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At least 127 records · Page 7

The X-43A Six Degree of Freedom Monte Carlo Analysis

This report provides an overview of the Hyper-X research vehicle Monte Carlo analysis conducted with the six-degree-of-freedom simulation. The methodology and model uncertainties used for the Monte Carlo analysis are presented as permitted. In addition, the process used to select hardware validation test cases from the Monte Carlo data is described. The preflight Monte Carlo analysis indicated that the X-43A control system was robust to the preflight uncertainties and provided the Hyper-X project an important indication that the vehicle would likely be successful in accomplishing the mission objectives. The X-43A inflight performance is compared to the preflight Monte Carlo predictions and shown to exceed the Monte Carlo bounds in several instances. Possible modeling shortfalls are presented that may account for these discrepancies. The flight control laws and guidance algorithms were robust enough as a result of the preflight Monte Carlo analysis that the unexpected in-flight performance did not have undue consequences. Modeling and Monte Carlo analysis lessons learned are presented.

Baumann, Ethan↗

Six-Degree-of-Freedom Vibration Suppressor

New system, total-rotor-isolation system (TRIS) employs liquid-inertia vibration-eliminator (LIVE) units, designed to isolate all six degrees of freedom of aircraft-fuselage dynamic response from continuously changing airloads developed by rotor. Vibration suppressor uses liquid mercury to damp vibrations. Results of flight tests indicated at least 95-percent reduction in vibration levels from rotor hub to pilot's seat.

Halwes, Dennis R.↗

Strapdown platforms using redundant two-degree-of-freedom gyros

A new concept of high reliability strapdown attitude sensing systems for space vehicles is presented. Each system utilizes a set of redundant two-degree-of-freedom gyros. An optimum system configuration is obtained for maximum system reliability and the best measurement accuracy. Improved accuracy of the final data is obtained by using the least-square data reduction technique. Each system possesses a sensor performance management feature which is capable of failure detection, faulty gyro identification, system reconfiguration, and possibly, sensor recalibration. Improvement in reliability as compared to other types of strapdown systems is demonstrated. Details of the development are described in terms of a system containing four gyros.

Hung, J. C.↗

Dynamic analysis of multi-degree-of-freedom systems using phasing matrices

A mathematical technique is presented for improved analysis of a wide class of dynamic and aeroelastic systems characterized by several degrees-of-freedom. The technique enables greater utilization of the usual eigensolution obtained from the system dynamic equations by systematizing the identification of destabilizing and/or stiffening forces. Included, as illustrative examples of the use of the technique, are analyses of a helicopter rotor blade for bending-torsion divergence and flutter and for pitch-lag/flap instability.

Bielawa, R. L.↗

Six degree of freedom simulation system for evaluating automated rendezvous and docking spacecraft

Future logistics supply and servicing vehicles such as cargo transfer vehicles (CTV) must have full 6 degree of freedom (6DOF) capability in order to perform requisite rendezvous, proximity operations, and capture operations. The design and performance issues encountered when developing a 6DOF maneuvering spacecraft are very complex with subtle interactions which are not immediately obvious or easily anticipated. In order to deal with these complexities and develop robust maneuvering spacecraft designs, a simulation system and associated family of tools are used at TRW for generating and validating spacecraft performance requirements and guidance algorithms. An overview of the simulator and tools is provided. These are used by TRW for autonomous rendezvous and docking research projects including CTV studies.

Rourke, Kenneth H.↗

Further Development of Verification Check-Cases for Six- Degree-of-Freedom Flight Vehicle Simulations

This follow-on paper describes the principal methods of implementing, and documents the results of exercising, a set of six-degree-of-freedom rigid-body equations of motion and planetary geodetic, gravitation and atmospheric models for simple vehicles in a variety of endo- and exo-atmospheric conditions with various NASA, and one popular open-source, engineering simulation tools. This effort is intended to provide an additional means of verification of flight simulations. The models used in this comparison, as well as the resulting time-history trajectory data, are available electronically for persons and organizations wishing to compare their flight simulation implementations of the same models.

Jackson, E. Bruce↗

Four-Degree-of-Freedom Platform

Hydraulic actuators make a new motion control system more compact and more efficient than previous designs that use gimbals. System moves a platform in four degrees of freedom--simultaneous pitch, roll, yaw, and displacement. Developed for flight simulators, kinematic concept may also be useful in stabilizing platforms for shipboard equipment, material-handling machinery, and construction equipment.

Chou, R. C.↗

High-reliability strapdown platforms using two-degree-of-freedom gyros.

This paper presents a new concept of high-reliability strapdown attitude sensing systems for space vehicles. Each system utilizes a set of redundant two-degree-of-freedom gyros. An optimum system configuration is obtained for maximum system reliability and the best measurement accuracy. Improved accuracy of the final data is obtained by using the least-square data reduction technique. Each system possesses a 'sensor performance management' feature which is capable of failure detection, faulty gyro identification, system reconfiguration, and, possibly, sensor recalibration. Improvement in reliability, as compared to other types of strapdown systems, is demonstrated. Details of the development are described in terms of a system containing four gyros.

