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Results for “Stability in control theory”

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 109 records · Page 6

Application of narrow band control to reduce vibrations in magnetic bearing systems

The benefits of narrowband control theory for simple, open-loop stable systems are illustrated, and how the approach changes for magnetic bearing systems, which are open-loop unstable, is discussed. Magnetic bearing systems are good applications for narrowband control theory. Two sources of synchronous forces, the measurement error and the magnetic unbalance, are discussed. Both the measurement error and the magnetic unbalance manifest themselves as synchronous disturbances. It is shown that narrowband control theory for simple, open-loop stable systems provides excellent performance and good stability robustness. Because magnetic bearing systems are open-loop stable, the narrowband control approach becomes more complex. Disturbance accommodating control (DAC) theory is introduced as an effective approach to reduce vibrations in magnetic bearing systems. It is used to develop a control/estimation scheme that enables the rotor to spin about its center of mass in the presence of the measurement error disturbances.

Gaffney, Monique S.↗

On the quality of tape-cast thin films of sulfide electrolytes for solid-state batteries

All-solid-state lithium batteries (ASSLBs) have the potential to increase energy density, improve safety, and allow for lower manufacturing costs compared to conventional, liquid-based Li-ion batteries. The thickness of solid electrolyte (SE) layer dictates the cell-level energy density and it is desirable to make the SE layer as thin as possible while maintaining uniformity and defect-free. Manufacturing a high- quality, thin sulfide SE layer at large-scale, however, is challenging. Previous studies have addressed the compatibility of materials used for manufacturing thin sulfide SE films, paving the way for further investigation of processing conditions and film quality. Here we report a strong correlation between the solid loading of dispersions and the quality of tape-casted thin sulfide SE films. We also demonstrate a method for quantifying the quality of thin SE films by observing both pin-hole defects and larger heterogeneous agglomerations of particles in the films. Our thin sulfide SE films containing ~5 wt% binder are defect-free and show similar ionic conductivity compared to a cold-pressed, binder-free, thick SE pellet, resulting in an ~11X reduction of area specific resistance. Here, this work on the solid loading of the dispersion used in a scalable tape casting process provides insight for manufacturing high-quality, thin sulfide SE films and to increase the cell-level energy density of ASSLB.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Magnetic Control of Solutal Buoyancy-driven Convection: Stability - Part II

A theory is presented on the stability of solutal convection of a magnetized fluid in the presence of a magnetic field. The requirements for stability are developed and compared to experiments with a paramagnetic fluid. The theoretical predictions are in good agreement with the experiments and, analogous to results for levitation, the theory indicates that solutal convection in paramagnetic fluids cannot be completely stabilized. Computations for a model diamagnetic fluid are given and show that complete stability is possible if the equilibrium requirements are met in a particular region of the field.

Leslie, F. W.↗

On the control aspect of laser frequency stabilization

Realization of frequency stable lasers is viewed as key to progress in many areas of research; therefore, the search for more effective techniques of frequency stabilization has intensified significantly in recent years. Investigating and validating the fundamental linewidth and frequency stability limits of a Nd:YAG laser oscillator, locked to a high finesse reference cavity in the microgravity and vibration-free environment of space, is the objective of a NASA project called SUNLITE at LaRC. The objective of this paper is to further investigate the application of feedback control theory in active frequency control as a frequency stabilization technique and determine the most appropriate control strategy to be used in general and particularly in the SUNLITE Project.

Zia, Omar↗

Application of pole-placement theory to helicopter stabilization systems.

This paper is concerned with the problem of designing a controller for a complex dynamical system using output feedback. The system selected for the study is the Boeing-Vertol CH-46 tandem rotor helicopter. Feedback gains are obtained by a least square solution of the nonlinear equations derived from pole-placement theory.

