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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 19 records

Research of TREETOPS Structural Dynamics Controls Simulation Upgrade

Under the provisions of contract number NAS8-40194, which was entitled 'TREETOPS Structural Dynamics and Controls Simulation System Upgrade', Oakwood College contracted to produce an upgrade to the existing TREETOPS suite of analysis tools. This suite includes the main simulation program, TREETOPS, two interactive preprocessors, TREESET and TREEFLX, an interactive post processor, TREEPLOT, and an adjunct program, TREESEL. A 'Software Design Document', which provides descriptions of the argument lists and internal variables for each subroutine in the TREETOPS suite, was established. Additionally, installation guides for both DOS and UNIX platforms were developed. Finally, updated User's Manuals, as well as a Theory Manual, were generated.

Yates, Rose M.↗

Structural Dynamics and Control Interaction of Flexible Structures

A workshop on structural dynamics and control interaction of flexible structures was held to promote technical exchange between the structural dynamics and control disciplines, foster joint technology, and provide a forum for discussing and focusing critical issues in the separate and combined areas. Issues and areas of emphasis were identified in structure-control interaction for the next generation of flexible systems.

Ryan, Robert S.↗

Experimental research on structural dynamics and control

This report describes an apparatus at the NASA Langley Research Center for conducting research on dynamics and control of structural dynamics systems. The apparatus consists of a 3.66 m (12 ft.) long flexible beam to which are attached four electromagnetic actuators, nine noncontacting sensors to measure deflection of beam at various locations, and four strain gage type load cells one at each actuator attachment point. The important feature of the apparatus is that the actuators can be controlled and deflection and load sensor data can be processed in real time using the research centers CDC Cyber 175 computer system - thereby allowing research to be conducted on structural dynamics systems using advanced control laws. The facility is described in the report along with a detailed discussion of the actuators used.

Montgomery, R. C.↗

Structural Dynamics and Control Interaction of Flexible Structures

A Workshop was held to promote technical exchange between the structural dynamic and control disciplines, foster joint technology, and provide a forum for discussing and focusing critical issues in the separate and combined areas. The workshop was closed by a panel meeting. Panel members' viewpoints and their responses to questions are included.

Ryan, Robert S.↗

SPS structural dynamics and control workshop: Findings and recommendations

The structural dynamics and control of the Solar Power Satellite (SPS), a concept which holds promise for meeting a portion of the energy needs of the United States beyond the year 2000 are examined. The assumptions, methodologies and conclusions of existing SPS studies in the areas of structural dynamics and control (with structural design and materials also being considered) are assessed.

Ried, R. C.↗

Controls-structures-interaction dynamics during RCS control of the Orbiter/SRMS/SSF configuration

During the assembly flights of the Space Station Freedom (SSF), the Orbiter will either dock with the SSF and retract to the final berthed position, or will grapple the SSF using the Shuttle Remote Manipulator System (SRMS) and maneuver the SRMS coupled vehicles to their final berthed position. The SRMS method is expected to take approximately one to one and a half hours to complete and require periodic attitude corrections by either the Orbiter or the SSF reaction control system (RCS) or continuous control by a control moment gyro (CMG) system with RCS desaturation as required. Free drift of the attached vehicles is not currently thought to be acceptable because the desired system attitude will quickly deteriorate due to unbalanced gravity gradient and aerodynamic torques resulting in power generation problems, thermodynamic control problems, and communications problems. This paper deals with the simulation and control of the SRMS during trunnion/latch interaction dynamics and during RCS maneuvers. The SRMS servo drive joints have highly non-linear elastic characteristics which tend to degrade sensitive control strategies. In addition the system natural frequencies are extremely low and depend on the drive joint deflections and SRMS geometric position. The lowest mean period of oscillation for the Orbiter/SRMS/SSF(MB6) system in brakes hold mode positioned near the final berthed position is approximately 120 seconds. A detailed finite element model of the SRMS has been developed and used in a newly developed SRMS systems dynamics simulation to investigate the non-linear transient response dynamics of the Orbiter/SRMS/SSF systems. The present SRMS control strategy of brakes only recommended by the Charles Draper Labs is contrasted with a robust controller developed by the authors. The robust controller uses an optimal inear quadratic regulator (LQR) to optimally place the closed-loop poles of a multivariable continuous-time system within the common region of an open sector with the sector angle plus or minus 45 degrees from the negative real axis, and the left-hand side of a parallel to the imaginary axis in the complex s-plane. This guarantees that the critical damping ratio for the desired control modes is equal to or in excess of 0.707. The matrix sign function is used for solving the Riccati equations which appear in the controller design procedure. Fast and stable algorithms have recently been developed for the computation of the matrix sign function. Simulation results are given which demonstrate the potential CSI involvement for the current SRMS control system and the proposed control system.

