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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 181 records · Page 10

Experiments evaluating compliance and force feedback effect on manipulator performance

The performance capability was assessed of operators performing simulated space tasks using manipulator systems which had compliance and force feedback varied. Two manipulators were used, the E-2 electromechanical man-equivalent (force, reach, etc.) master-slave system and a modified CAM 1400 hydraulic master-slave with 100 lbs force capability at reaches of 24 ft. The CAM 1400 was further modified to operate without its normal force feedback. Several experiments and simulations were performed. The first two involved the E-2 absorbing the energy of a moving mass and secondly, guiding a mass thru a maze. Thus, both work and self paced tasks were studied as servo compliance was varied. Three simulations were run with the E-2 mounted on the CAM 1400 to evaluate the concept of a dexterous manipulator as an end effector of a boom-manipulator. Finally, the CAM 1400 performed a maze test and also simulated the capture of a large mass as the servo compliance was varied and with force feedback included and removed.

Kugath, D. A.↗

Synthesis of a non-linear feedback system with significant plant-ignorance for prescribed time-domain tolerances

The problem considered is the design of a feedback system containing a linear, time invariant, minimum phase plant, whose parameters are known only within given bounds, such that the time response of the system remains within specified limits. A quasi-optimal design, for given design constraints, is one which minimizes the effect of white sensor noise on the input to the plant. An investigation was conducted on the use of the non linear device known as the Clegg integrator in the design of such a system. The describing function of the Clegg integrator has the same magnitude characteristic, apart from a scale factor, as the linear integrator, but has 52 deg less phase-lag, at all frequencies, than the linear integrator; thus, when used in a feedback system, it provides a larger stability margin than the linear integrator. This property allows the nonlinear feedback system to be designed so that the sensor noise is attenuated more than in the linear design.

Krishnan, K. R.↗

V/STOL tilt rotor aircraft study. Volume 7: Tilt rotor flight control program feedback studies

An exploratory study has been made of the use of feedback control in tilt rotor aircraft. This has included the use of swashplate cyclic and collective controls and direct lift control. Various sensor and feedback systems are evaluated in relation to blade loads alleviation, improvement in flying qualities, and modal suppression. Recommendations are made regarding additional analytical and wind tunnel investigations and development of feedback systems in the full scale flight vehicle. Estimated costs and schedules are given.

Alexander, H. R.↗

A graphical test for checking the stability of a linear time-invariant feedback system.

A continuous-time scalar linear time-invariant feedback system is considered for the purpose of checking Willems' (1969, 1970) graphical test for a scalar linear time-invariant feedback system with constant feedback. Heavy reliance is placed on the theory of almost periodic functions. Following definition of the problem and layout of notation, attention is given to solution of the problem, considering only the almost periodic part of the open-loop transfer function.

Callier, F. M.↗

On the control of linear systems using two level periodic output feedback.

A class of second order linear time-invariant systems which are unstable for any constant feedback but which are stabilized by a two level periodic feedback is identified. Necessary and sufficient conditions for this type of stabilization are found. In addition, the sensitivity of the closed-loop system to changes in feedback gains is investigated.

Welch, R. V.↗

Lp-stability (1 less than or equal to p less than or equal to infinity) of multivariable nonlinear time-varying feedback systems that are open-loop unstable

A class of multivariable, nonlinear time-varying feedback systems with an unstable convolution subsystem as feedforward and a time-varying nonlinear gain as feedback was considered. The impulse response of the convolution subsystem is the sum of a finite number of increasing exponentials multiplied by nonnegative powers of the time t, a term that is absolutely integrable and an infinite series of delayed impulses. The main result is a theorem. It essentially states that if the unstable convolution subsystem can be stabilized by a constant feedback gain F and if incremental gain of the difference between the nonlinear gain function and F is sufficiently small, then the nonlinear system is L(p)-stable for any p between one and infinity. Furthermore, the solutions of the nonlinear system depend continuously on the inputs in any L(p)-norm. The fixed point theorem is crucial in deriving the above theorem.

Callier, F. M.↗

Analysis of the feedback system in a nonintrusive dynamic flowmeter for measuring Pogo oscillations

Equations were developed which describe the closed loop feedback system operation of a proposed ultrasonic, dynamic, nonintrusive flowmeter whose design is based on a constant phase, voltage controlled frequency feedback concept. These equations are based on linear feedback system theory. The time constant of a low pass filter is taken into account. The equations show that the larger the open loop gain, the smaller the error due to fluctuations in the speed of sound and the smaller the effective time constant.

Chapin, W. G.↗

Optimal output feedback control of linear systems in presence of forcing and measurement noise

The problem of obtaining an optimal control law, which is constrained to be a linear feedback of the available measurements, for both continuous and discrete time linear systems subjected to additive white process noise and measurement noise was Necessary conditions are obtained for minimizing a quadratic performance function for both finite and infinite terminal time cases. The feedback gains are constrained to be time invariant for the infinite terminal time cases. For all the cases considered, algorithms are derived for generating sequences of feedback gain matrices which successively improve the performance function. A continuous time numerical example is included for the purpose of demonstration.

