Hybrid iterative learning control of a flexible manipulator

This paper presents an investigation into the development of a hybrid control scheme with iterative learning for input tracking and end-point vibration suppression of a flexible manipulator system. The dynamic model of the system is derived using the finite element method. Initially, a collocated proportional-derivative (PD) controller using hub angle and hub velocity feedback is developed for control of rigid-body motion of the system. This is then extended to incorporate a non-collocated proportional-integral-derivative (PID) controller with iterative learning for control of vibration of the system. Simulation results of the response of the manipulator with the controllers are presented in the time and frequency domains. The performance of the hybrid iterative learning control scheme is assessed in terms of input tracking and level of vibration reduction in comparison to a conventionally designed PD-PID control scheme. The effectiveness of the control scheme in handling various payloads is also studied

Estimation of a Multimass System Using the LWTLS and a Coefficient Diagram for Vibration-Controller Design

Vibration caused by mechanical resonance and time delay caused by signal detection and transmission degrade the control performance of a servo controller for a multimass mechanical system. A precise numerical model that represents resonance characteristics and time delay is necessary to design a desired control system. This paper presents an identification method using the iterative process of the linearized and weighted total least-squares method. The proposed method derives a transfer function without any prior knowledge of resonance characteristics and time delay. The order of the transfer function is determined with a coefficient diagram that shows coefficients of the denominator of the transfer function. Identification results with an experimental setup are shown to demonstrate the performance of the proposed method. A velocity servo controller with vibration-suppression control is designed with the transfer function, and control performance is verified with the experimental setup to validate the transfer function

An Investigation of the Electrical Response of A Variable Speed Motor Drive for Mechanical Fault Diagnosis

Motor current signal analysis has been an effective way for many years to monitor electrical machines. However, little research work has been reported in using this technique for monitoring variable speed drives and their downstream equipment. This paper investigates the dynamic responses of the electrical current signals measured from a variable speed drive for monitoring the faults from a downstream gearbox. An analytical study is firstly presented in the paper to show the characteristics of the current signals due to load variation, fault effects and signal phase variation. Experimental study is then conducted under different gear fault conditions to explore the changes of the signals. Both conventional spectrum analysis and an amplitude modulation (AM) bispectrum representation are used to highlight the changes for reliable fault detection. It has been found experimentally that mechanical faults lead to much higher increases in bispectral amplitudes compared to conventional spectra and hence that detection performance of the AM bispectrum is better when the drive operates non-slip compensation mode. For slip compensation, more accurate signal analysis techniques have to be developed to differentiate the small changes in the signals

On Vibration Suppression and Trajectory Tracking in Largely Uncertain Torsional System: An Error-based ADRC Approach

In this work, a practically relevant control problem of compensating harmonic uncertainties is tackled. The problem is formulated and solved here using an active disturbance rejection control (ADRC) methodology. A novel, custom ADRC structure is proposed that utilizes an innovative resonant extended state observer (RESO), dedicated to systems subjected to harmonic interferences. In order to make the introduced solution more industry-friendly, the entire observer-centered control topology is additionally restructured into one degree-of-freedom, compact, feedback error-based form (similar to ubiquitous in practice PID controller). Such reorganization enables a straightforward implementation and commission of the proposed technique in wide range of industrial control platforms, thus potentially increasing its outreach. In order to verify the efficiency of the introduced method, a multi-criteria experimental case study using a torsional plant is conducted in a trajectory tracking task, showing satisfactory performance in vibration suppression, without the often problem of noise amplification due to high observer/controller gains. Finally, a frequency analysis and a rigorous stability proof of the proposed control structure are given

Failure Analysis Of Rotating Equipment Using Vibration Studies And Signal Processing Techniques

This thesis focuses on failure analysis of rotating machines based on vibration analysis and signal processing techniques. The main objectives are: identifying machine’s condition, determining the faults specific response, creating methods to correct the faults, and investigating available statistical analysis methods for automatic fault detection and classification. In vibration analysis, the accelerometer data is analyzed in time and frequency domain which will determine the machine’s condition by identifying the characteristic frequencies of the faults. These fault frequencies are specific for each type of machine’s faults. Therefore, they are referred to as faults’ signatures. The most common faults of the rotating machines are unbalanced load torque, misaligned shaft, looseness, and bearing faults. The second objective is to find correction methods for rectifying the faulty situations. Therefore, correction methods for the unbalanced condition are comprehensively studied and a novel method for balancing an unbalanced rotor is developed which is based on image processing methods and results in lowering machine’s vibrations. Another objective of this research is to collect huge amount of vibration data and implement statistical data analysis methods to categorize different machine’s conditions. Therefore, principal components analysis, K-nearest neighbor, and singular value decomposition are implemented to identify different faults of the rotating machines automatically. The statistical methods have demonstrated high precision in classifying different faulty situations. Fault identification at early stages will enhance machine’s health and reduces the maintenance costs significantly. The statistical methods are easy to implement, and have disaffected the need for an expert maintenance engineer and will identify the machine’s fault automatically

Fourth NASA Workshop on Computational Control of Flexible Aerospace Systems, part 2

A collection of papers presented at the Fourth NASA Workshop on Computational Control of Flexible Aerospace Systems is given. The papers address modeling, systems identification, and control of flexible aircraft, spacecraft and robotic systems