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At least 37 records · Page 2

Design and evaluation of a sensor fail-operational control system for a digitally controlled turbofan engine

A self-learning, sensor fail-operational, control system for the TF30-P-3 afterburning turbofan engine was designed and evaluated. The sensor fail-operational control system includes a digital computer program designed to operate in conjunction with the standard TF30-P-3 bill-of-materials control. Four engine measurements and two compressor face measurements are tested. If any engine measurements are found to have failed, they are replaced by values synthesized from computer-stored information. The control system was evaluated by using a realtime, nonlinear, hybrid computer engine simulation at sea level static condition, at a typical cruise condition, and at several extreme flight conditions. Results indicate that the addition of such a system can improve the reliability of an engine digital control system.

Hrach, F. J.

Some effects of bias errors in redundant flight control systems.

The controllability and steady-state response of parallel-redundant flight control systems are examined. It is found that state components which appear in the parallel signal paths, e.g., individual actuator commands, are not controllable, although the sum of the command signals is well-behaved. If the response modes associated with these components are not stable, bias errors can cause the components to diverge, leading to the possibility of 'nuisance trips' in failure detection/isolation logic and eventual control system lockup (at saturation). Combining the inputs to the control computers assures that sensor bias will not cause divergence, while cross-strapping control strings bounds divergent response to all bias error inputs. Results of numerical solutions confirm the problem and its solutions.

Stengel, R. F.

Some effects of bias errors in redundant flight control systems

The controllability and steady-state response of parallel-redundant flight control systems are examined. It is found that state components which appear in the parallel signal paths, or individual actuator commands, are not controllable, although the sum of the command signals is well-behaved. If the response modes associated with these components are not stable, bias errors can cause the components to diverge, leading to the possibility of nuisance trips in failure detection/isolation logic and eventual control system lockup (at saturation). Combining the inputs to the control computers assures that sensor bias will not cause divergence, while cross-strapping control strings bounds divergent response to all bias error inputs. Results of numerical solutions confirm the problem and its solutions.

Stengel, R. F.

Some effects of bias errors in redundant flight control systems.

The controllability and steady-state response of parallel-redundant flight control systems are examined. It is found that state components which appear in the parallel signal paths, e.g., individual actuator-commands, are not controllable, although the sum of the command signals is well behaved. If the response modes associated with these components are not stable, bias errors can cause the components to diverge, leading to the possibility of nuisance trips in failure detection/isolation logic and eventual control system lockup (at saturation). Combining the inputs to the control computers assures that sensor bias will not cause divergence, while cross-strapping control strings bounds divergent response to all bias error inputs.

Stengel, R. F.

Reaction-control systems.

Reaction control systems for achieving and maintaining attitude, emphasizing reaction jet type

CONTROL SYSTEM

Large space system control technology status and accomplishments

In the area of antenna modeling and control, preliminary structural models were defined for two representative parabolic reflectors. A control system design evolved for attitude control of the reflectors. The controller design was based on a lumped control concept where the control hardware (sensor and actuators) was mounted at the base of the antenna. In the area of distributed control, static shape control techniques were worked out to establish a prescribed vehicle shape. The corresponding estimation process for determination of vehicle shape from selected sensor measurements was also developed. A model order reduction study was conducted to find the best preflight dynamical models for on board controller design. The problems caused by truncation of the vehicle dynamics required to minimize on board computations were investigated. Estimator designs were developed for on board detection of large structure model errors.

Rodriguez, G.

Analysis and design of a capsule landing system and surface vehicle control system for Mars exploration

The following tasks related to the design, construction, and evaluation of a mobile planetary vehicle for unmanned exploration of Mars are discussed: (1) design and construction of a 0.5 scale dynamic vehicle; (2) mathematical modeling of vehicle dynamics; (3) experimental 0.4 scale vehicle dynamics measurements and interpretation; (4) vehicle electro-mechanical control systems; (5) remote control systems; (6) collapsibility and deployment concepts and hardware; (7) design, construction and evaluation of a wheel with increased lateral stiffness, (8) system design optimization; (9) design of an on-board computer; (10) design and construction of a laser range finder; (11) measurement of reflectivity of terrain surfaces; (12) obstacle perception by edge detection; (13) terrain modeling based on gradients; (14) laser scan systems; (15) path selection system simulation and evaluation; (16) gas chromatograph system concepts; (17) experimental chromatograph separation measurements and chromatograph model improvement and evaluation.

Frederick, D. K.

Precision control system for engine fuel

System controls two or more pneumatically operated metering valves from common pneumatic source without interaction between valve controls. Unit affords independent metering of liquid from single source to two concurrent applications. Calibration and testing demonstrate complete absence of interaction between valves and corresponding flow rates.

Hawkins, D. E.