Joshi, S. M.↗

Investigation of rank 2 and higher output feedback for pole placement

A common feature of several pole placement techniques is discussed and the use of a dyadic feedback matrix is presented. The limitation of this design is examined and a design involving output feedback matrices of Rank greater than one is developed as a logical extension of the dyadic feedback design. An example is presented to illustrate the design procedure.

Sridhar, B.↗

A simulation study of active feedback supression of dynamic response in helicopter rotor blades

A parameter study is presented for active feedback control applied to a helicopter rotor blade during forward flight. The study was performed on an electromechanical apparatus which included a mechanical model rotor blade and electronic analog simulation of interaction between blade deflections and aerodynamic loading. Blade response parameters were obtained for simulated vortex impinging at the blade tip at one pulse per revolution, and for a pulse which traveled from the blade tip toward its root. Results show that the response in a 1 - 10-per-rev frequency band is diminished by the feedback action, but at the same time responses at frequencies above 10-per-rev become increasingly more prominent with increased feedback amplitude, and can even lead to instability at certain levels. It appears that the latter behavior results from limitations of the laboratory simulation apparatus, rather than genuine potential behavior for a prototype helicopter.

Kana, D. D.↗

Design of optimal partial state feedback controllers for linear systems in stochastic environments

The problem of obtaining an optimal control law, which is constrained to be a feedback of the available measurements, is considered for both continuous and discrete time linear systems subjected to additive white process noise and measurement noise. Necessary conditions are obtained for minimizing a quadratic performance function for both finite and infinite duration cases. The feedback gain matrices are constrained to be constant for the infinite duration cases. For all the cases considered, algorithms are derived for generating sequences of feedback gain matrices which successively improve the performance function. Computational aspects are discussed via application to two continuous time processes, including a helicopter/slung load system subjected to measurement noise and random wind gust input.

Joshi, S. M.↗

Design study of a feedback control system for the Multicyclic Flap System rotor (MFS)

The feasibility of automatically providing higher harmonic control to a deflectable control flap at the tip of a helicopter rotor blade through feedback of selected independent parameter was investigated. Control parameters were selected for input to the feedback system. A preliminary circuit was designed to condition the selected parameters, weigh limiting factors, and provide a proper output signal to the multi-cyclic control actuators. Results indicate that feedback control for the higher harmonic is feasible; however, design for a flight system requires an extension of the present analysis which was done for one flight condition - 120 kts, 11,500 lbs gross weight and level flight.

Weisbrich, R.↗

Linear feedback rate bounds for regressive channels

Bounds for the linear feedback capacity of m-th order Gaussian autoregressive channels are derived. The upper bound is tighter than that found by Tiernan and Schalwijk (1974) for the feedback capacity of a first-order autoregressive Gaussian channel with not necessarily linear processing. The separation between the upper and lower bounds is small, and it is conjectured that the lower bound converges to the feedback capacity of the first-order channel as the number of signals tends to infinity.

Butman, S. A.↗

Incorporation of surface albedo-temperature feedback in a one-dimensional radiative-connective climate model

The feedback between ice snow albedo and temperature is included in a one dimensional radiative convective climate model. The effect of this feedback on sensitivity to changes in solar constant is studied for the current values of the solar constant and cloud characteristics. The ice snow albedo feedback amplifies global climate sensitivity by 33% and 50%, respectively, for assumptions of constant cloud altitude and constant cloud temperature.

Wang, W. C.↗

Linear state feedback, quadratic weights, and closed loop eigenstructures

Results are given on the relationships between closed loop eigenstructures, state feedback gain matrices of the linear state feedback problem, and quadratic weights of the linear quadratic regulator. Equations are derived for the angles of general multivariable root loci and linear quadratic optimal root loci, including angles of departure and approach. The generalized eigenvalue problem is used for the first time to compute angles of approach. Equations are also derived to find the sensitivity of closed loop eigenvalues and the directional derivatives of closed loop eigenvectors (with respect to a scalar multiplying the feedback gain matrix or the quadratic control weight). An equivalence class of quadratic weights that produce the same asymptotic eigenstructure is defined, sufficient conditions to be in it are given, a canonical element is defined, and an algorithm to find it is given. The behavior of the optimal root locus in the nonasymptotic region is shown to be different for quadratic weights with the same asymptotic properties.

Thompson, P. M.↗

Feedback invariants for nonlinear systems

The effect of nonlinear feedback on nonlinear systems is discussed for problems where the controls are entered linearly. The invariance of certain quantities under feedback are established, and it is shown that these quantities contain enough information to determine if the system can be linearized using feedback and change of coordinates. Attention is given to scalar input systems emphasizing a new F-invariant property.

Brockett, R. W.↗

Application of stochastic optimal reduced state feedback gain computation procedures to the design of aircraft gust alleviation controllers

A stochastic linear model that accounts for process parameter and initial uncertainty, measurement noise, and a restricted number of measurable outputs was used to determine feedback gains useful for reducing the vertical acceleration which results from the presence of a vertical wind gust. Considered in the study were the influence of various feedback configurations, the effects of sensor noise, flight condition changes, and initialization procedures. Results showed that for sixth order linearized longitudinal motion, a controller with feedback on three states could be designed for effective gust alleviation taking into account both sensor noise and flight condition variation.

Sobel, K.↗