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At least 91 records · Page 5

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.

Adaptive control of dual-arm robots

Three strategies for adaptive control of cooperative dual-arm robots are described. In the position-position control strategy, the adaptive controllers ensure that the end-effector positions of both arms track desired trajectories in Cartesian space despite unknown time-varying interaction forces exerted through the load. In the position-hybrid control strategy, the adaptive controller of one arm controls end-effector motions in the free directions and applied forces in the constraint directions, while the adaptive controller of the other arm ensures that the end-effector tracks desired position trajectories. In the hybrid-hybrid control strategy, the adaptive controllers ensure that both end-effectors track reference position trajectories while simultaneously applying desired forces on the load. In all three control strategies, the cross-coupling effects between the arms are treated as disturbances which are rejected by the adaptive controllers while following desired commands in a common frame of reference. The adaptive controllers do not require the complex mathematical model of the arm dynamics or any knowledge of the arm dynamic parameters or the load parameters such as mass and stiffness. The controllers have simple structures and are computationally fast for on-line implementation with high sampling rates.

Seraji, H.

Dual-arm manipulators with adaptive control

The described and improved multi-arm invention of this application presents three strategies for adaptive control of cooperative multi-arm robots which coordinate control over a common load. In the position-position control strategy, the adaptive controllers ensure that the end-effector positions of both arms track desired trajectories in Cartesian space despite unknown time-varying interaction forces exerted through a load. In the position-hybrid control strategy, the adaptive controller of one arm controls end-effector motions in the free directions and applied forces in the constraint directions; while the adaptive controller of the other arm ensures that the end-effector tracks desired position trajectories. In the hybrid-hybrid control strategy, the adaptive controllers ensure that both end-effectors track reference position trajectories while simultaneously applying desired forces on the load. In all three control strategies, the cross-coupling effects between the arms are treated as disturbances which are compensated for by the adaptive controllers while following desired commands in a common frame of reference. The adaptive controllers do not require the complex mathematical model of the arm dynamics or any knowledge of the arm dynamic parameters or the load parameters such as mass and stiffness. Circuits in the adaptive feedback and feedforward controllers are varied by novel adaptation laws.

Seraji, Homayoun

Method and apparatus for adaptive force and position control of manipulators

The described and improved multi-arm invention of this application presents three strategies for adaptive control of cooperative multi-arm robots which coordinate control over a common load. In the position-position control strategy, the adaptive controllers ensure that the end-effector positions of both arms track desired trajectories in Cartesian space despite unknown time-varying interaction forces exerted through a load. In the position-hybrid control strategy, the adaptive controller of one arm controls end-effector motions in the free directions and applied forces in the constraint directions; while the adaptive controller of the other arm ensures that the end-effector tracks desired position trajectories. In the hybrid-hybrid control strategy, the adaptive controllers ensure that both end-effectors track reference position trajectories while simultaneously applying desired forces on the load. In all three control strategies, the cross-coupling effects between the arms are treated as disturbances which are compensated for by the adaptive controllers while following desired commands in a common frame of reference. The adaptive controllers do not require the complex mathematical model of the arm dynamics or any knowledge of the arm dynamic parameters or the load parameters such as mass and stiffness. Circuits in the adaptive feedback and feedforward controllers are varied by novel adaptation laws.

Seraji, Homayoun

The solid state remote power controller - Its status, use and perspective

Remote power controllers (RPCs) are solid state devices that combine in one unit the capability to perform all the needed functions of load switching, overload protection, and a direct indication of whether the load is on or off. They provide total system protection of equipment and wires. RPCs are designed to be located near the load and communicate control and status information remotely via low level signals of a few milliwatts. The design and operation of the RPC are considered, taking into account the operation of an RPC, the RPC power switch and drive circuits, control and trip circuits, fail-safe devices, and RPC overcurrent protection. Attention is given to the RPC development status, RPC applications, and RPC perspectives.

Sundberg, G. R.

Supplement to Comparison of automatic control systems

This analysis deals with the indirect regulator, wherefrom the behavior of the direct regulator is deduced as a limiting case. The prime mover is looked upon as "independent of the load": a change in the adjusting power (to be applied) for the control link (as, for example, in relation to the adjusting path (eta) with pressure valves or the rudder of vessels) does not modify the actions of the prime mover. Mass forces and friction are discounted; "clearance" also is discounted in the transmission links of the regulator.