Sridhar, B.↗

Prevention of resistive wall tearing mode major disruptions with feedback

Resistive wall tearing modes (RWTMs) can cause major disruptions. A signature of RWTMs is that the rational surface is sufficiently close to the wall to interact with it. For (m,n) = (2,1) modes, a RWTM requires normalized minor radius of the rational surface ρ q2 ≥ 0.75, which can also be expressed as q 75 ≤ 2. Major disruptions can occur when the criterion is satisfied. This is confirmed in simulations and theory and in a DIII-D locked mode disruption database. The q 75 < 2 criterion is valid at high β as well as at low β. A very important feature of RWTMs is that they can be feedback stabilized. If the ρ q2 criterion is not satisfied, or if the wall is ideally conducting, then the mode does not produce a major disruption, although it can produce a minor disruption. Feedback, or rotation of the mode at the wall by complex feedback, can emulate an ideal wall, preventing major disruptions. The ρ q2 criterion depends weakly on the wall radius. A simple geometric model of its dependence on wall radius is given.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗

Eigenvalue Placement and Stabilization by Constrained Optimization

A pole placement algorithm is proposed which uses constrained nonlinear optimization techniques on a finite dimensional model of a linear n degree of freedom system. Low order feedback control is assumed where r poles may be assigned; r being the rank of the sensor coefficient matrix. It is shown that by combining feedback control theory methods with optimization techniques, one can ensure the stability characteristics of a system, and can alter its transient response.

Decaro, S. M.↗

Active flutter suppression using invariant zeros/eigensystem assignment

An active control law is synthesized to raise the flutter dynamic pressure boundary of an active flexible wing wind tunnel model. The multi-input/multi-output controller has a two-degree-of-freedom structure consisting of: (1) an output dynamic compensator selected to assign system invariant zeros to shape the multivariable root loci, and (2) an output gain feedback controller, based on eigensystem assignment theory, using the compensator augmented system to stabilize the flutter mode and optimize a specified performance index. Evaluation of a digital implementation of a constant gain controller in a general batch simulation of the system reveals that the feedback system is stable over a dynamic pressure range of 50-400 psf, indicating robustness of design to dynamic pressure variations.

Srinathkumar, S.↗

Maneuvering and control of flexible space robots

This paper is concerned with a flexible space robot capable of maneuvering payloads. The robot is assumed to consist of two hinge-connected flexible arms and a rigid end-effector holding a payload; the robot is mounted on a rigid platform floating in space. The equations of motion are nonlinear and of high order. Based on the assumption that the maneuvering motions are one order of magnitude larger than the elastic vibrations, a perturbation approach permits design of controls for the two types of motion separately. The rigid-body maneuvering is carried out open loop, but the elastic motions are controlled closed loop, by means of discrete-time linear quadratic regulator theory with prescribed degree of stability. A numerical example demonstrates the approach. In the example, the controls derived by the perturbation approach are applied to the original nonlinear system and errors are found to be relatively small.

Meirovitch, Leonard↗

A comparison of force control algorithms for robots in contact with flexible environments

In order to perform useful tasks, the robot end-effector must come into contact with its environment. For such tasks, force feedback is frequently used to control the interaction forces. Control of these forces is complicated by the fact that the flexibility of the environment affects the stability of the force control algorithm. Because of the wide variety of different materials present in everyday environments, it is necessary to gain an understanding of how environmental flexibility affects the stability of force control algorithms. This report presents the theory and experimental results of two force control algorithms: Position Accommodation Control and Direct Force Servoing. The implementation of each of these algorithms on a two-arm robotic test bed located in the Center for Intelligent Robotic Systems for Space Exploration (CIRSSE) is discussed in detail. The behavior of each algorithm when contacting materials of different flexibility is experimentally determined. In addition, several robustness improvements to the Direct Force Servoing algorithm are suggested and experimentally verified. Finally, a qualitative comparison of the force control algorithms is provided, along with a description of a general tuning process for each control method.

Wilfinger, Lee S.↗

Performance of an Active Vehicle Stabilization System During Touchdown in the Presence of Propellant Slosh Dynamics

This paper characterizes the effect of propellant slosh on the performance of an active stabilization control system for the two-two-and-over symmetric landing mode during touchdown. Generalized impulse and momenta theory is used to model the instance when the landing leg strikes the ground as an inelastic collision event. For active stabilization, a rate damping controller is used to stabilize the attitude of the vehicle via onboard reaction control system. Simulation results are shown comparing the performance of the control system with and without slosh dynamics.

Jing Pei↗