Development of Intelligent Structures Using Finite Control Elements in a Hierarchic and Distributed Control System

摘要

Conclusions drawn from the theoretical optimization of inertial reaction devices. Three different optimization procedures yielded almost identical absorber designs providing confidence in the tuning process. The optimal passive components of the control actuator were found to be equal to those of the optimal absorber. This allows passive damping to be added without significant mass penalty. When using an inertial device to increase damping in several modes, it is desirable to tune the frequency of the device to the lowest mode and adjust the damping accordingly. Experimentally, an inertial reaction device was used effectively as both a passive vibration absorber and a control actuator, passively tuned as an absorber, verifying the results of the tuning analysis that stated that passive tuning compliments active control. This dual purpose device resulted in a mass savings, increased modal controllability, and reduced target mode disturbance transmission. Additional passive damping increases gain margin for feedback systems that are conditionally stable and allows a form of passive damping enhancement in the event of control system failure. These space realizable experiments were found to be important in determining performance limitations due to instrumentation instabilities, friction in relative motion actuators, and actuator saturation at low frequencies. Uniformity in the positive definite, dual feedback matrix allowed better performance before the onset of instrumentation/actuator instabilities because all actuators were able to exert maximum stable feedback.