Oppelt, W

Integrated Application of Active Controls (IAAC) technology to an advanced subsonic transport project: Test act system validation

The primary objective of the Test Active Control Technology (ACT) System laboratory tests was to verify and validate the system concept, hardware, and software. The initial lab tests were open loop hardware tests of the Test ACT System as designed and built. During the course of the testing, minor problems were uncovered and corrected. Major software tests were run. The initial software testing was also open loop. These tests examined pitch control laws, wing load alleviation, signal selection/fault detection (SSFD), and output management. The Test ACT System was modified to interface with the direct drive valve (DDV) modules. The initial testing identified problem areas with DDV nonlinearities, valve friction induced limit cycling, DDV control loop instability, and channel command mismatch. The other DDV issue investigated was the ability to detect and isolate failures. Some simple schemes for failure detection were tested but were not completely satisfactory. The Test ACT System architecture continues to appear promising for ACT/FBW applications in systems that must be immune to worst case generic digital faults, and be able to tolerate two sequential nongeneric faults with no reduction in performance. The challenge in such an implementation would be to keep the analog element sufficiently simple to achieve the necessary reliability.

Source record

Carbon Nanostructure: Its Evolution During its Impact Upon Soot Growth and Oxidation

The proposed work is a ground-based study to define and quantify soot nanostructural changes in response to growth conditions, thermal and oxidative treatments and to quantify their impact upon further oxidation and growth of highly ordered carbon materials. Experimental data relating soot oxidation rates to multiple oxidizing species concentrations will directly test for additive or synergistic soot oxidation rates. Such validation is central for assessing the applicability of individual soot oxidation rates and designing oxidative strategies for controlling soot loadings in and emissions from turbulent combustion processes. Through these experiments, new insights into soot nanostructure evolution during and its impact upon oxidation by O2 and OH will be realized. It is expected that the results of this effort will spawn new research directions in future microgravity and 1g environments. Issues raised by positive or even negative demonstration of the hypotheses of this proposal have direct bearing on modelling and controlling soot formation and its destruction in nearly every combustion process producing soot.

Source record

Portable vibration exciter

Gas-driven vibration exciter produces a sinusoidal excitation function controllable in frequency and in amplitude. It allows direct vibration testing of components under normal loads, removing the possibility of component damage due to high static pressure.

Beecher, L. C.

Thermal-Diode Sandwich Panel

Thermal diode sandwich panel transfers heat in one direction, but when heat load reversed, switches off and acts as thermal insulator. Proposed to control temperature in spacecraft and in supersonic missiles to protect internal electronics. In combination with conventional heat pipes, used in solar panels and other heat-sensitive systems.

Basiulis, A.

Solar Dynamic Power System Stability Analysis and Control

The objective of this research is to conduct dynamic analysis, control design, and control performance test of solar power system. Solar power system consists of generation system and distribution network system. A bench mark system is used in this research, which includes a generator with excitation system and governor, an ac/dc converter, six DDCU's and forty-eight loads. A detailed model is used for modeling generator. Excitation system is represented by a third order model. DDCU is represented by a seventh order system. The load is modeled by the combination of constant power and constant impedance. Eigen-analysis and eigen-sensitivity analysis are used for system dynamic analysis. The effects of excitation system, governor, ac/dc converter control, and the type of load on system stability are discussed. In order to improve system transient stability, nonlinear ac/dc converter control is introduced. The direct linearization method is used for control design. The dynamic analysis results show that these controls affect system stability in different ways. The parameter coordination of controllers are recommended based on the dynamic analysis. It is concluded from the present studies that system stability is improved by the coordination of control parameters and the nonlinear ac/dc converter control stabilize system oscillation caused by the load change and system fault efficiently.

Momoh, James A.

Skeletal mass change as a function of gravitational loading

The hypothesis that increased loading on an animal by chronic centrifugation results in an increase in skeletal mass was tested, using metabolically mature hamsters, rats, guinea pigs, Dutch rabbits and New Zealand rabbits representing a body mass range from 0.15 to 3.8 kg. Groups of 12 male animals of each species were subjeted to 2.0 g for 6 weeks on a 2.74 radius centrifuge with one degree of freedom. Subsequently, six of the animals were killed to measure whole body composition, while the rest comprised the control group, recovering for four weeks at 1.0 g prior to composition analysis. Results show a significant increase in bone mineral mass at 2.0 g. These centrifuge experiment results were then compared with the results of the USSR Cosmos Biosatellite experiment, whereby five rats experienced osteoporosis after 18.5 days of weightlessness. The opposing nature of effects that occurred at 0 g and 2.0 g is indicated schematically of particular interest is the fact that the bone mineral mass of the Cosmos 1129 flight rats was 17 pct less than that of the 1.0 g controls; whereas the bone mineral mass of the centrifuge rats was 18 pct greater than that of their 1.0 g controls. It is concluded that the bone mineral mass of the rat is directly proportional to gravitational loading over the range of 0 g to 2.0 g.

