Robust and real-time control of magnetic bearings for space engines

Currently, NASA Lewis Research Center is developing magnetic bearings for Space Shuttle Main Engine (SSME) turbopumps. The control algorithms which have been used are based on either the proportional-intergral-derivative control (PID) approach or the linear quadratic (LQ) state space approach. These approaches lead to an acceptable performance only when the system model is accurately known, which is seldom true in practice. For example, the rotor eccentricity, which is a major source of vibration at high speeds, cannot be predicted accurately. Furthermore, the dynamics of a rotor shaft, which must be treated as a flexible system to model the elastic rotor shaft, is infinite dimensional in theory and the controller can only be developed on the basis of a finite number of modes. Therefore, the development of the control system is further complicated by the possibility of closed loop system instability because of residual or uncontrolled modes, the so called spillover problem. Consequently, novel control algorithms for magnetic bearings are being developed to be robust to inevitable parametric uncertainties, external disturbances, spillover phenomenon and noise. Also, as pointed out earlier, magnetic bearings must exhibit good performance at a speed over 30,000 rpm. This implies that the sampling period available for the design of a digital control system has to be of the order of 0.5 milli-seconds. Therefore, feedback coefficients and other required controller parameters have to be computed off-line so that the on-line computational burden is extremely small. The development of the robust and real-time control algorithms is based on the sliding mode control theory. In this method, a dynamic system is made to move along a manifold of sliding hyperplanes to the origin of the state space. The number of sliding hyperplanes equals that of actuators. The sliding mode controller has two parts; linear state feedback and nonlinear terms. The nonlinear terms guarantee that the systems would reach the intersection of all sliding hyperplanes and remain on it when bounds on the errors in the system parameters and external disturbances are known. The linear part of the control drives the system to the origin of state space. Another important feature is that the controller parameter can be computed off-line. Consequently, on-line computational burden is small

Robust-Adaptive Magnetic Bearing Control of Flexible Matrix Composite Rotorcraft Driveline

Recent studies demonstrate that a key advantage of Flexible Matrix Composite (FMC) shaft technology is the ability to accommodate misalignments without need for segmenting or flexible couplings as required by conventional alloy and graphite/epoxy composite shafts. While this is indeed a very promising technology for rotorcraft driveshafts, the high damping loss-factor and thermal stiffness and damping sensitivities of the urethane matrix, makes FMC shafting more prone to self-heating and whirl instabilities. Furthermore, the relatively low bending stiffness and critical speeds of FMC shafts makes imbalance vibration a significant challenge to supercritical operation. To address these issues and advance the state-of-the-art, this research explores Active Magnetic Bearing (AMB) technology together with a robust-adaptive hybrid H&#; feedback/Synchronous Adaptive Vibration Control law designed to ensure stable supercritical operation of a prototype FMC rotorcraft driveline. The effectiveness of the proposed new approach is demonstrated through analysis of a helicopter driveline testbed

Cellular automata inspired multistable origami metamaterials for mechanical learning

Recent advances in multistable metamaterials reveal a link between structural configuration transition and Boolean logic, heralding a new generation of computationally capable intelligent materials. To enable higher-level computation, existing computational frameworks require the integration of large-scale networked logic gates, which places demanding requirements on the fabrication of materials counterparts and the propagation of signals. Inspired by cellular automata, we propose a novel computational framework based on multistable origami metamaterials by incorporating reservoir computing, which can accomplish high-level computation tasks without the need to construct a logic gate network. This approach thus eleimates the demanding requirements for fabrication of materials and signal propagation when constructing large-scale networks for high-level computation in conventional mechano-logic. Using the multistable stacked Miura-origami metamaterial as a validation platform, digit recognition is successfully implemented through experiments by a single actuator. Moreover, complex tasks, such as handwriting recognition and 5-bit memory tasks, are also shown to be feasible with the new computation framework. Our research represents a significant advancement in developing a new generation of intelligent materials with advanced computational capabilities. With continued research and development, these materials could have a transformative impact on a wide range of fields, from computational science to material mechano-intelligence technology and beyond.Comment: 24 pages, 7 figure