Schliesing, J. A.↗

COFS 2: 3-D dynamics and controls technology

The Control of Flexible Structures (COFS) 2 project is a complex and ambitious undertaking which will address several critical technology areas. Among them are modeling, structural dynamics, controls, and ground testing issues which are not only germane to this effort, but to other large space structure programs being contemplated. This effort requires the early integration of controls and structural dynamics considerations in order to achieve mission success. Several technology advances must be achieved in the areas of system modelling, control synthesis and methodology, sensor/actuator development, and ground testing techniques for system evaluation and on-orbit performance prediction and verification. This project offers a unique opportunity for the integration of several disciplines to produce technology advances which will benefit many future programs. In addition, the opportunities available to participate in the various levels in the phase of this project, e.g., analytical development and modelling, ground testing, and flight testing, permit for the involvement of a significant number of interested researchers and organizations from government, universities and industry.

Pyle, Jon S.↗

Structural dynamics and control of large space structures

The focus of the workshop was the basic research program assembled by LaRC to address the fundamental technology deficiencies that were identified in several studies on large space systems (LSS) conducted by NASA in the last several years. The staffs of the respective participants were assembled at the workshop to review the current state of research in the control technology for large structural systems and to plan the efforts that would be pursued by their respective organizations.

Lightner, E. B.↗

Structural Dynamics and Control of Large Space Structures, 1982

Basic research in the control of large space structures is discussed. Active damping and control of flexible beams, active stabilization of flexible antenna feed towers, spacecraft docking, and robust pointing control of large space platform payloads are among the topics discussed.

Brumfield, M. L.↗

Assessment of international payload requirements on the dual keel space station - A systems analysis capabilities example

In the early stages of spacecraft conceptual design, an investigation of subsystem requirements and their impacts on the total system provides insight into many aspects of the spacecraft design. Such an analysis has been performed on the dual keel space station to examine the system effects contributed by three international payloads provided by the Canadian, Japanese, and European Space Agencies. This example is used to illustrate some capabilities of available computer-driven tools and methods for a system analysis. Two space station configurations were examined, one without international payloads (the baseline configuration for the study) and one with the three international payloads. Each configuration was evaluated to define viewing limitations, rigid body dynamics and controls, structural dynamics, orbit lifetime, environmental control and life support, and thermal management effects. The performance, based on each subsystem evaluation, was then compared for the two configurations, and the results and recommendations are presented.

Allen, C. L.↗

Workshop on Structural Dynamics and Control Interaction of Flexible Structures

The Hubble Space Telescope features the most exacting line of sight jitter requirement thus far imposed on a spacecraft pointing system. Consideration of the fine pointing requirements prompted an attempt to isolate the telescope from the low level vibration disturbances generated by the attitude control system reaction wheels. The primary goal was to provide isolation from axial component of wheel disturbance without compromising the control system bandwidth. A passive isolation system employing metal springs in parallel with viscous fluid dampers was designed, fabricated, and space qualified. Stiffness and damping characteristics are deterministic, controlled independently, and were demonstrated to remain constant over at least five orders of input disturbance magnitude. The damping remained purely viscous even at the data collection threshold of .16 x .000001 in input displacement, a level much lower than the anticipated Hubble Space Telescope disturbance amplitude. Vibration attenuation goals were obtained and ground test of the vehicle has demonstrated the isolators are transparent to the attitude control system.

