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At least 199 records · Page 11

A special purpose symbolic manipulation program for the derivation of the equations of motion for large flexible structures

This paper outlines a computer program especially tailored to the task of deriving explicit equations of motion for structures with point-connected substructures. The special purpose program is written in FORTRAN and is designed for performing the specific algebraic operations encountered in the derivation of explicit equations of motion. The derivation is by the Lagrangian approach. Using an orderly kinematical procedure and a discretization and/or truncation scheme, it is possible to write the kinetic and potential energy of each substructure in a compact vector-matrix form. Then, if each element of the matrices and vectors encountered in the kinetic and potential energy is a known algebraic expression, the computer program performs the necessary operations to evaluate the kinetic and potential energy of the system explicitly. Lagrange's equations for small motions about equilibrium can be deduced directly from the explicit form of the system kinetic and potential energy.

Hale, A. L.↗

Thermally induced response of flexible structures - A method for analysis

The phenomenon of a thermally induced spacecraft instability became apparent during the flight of the OGO-IV spacecraft in the late 1960s. The paper presents a generalized approach to the problem of obtaining a computationally practical simulation model for a thermally driven structure. The formulation is such that it can be utilized in a stand-along manner or be meshed into a general multibody simulation model such as that reported by Bodley et al. (1978). As presented, the formulation is restricted to the dynamic range for which linearized radiation is a valid assumption.

Frisch, H. P.↗

Approximation in control of flexible structures, theory and application

The sense in which the feedback control law based on an approximate finite dimensional model of a continuous structure approximates a control law which is optimal for the distributed, or infinite dimensional, model of the structure is studied. From the analysis of the various control and stability issues associated with this basis question, useful information for designing finite dimensional compensators which produce near-optimal performance in infinite dimensional systems is gained. Some of the important predictions that can be made about large-order finite dimensional control laws, using the theory of infinite dimensional Riccati equations are indicated.

Gibson, J. S.↗

Identification of large flexible structures mass/stiffness and damping from on-orbit experiments

Two methods for identifying the mass, damping and stiffness matrices of a linear vibrating system are presented. Both methods require the measurement of acceleration, velocity and displacement at various locations of the system. In the first method, the response of the system subjected to known forces is used while the second method employs the free vibration data. The unknown parameters are recovered through the standard least squares procedure. Numerical results are presented for several examples.

Hendricks, S. L.↗

System identification of large flexible structures by using simple continuum models

Simple continuum models for the representation of large truss beams and truss platforms are constructed and employed in the solution of system identification problems permitting the significant reduction of the number of structural parameters. Two simple and easily computer-implemented algorithms are presented for the estimation of a simple model's equivalent structural parameters, and analytical and numerical solutions are given for the truss beam and truss platform cases in order to illustrate the basic concepts. It is found that model simplicity, in conjunction with the principle of least square erors, yields a feasible integration of structural and identification problems.

Juang, J. N.↗

Approximation techniques for parameter estimation and feedback control for distributed models of large flexible structures

Approximation ideas are discussed that can be used in parameter estimation and feedback control for Euler-Bernoulli models of elastic systems. Focusing on parameter estimation problems, ways by which one can obtain convergence results for cubic spline based schemes for hybrid models involving an elastic cantilevered beam with tip mass and base acceleration are outlined. Sample numerical findings are also presented.

Banks, H. T.↗

Measurement of the inertial constants of a rigid or flexible structure of arbitrary share through a vibration test

The inertial constants of an aircraft rocket, or of any other structure, are defined without materializing any rotating axis. The necessary equipment is very similar to that used normally for ground vibration tests. An elastic suspension is used to obtain the total natural modes corresponding to the motions of the structure as a solid. From the measurements of the generalized masses of these modes it is possible to compute the inertial constants: (1) center of inertia; (2) tensor of inertia; and (3) mass. When the structure is not strictly rigid a purification process, based on the mean square method makes it possible to rigidify it at the price of some approximations and a few more measurements. Eventual additional masses, that are not parts of the structure, can be taken into account.

Engrand, D.↗

Approximation Techniques for Parameter Estimation and Feedback Control for Distributed Models of Large Flexible Structures

Approximation ideas that can be used in parameter estimation and feedback control for Euler-Bernoulli models of elastic systems are discussed. Focusing on parameter estimation problems, the authors outline how one can obtain convergence results for cubic spline-based schemes for hybrid models involving an elastic cantilevered beam with tip mass and base acceleration. Sample numerical findings are also presented.

Banks, H. T.↗

Passive damping augmentation for flexible structures

The present work concentrates on the application and extension of absorber design and optimization techniques to a multimode, multi-DOF, large space structure, namely the NASA space station. The principal issue addressed is the optimal tuning of several absorbers for the transient response of a multi-DOF system, including the effects of modal coupling, existing structural damping, absorber placement, and adsorber mass. The space station is subject to many transient disturbances such as docking, orbit reboost, crew motion, and payload slewing. A notable steady-state excitation source is the Science Research Centrifuge, which rotates at a frequency in the bandwidth of the primary structural modes. Because of the relatively advanced state of development of steady-state absorber design techniques, only the transient cases are considered in this study.

Sesak, J. R.↗

Verification of flexible structures by ground test

The validation of math models of large space structures (LSS) by ground tests is attempted. Concepts for two types of LSS are presented: continuous type and linked subsystems. It was concluded that ground test which simulate space conditions are not entirely reliable, that there should be an integration of testing and analyses, which then should be validated with laboratory and flight experiments.

Wada, Ben K.↗

Lanczos modes for reduced-order control of flexible structures

Lanczos mode models represent low-frequency forced response better than do normal mode models and can be developed for both continuous and finite element structural representations. It was recommended that Lanczos mode models for systems with multiple input and/or rigid body modes should be developed; numerical stability of the Lanczos algorithm should be assessed; and control system designs employing the Lanczos mode models should be attempted.

Craig, Roy R., Jr.↗

Modeling of controlled flexible structures with impulsive loads

The characteristic wave approach is developed as an alternative to modal methods which may lead to significant errors in the presence of impulsive or concentrated loads. The method is applied to periodic structures. Some special phenomena like cumulation effects and transitions to ergodicity are analyzed.

Zak, M.↗