Experimental Study of a Membrane Antenna Surface Adaptive Control System

Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/90658/1/AIAA-2011-1828-780.pd

Programmable Selfâ Locking Origami Mechanical Metamaterials

Developing mechanical metamaterials with programmable properties is an emerging topic receiving wide attention. While the programmability mainly originates from structural multistability in previously designed metamaterials, here it is shown that nonflatâ foldable origami provides a new platform to achieve programmability via its intrinsic selfâ locking and reconfiguration capabilities. Working with the singleâ collinear degreeâ 4 vertex origami tessellation, it is found that each unit cell can selfâ lock at a nonflat configuration and, therefore, possesses wide design space to program its foldability and relative density. Experiments and numerical analyses are combined to demonstrate that by switching the deformation modes of the constituent cell from prelocking folding to postlocking pressing, its stiffness experiences a sudden jump, implying a limitingâ stopper effect. Such a stiffness jump is generalized to a multisegment piecewise stiffness profile in a multilayer model. Furthermore, it is revealed that via strategically switching the constituent cells’ deformation modes through passive or active means, the nâ layer metamaterial’s stiffness is controllable among 2n target stiffness values. Additionally, the piecewise stiffness can also trigger bistable responses dynamically under harmonic excitations, highlighting the metamaterial’s rich dynamic performance. These unique characteristics of selfâ locking origami present new paths for creating programmable mechanical metamaterials with in situ controllable mechanical properties.An origami mechanical metamaterial with programmable lockingâ induced piecewise stiffness is demonstrated. The kinematical and mechanical properties of the metamaterial can be strategically tuned by switching the deformation mode of the constituent cells between prelocking folding and postlocking pressing. The capabilities uncovered present new pathways for achieving programmability in metamaterials and metastructures.Peer Reviewedhttps://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/143652/1/adma201706311_am.pdfhttps://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/143652/2/adma201706311-sup-0001-S1.pdfhttps://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/143652/3/adma201706311.pd

Architected Origami Materials: How Folding Creates Sophisticated Mechanical Properties

Origami, the ancient Japanese art of paper folding, is not only an inspiring technique to create sophisticated shapes, but also a surprisingly powerful method to induce nonlinear mechanical properties. Over the last decade, advances in crease design, mechanics modeling, and scalable fabrication have fostered the rapid emergence of architected origami materials. These materials typically consist of folded origami sheets or modules with intricate 3D geometries, and feature many unique and desirable material properties like auxetics, tunable nonlinear stiffness, multistability, and impact absorption. Rich designs in origami offer great freedom to design the performance of such origami materials, and folding offers a unique opportunity to efficiently fabricate these materials at vastly different sizes. Here, recent studies on the different aspects of origami materialsâ geometric design, mechanics analysis, achieved properties, and fabrication techniquesâ are highlighted and the challenges ahead discussed. The synergies between these different aspects will continue to mature and flourish this promising field.Origami, the ancient art of paper folding, has become a framework of designing and constructing architected materials. These materials consist of folded sheets or modules with intricate geometries, and feature many unique and desirable mechanical properties. Recent progress in architected origami materials is highlighted, especially the foldingâ induced mechanics, and the challenges ahead are discussed.Peer Reviewedhttps://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/147779/1/adma201805282_am.pdfhttps://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/147779/2/adma201805282.pd

Variable-Speed Simulation of a Dual-Clutch Gearbox Tiltrotor Driveline

This investigation explores the variable-speed operation and shift response of a prototypical two-speed dual-clutch transmission tiltrotor driveline in forward flight. Here, a Comprehensive Variable-Speed Rotorcraft Propulsion System Modeling (CVSRPM) tool developed under a NASA funded NRA program is utilized to simulate the drive system dynamics. In this study, a sequential shifting control strategy is analyzed under a steady forward cruise condition. This investigation attempts to build upon previous variable-speed rotorcraft propulsion studies by 1) including a fully nonlinear transient gas-turbine engine model, 2) including clutch stick-slip friction effects, 3) including shaft flexibility, 4) incorporating a basic flight dynamics model to account for interactions with the flight control system. Through exploring the interactions between the various subsystems, this analysis provides important insights into the continuing development of variable-speed rotorcraft propulsion systems