin and physical significance are described in terms of detailed mass and stiffness modeling at actuator/sensor interfaces. Guyan Reduction, Generalized Dynamic Reduction, inadequate mass modeling detail, as well as system mode truncation, are shown to suppress the high gain high frequency response and thereby lose system flexibility important for stability and performance predictions. Model validation by modal survey testing is shown to risk similar loss of accuracy. Difficulties caused by high frequency responses in component mode simulations, such as DISCOS, and also linearized system mode simulations, are described, and approaches for handling these difficulties are discussed.

Haugse, E. D.↗

The Influence of Finite-size Sources in Acousto-ultrasonics

This work explores the effects that the finite normal axisymmetric traction loading of an infinite isotropic plate has on wave propagation in acousto-ultrasonics (AU), in which guided waves are created using two normal incidence transducers. Although the work also addresses the effects of the transducer pressure distribution and pulse shape, this thesis concentrates on two main questions: how does the transducer's diameter control the phase velocity and frequency spectrum of the response, and how does the plate thickness relate to the plate's excitability? The mathematics of the time-harmonic solution and the physical principles and the practical considerations for AU wave generation are explained. Transient sources are modeled by the linear superposition of the time-harmonic solutions found using the Hankel transform and they are then compared to experimental data to provide insight into the relation between the size of the transducer and the preferred phase velocity.

Pavlakovic, Brian N.↗

Laboratory Investigation of Two Autopilots for a 4/10-Scale Drop Model of the Grumman F8F-1 Airplane, TED No. NACA 2466

Performance investigation and frequency response analyses were con- ducted en two autopilot control systems designed for use in the 0.4-scale model of the Grumman F8F-1 airplane. The first system, based on the action of a displacement gyroscope only, was investigated to find the cause of a small-amplitude pitch oscillation which had been noted in previous flight tests. The results of the investigation conducted revealed that, although the autopilot-model combination was dynamically stable, a hunting oscillation was possible due to a change in autopilot characteristics in a dive. This hunting condition can be eliminated by increasing the gyroscope pickoff dead spot without greatly reducing dynamic stability of the autopilot-model combination.

Teitelbaum, Jerome M.↗

Modified optimal control pilot model for computer-aided design and analysis

This paper presents the theoretical development of a modified optimal control pilot model based upon the optimal control model (OCM) of the human operator developed by Kleinman, Baron, and Levison. This model is input compatible with the OCM and retains other key aspects of the OCM, such as a linear quadratic solution for the pilot gains with inclusion of control rate in the cost function, a Kalman estimator, and the ability to account for attention allocation and perception threshold effects. An algorithm designed for each implementation in current dynamic systems analysis and design software is presented. Example results based upon the analysis of a tracking task using three basic dynamic systems are compared with measured results and with similar analyses performed with the OCM and two previously proposed simplified optimal pilot models. The pilot frequency responses and error statistics obtained with this modified optimal control model are shown to compare more favorably to the measured experimental results than the other previously proposed simplified models evaluated.

Davidson, John B.↗

Active control of nonlinear-nonstationary response and radiation of a panel-stringer structure near a supersonic jet

This paper is on the control of nonlinear-nonstationary vibration of an aircraft-type frame-stringer structure and the acoustic radiation resulting from high levels of excitation by a nearby supersonic model jet exhaust. The objective of the control is to reduce the acoustic fatigue and the interior noise in a high-speed aircraft. Control of the structural response is achieved by actively forcing the structure with an actuator at the shock oscillation frequency whose amplitude is locked into a self-control cycle. This controller follows the amplitude modulation that results from the rotation and counter-rotation of the jet column. Results show that the peak level of the power in the structural response due to shock impingement is reduced by a factor of 63, corresponding to a power level reduction of 18 dB. As a result, new broadband components emerge with at least four harmonics contributing to the broadening of the response spectrum. At accelerating and decelerating supersonic speeds, the exhaust from the jet induces higher transient loading on the nearby flexible structure due to the occurrence of multiple shocks from the jet.

Maestrello, Lucio↗

Estimation of Time-Varying Pilot Model Parameters

Human control behavior is rarely completely stationary over time due to fatigue or loss of attention. In addition, there are many control tasks for which human operators need to adapt their control strategy to vehicle dynamics that vary in time. In previous studies on the identification of time-varying pilot control behavior wavelets were used to estimate the time-varying frequency response functions. However, the estimation of time-varying pilot model parameters was not considered. Estimating these parameters can be a valuable tool for the quantification of different aspects of human time-varying manual control. This paper presents two methods for the estimation of time-varying pilot model parameters, a two-step method using wavelets and a windowed maximum likelihood estimation method. The methods are evaluated using simulations of a closed-loop control task with time-varying pilot equalization and vehicle dynamics. Simulations are performed with and without remnant. Both methods give accurate results when no pilot remnant is present. The wavelet transform is very sensitive to measurement noise, resulting in inaccurate parameter estimates when considerable pilot remnant is present. Maximum likelihood estimation is less sensitive to pilot remnant, but cannot detect fast changes in pilot control behavior.

Zaal, Peter M. T.↗

A method for obtaining practical flutter-suppression control laws using results of optimal control theory

The results of optimal control theory are used to synthesize a feedback filter. The feedback filter is used to force the output of the filtered frequency response to match that of a desired optimal frequency response over a finite frequency range. This matching is accomplished by employing a nonlinear programing algorithm to search for the coefficients of the feedback filter that minimize the error between the optimal frequency response and the filtered frequency response. The method is applied to the synthesis of an active flutter-suppression control law for an aeroelastic wind-tunnel model. It is shown that the resulting control law suppresses flutter over a wide range of subsonic Mach numbers. This is a promising method for synthesizing practical control laws using the results of optimal control theory.

Newson, J. R.↗

Biomechanically Induced and Controller Coupled Oscillations Experienced on the F-16XL Aircraft During Rolling Maneuvers

During rapid rolling maneuvers, the F-16 XL aircraft exhibits a 2.5 Hz lightly damped roll oscillation, perceived and described as 'roll ratcheting.' This phenomenon is common with fly-by-wire control systems, particularly when primary control is derived through a pedestal-mounted side-arm controller. Analytical studies have been conducted to model the nature of the integrated control characteristics. The analytical results complement the flight observations. A three-degree-of-freedom linearized set of aerodynamic matrices was assembled to simulate the aircraft plant. The lateral-directional control system was modeled as a linear system. A combination of two second-order transfer functions was derived to couple the lateral acceleration feed through effect of the operator's arm and controller to the roll stick force input. From the combined systems, open-loop frequency responses and a time history were derived, describing and predicting an analogous in-flight situation. This report describes the primary control, aircraft angular rate, and position time responses of the F-16 XL-2 aircraft during subsonic and high-dynamic-pressure rolling maneuvers. The analytical description of the pilot's arm and controller can be applied to other aircraft or simulations to assess roll ratcheting susceptibility.

Smith, John W.↗