Pace, N.

Lifting-surface theory for calculating the loading induced on a wing by a flap

A method is described for using lifting-surface theory to obtain the pressure distribution on a wing with a trailing-edge flap or control surface. The loading has a logarithmic singularity at the flap edges, which may be determined directly by the method of matched asymptotic expansions. Expressions are given for the singular flap loading for various flap hinge line and side edge geometries, both for steady and unsteady flap deflection. The regular part of the flap loading must be obtained by inverting the lifting-surface-theory integral equation relating the pressure and the downwash on the wing: procedures are described to accomplish this for a general wing and flap geometry. The method is applied to several example wings, and the results are compared with experimental data. Theory and test correlate well.

Johnson, W. A.

Controller for a High-Power, Brushless dc Motor

Driving and braking torques controllable. Control circuit operates 7-kW, 45-lb-ft (61-N-m), three-phase, brushless dc motor in both motor and generator modes. In motor modes, energy from power source is pulse-width modulated to motor through modified "H-bridge" circuit, in generator mode, energy from motor is pulse-width modulated into bank of load resistors to provide variable braking torques. Circuit provides high-resolution torque control in both directions over wide range of speeds and torques. Tested successfully at bus voltages up to 200 Vdc and currents up to 45 A.

Fleming, David J.

Guideline For Design Of Adaptive Structures

Guideline for design of adaptive structures specifies active members should be located at positions of maximum strain energy. Equations of motion of flexible structures formulated in terms of kinetic energies, strain energies, and direct measurements of forces. Maintaining precise dimensional control during assembly essential to assembly without large external loads or to prevent jamming of substructure preventing successful deployment. Active members used to prevent "binding" during deployment of structure. Then structure adjusted to precision shape requirement and adjusted during operation as required.

Utku, Senol

A Trade-Off Study Between the Primary and Transient Responses of Grid-Forming Inverters

The control parameters of the grid-forming (GFM) inverter-based resources (IBRs) directly impact power system dynamics. The primary control requires the GFM inverter to balance generation and load. It is also preferred that a GFM inverter maintain the terminal frequency after a power system fault. In this paper, we investigate the trade-off between the primary control objective and the transient response. To quantify the transient performance of the GFM inverter, we introduce a new real-time transient stability index (TSI). This index plays a crucial role in our investigation, as it allows us to compare the performance trade-offs of different sets of GFM control parameters.

Lin, Xuheng

Controlled impact demonstration airframe bending bridges

The calibration of the KRASH and DYCAST models for transport aircraft is discussed. The FAA uses computer analysis techniques to predict the response of controlled impact demonstration (CID) during impact. The moment bridges can provide a direct correlation between the predictive loads or moments that the models will predict and what was experienced during the actual impact. Another goal is to examine structural failure mechanisms and correlate with analytical predictions. The bending bridges did achieve their goals and objectives. The data traces do provide some insight with respect to airframe loads and structural response. They demonstrate quite clearly what's happening to the airframe. A direct quantification of metal airframe loads was measured by the moment bridges. The measured moments can be correlated with the KRASH and DYCAST computer models. The bending bridge data support airframe failure mechanisms analysis and provide residual airframe strength estimation. It did not appear as if any of the bending bridges on the airframe exceeded limit loads. (The observed airframe fracture was due to the fuselage encounter with the tomahawk which tore out the keel beam.) The airframe bridges can be used to estimate the impact conditions and those estimates are correlating with some of the other data measurements. Structural response, frequency and structural damping are readily measured by the moment bridges.

Soltis, S. J.

Multi-Objective Optimal Control of High Aspect Ratio Wing Wind Tunnel Model

This paper presents the design of a multi-objective optimal controller for the 13.5 aspect ratio Common Research Model (CRM) wind tunnel model. A Pareto front analysis is performed to provide the optimal tradeoff between the competing objectives - gust load alleviation, maneuver load alleviation, and drag minimization - so that the weighting matrices for the control law are selected optimally. Also presented are two formulations of the controller: a state feedback with Kalman filter design, and an output feedback form where sensors are used directly for feedback control. The controller demonstrates a reduced peak-to-peak strain of 45.78% while also reducing drag and mean bending moment. An output feedback formulation for gust load alleviation is formulated and produces a 53% reduction in the strain response due to a gust input.

Gust Load Alleviation