Hung, J. C.↗

Virtual reality flight control display with six-degree-of-freedom controller and spherical orientation overlay

A virtual reality flight control system displays to the pilot the image of a scene surrounding a vehicle or pod having six degrees of freedom of acceleration or velocity control by the pilot and traveling through inertial space, the image itself including a superimposed figure providing the pilot an instant reference of orientation consisting of superimposed sets of geometric figures whose relative orientations provide the pilot an instantaneous feel or sense of orientation changes with respect to some fixed coordinate system. They include a first set of geometric figures whose orientations are fixed to the pilot's vehicle and a second set of geometric figures whose orientations are fixed with respect to a fixed or interstellar coordinate system. The first set of figures is a first set of orthogonal great circles about the three orthogonal axes of the flight vehicle or pod and centered at and surrounding the pilot's head, while the second set of figures is a second set of orthogonal great circles about the three orthogonal axes of a fixed or interstellar coordinate system, also centered at and surrounding the pilot's head.

Beckman, Brian C.↗

Two degree-of-freedom flutter solution for a personal computer

A computer programmed flutter solution has been written in the BASIC language for a personal computer. The program is for two degree-of-freedom bending torsion flutter applications and utilizes two dimensional Theodorsen aerodynamics. The aerodynamics were modified to include approximations for Mach number (compressibility) effects and aspect ratio (finite span) effects. Input options, user instructions, program listing, and a test case application are included.

Turnock, D. L.↗

Six-degree-of-freedom missile simulation using the ADI AD 100 digital computer and ADSIM simulation language

The use of an AD 100 computer and the ADSIM language in the six-degree-of-freedom digital simulation of an air-to-ground missile is illustrated. The missile is launched from a moving platform, typically a helicopter, and is capable of striking a mobile target up to 10 kilometers away. The missile could be any tactical missile. The performance numbers of the AD 100 show that it is possible to implement a high performance missile model in a real-time simulation without the problems associated with an implementation on a general purpose computer using FORTRAN.

Zwaanenburg, Koos↗

Robotic control of the seven-degree-of-freedom NASA laboratory telerobotic manipulator

A computationally efficient robotic control scheme for the NASA Laboratory Telerobotic Manipulator (LTM) is presented. This scheme utilizes the redundancy of the seven-degree-of-freedom LTM to avoid joint limits and singularities. An analysis to determine singular configurations is presented. Performance criteria are determined based on the joint limits and singularity analysis. The control scheme is developed in the framework of resolved rate control using the gradient projection method, and it does not require the generalized inverse of the Jacobian. An efficient formulation for determining the joint velocities of the LTM is obtained. This control scheme is well suited for real-time implementation, which is essential if the end-effector trajectory is continuously modified based on sensory feedback. Implementation of this scheme on a Motorola 68020 VME bus-based controller of the LTM is in progress. Simulation results demonstrating the redundancy utilization in the robotic mode are presented.

Dubey, R. V.↗

Flutter calculations in three degrees of freedom

The present paper is a continuation of the general study of flutter published in NACA reports nos. 496 and 685. The paper is mainly devoted to flutter in three degrees of freedom (bending, torsion, and aileron) for which a number of selected cases have been calculated and presented in graphical form. The results are analyzed and discussed with regard to the effects of structural damping, of fractional-span ailerons, and of mass-balancing. The analysis shows that more emphasis should be put on the effect of structural damping and less on mass-balancing. The conclusion is drawn that a definite minimum amount of structural damping, which is usually found to be present, is essential in the calculations for an adequate description of the flutter case. Theoretical flutter predictions are thus brought into closer agreement with the facts of experience. A brief discussion is included of a particular biplane that had experienced flutter at about 200 miles per hour. Some simplifications have been achieved in the method of calculation. (author)

Theodorsen, Theodore↗

Pulse control of single degree-of-freedom system

The possibility of using active control for structural and mechanical systems is examined. Open loop adaptive control of structural systems subjected to deterministic and stochastic excitations is considered by means of an algorithm for a single-degree-of-freedom oscillator. The algorithm is heuristic and requires continuous monitoring of the state variables, with a pulse control applied when some prespecified level of control is exceeded. The control algorithm is based on the principle that the gradual rhythmic increase of the structural response can be eliminated by applying a pulse of suitable magnitude in the proper direction, thereby avoiding the application of large forces over sustained periods of time. The optimum pulse magnitude is determined as the minimum rms response of the system. Application to linear and nonlinear systems, as well as in chatter suppression, are outlined.

Udwadia, F. E.↗

Six degree-of-freedom LIVE isolation systems, part 1

A Total Main Rotor Isolation System (TRIS) was analyzed, designed, fabricated, and bench tested for the reduction of main rotor vibration levels transmitted to the helicopter fuselage. The TRIS consists of a six degree-of-freedom passive system using six Liquid Inertia Vibration Eliminator (LIVE) units developed by Bell Helicopter Textron. The objective of the program is to develop a helicopter isolation system that will achieve 90% (or greater) isolation at minimum weight with no degradation in vehicle stability, handling qualities, alignment tolerance, and reliability or maintainability.

Halwes, D. R.↗