Davis, L. P.↗

Control of flexible structures and the research community

The Control of Flexible Structures II (CPFS) program is a complex and ambitious undertaking which addresses several critical technology areas. Among them are modeling, structural dynamics, control, and ground testing issues, which are also applicable to other large space structure programs being contemplated. This effort requires early integration of controls and structural dynamic considerations. Several technological advances must be achieved in the areas of system modeling, control synthesis and methodology, sensor/actuator development, and ground testing techniques for system evaluation and on-orbit performance prediction and verification. This program offers an opportunity for the integration of several disciplines to produce technology advances which will benefit many future programs.

Keckler, Claude R.↗

Adaptive identification and control of structural dynamics systems using recursive lattice filters

A new approach for adaptive identification and control of structural dynamic systems by using least squares lattice filters thar are widely used in the signal processing area is presented. Testing procedures for interfacing the lattice filter identification methods and modal control method for stable closed loop adaptive control are presented. The methods are illustrated for a free-free beam and for a complex flexible grid, with the basic control objective being vibration suppression. The approach is validated by using both simulations and experimental facilities available at the Langley Research Center.

Sundararajan, N.↗

Space structure (dynamics and control) theme development

A study was made to define the long-range technical objectives and goals for the Space Structure (Dynamics and Control) theme area. The approach was to evaluate ongoing and proposed technology activities such that the technology gaps and voids could be identified. After the technology needs were identified, a set of recommended experimental activities was defined including the technical objectives of each and their relationship.

Russell, Richard A.↗

Structural dynamic and control considerations for Space Station transportation node concepts

This paper discusses the results of two studies which investigated the expected low frequency dynamic characteristics of conceptual Mars and lunar transportation nodes. Both concepts are based on evolution of the assembly-complete Space Station Freedom configuration by the addition of keels, booms, and modules. Finite-element models of the concepts were developed and a set of undamped modes and frequencies was computed below 2 Hz for each concept. The modes were used as basis vectors for modal analyses describing the dynamic response of the structures to typical reboost maneuvers. The reboost maneuvers had fairly complex loading characteristics since the reaction control system (RCS) jets used for the maneuvers were off-modulated to control pitch and yaw attitude. Interaction of the dynamic response of the structure with the closed-loop attitude control system is investigated for both concepts. The elastic response in the solar dynamic region is investigated to evaluate the severity of the dynamic environment, since the solar dynamic systems have stringent sunpointing requirements which must be maintained during the reboost maneuver.

Cooper, Paul A.↗

Space Technology Experiment Platform (STEP). A Shuttle-borne support facility for structures, structural dynamics, and control technology flight experiments

The Space Transportation System (STS) is used for technology experiments in space. The Space Technology Experiment Platform (STEP) is a Shuttle-borne experiment support facility for use by structures, structural dynamics, and controls technology flight experiments. STEP represents a key element in the commitment to STS utilization. The STEP concept and definition process is discussed, and the results obtained to date on the configuration and function capability are summarized, and preliminary schedule information is presented.

Harris, J. E.↗

Ground facility for large space structures dynamics and control verification

NASA Marshall Space Flight Center has developed a facility in which closed loop control of Large Space Structures (LSS) can be demonstrated and verified. The main objective of the facility is to verify LSS control system techniques so that on-orbit performance can be unsured. The facility consists of an LSS test article or payload which is connected to a 3-axis angular pointing mount assembly that provides control torque commands. The angular pointing mount assembly is attached to a base excitation system which will simulate disturbances most likely to occur for Orbiter and DOD payloads. The control computer contains the calibration software, the reference systems, the alignment procedures, the telemetry software, and the control algorithms. The total system is suspended in such a fashion that the LSS test article has the characteristics common to all LSS.

Waites, Henry↗

Ground facility for Large Space Structures dynamics and control verification

NASA Marshall Space Flight Center has developed a facility in which closed loop control of Large Space Structures (LSS) can be demonstrated and verified. The main objective of the facility is to verify LSS control system techniques so that on-orbit performance can be ensured. The facility consists of an LSS test article or payload which is connected to a 3-axis angular pointing mount assembly that provides control torque commands. The angular pointing mount assembly is attached to a base excitation system which will simulate disturbances most likely to occur for Orbiter and DOD payloads. The control computer contains the calibration software, the reference systems, the alignment procedures, the telemetry software, and the control algorithms. The total system is suspended in such a fashion that the LSS test article has the characteristics common to all LSS.

Waites, Henry↗