Quantification of Coriolis Cross-Coupling Intensity during Centrifugation and Sustained-G Flight Training

摘要

The time- tested acceleration physiology device, the high performance human centrifuge, has matured greatly in recent years. Advances in materials, design, controls and software have allowed for sustained G dynamic flight simulation trainers that utilize a high performance human centrifuge as a motion base. However, cross-coupled stimulation of the semicircular canals, due to head or gondola motion during centrifugation, can cause tumbling sensations that are potentially distracting, nauseogenic, and unpleasant. As a result, several efforts are underway to reduce these motion artifacts. In order to determine the effectiveness of any steps taken to minimize Cross-coupled forces, a quantifiable measurement of the tumbling artifact is necessary. In this study three devices were created and tested to quantify cross-coupling intensity. Cross-coupling was provoked during sustained-G flight simulation using a series of G-offset maneuvers and standardized head movements. Outputs were measured and each device was evaluated for effectiveness, consistency and other human factor related issues (i.e. ergonomics and ease-of-use under G-loading). This paper will cover the design and testing of all of the devices and compare these new methods with the traditional methods used for tumbling quantification.