Centrifugally Stiffened Rotor: A Complete Derivation of the Plant Model with Nonlinear Dynamics

摘要

This research presents the derivations of the nonlinear dynamic model for a novel concept vehicle called the Centrifugally Stiffened Rotor (CSR). This new unmanned vehicle is a radical departure from traditional aircraft and satellite design, but offers the potential to achieve eternal flight, which opens the doors to atmospheric satellites. An eternal flight vehicle can serve the same role as ordinary satellites, but its close proximity allows for real time two way communications (like wireless broadband internet), and with active controls it would not be constrained to geosynchronous orbits (unlike existing satellite technology). Before embarking on any control design work, a complete derivation of the nonlinear system dynamics is required. This paper accomplishes this task by formulating a complete mathematical model of the CSR plant. The paper presents the CSR system components and derives the equations of motion of the vehicle. These dynamics are implemented in a multibody dynamics structure which governs the CSR numerical simulation routine. Finally, the nonlinear system is trimmed and linearized through a novel approach designed for multibody systems. This research presents a complete description of the plant model which is the foundation for future controller development.