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Article
Publication date: 16 January 2017

Zongwu Xie, Xiaoyu Zhao, Yu Zhang, Qi Zhang, Haitao Yang, Kui Sun and Minghe Jin

The purpose of this paper is to develop an easily implemented and practical stabilizing strategy for the hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) system. As the status of HIL system in the…

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to develop an easily implemented and practical stabilizing strategy for the hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) system. As the status of HIL system in the ground verification experiment for space equipment keeps rising, the stability problems introduced by high stiffness of industrial robot and discretization of the system need to be solved ungently. Thus, the study of the system stability is essential and significant.

Design/methodology/approach

To study the system stability, a mathematical model is built on the basis of control circle. And root-locus and 3D root-locus method are applied to the model to figure out the relationship between system stability and system parameters.

Findings

The mathematical model works well in describing the HIL system in the process of capturing free-floating targets, and the stabilizing strategy can be adopted to improve the system dynamic characteristic which meets the needs of the practical application.

Originality/value

A method named 3D root-locus is extended from traditional root-locus method. And the improved method graphically displays the stability of the system under the influence of multivariable. And the strategy that stabilize the system with elastic component has a strong feasible and promotional value.

Details

Industrial Robot: An International Journal, vol. 44 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0143-991X

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 3 January 2017

Elisa Capello, Giorgio Guglieri and Gianluca Ristorto

The aim of this paper is the implementation and validation of control and guidance algorithms for unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) autopilots.

Abstract

Purpose

The aim of this paper is the implementation and validation of control and guidance algorithms for unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) autopilots.

Design/methodology/approach

The path-following control of the UAV can be separated into different layers: inner loop for pitch and roll attitude control, outer loop on heading, altitude and airspeed control for the waypoints tracking and waypoint navigation. Two control laws are defined: one based on proportional integrative derivative (PID) controllers both for inner and outer loops and one based on the combination of PIDs and an adaptive controller.

Findings

Good results can be obtained in terms of trajectory tracking (based on waypoints) and of parameter variations. The adaptive control law guarantees smoothing responses and less oscillations and glitches on the control deflections.

Practical implications

The proposed controllers are easily implementable on-board and are computationally efficient.

Originality/value

The algorithm validation via hardware in the loop simulations can be used to reduce the platform set-up time and the risk of losing the prototype during the flight tests.

Details

Aircraft Engineering and Aerospace Technology, vol. 89 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1748-8842

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 4 January 2016

Daochun Li, Shijun Guo, Tariq Osman Aburass, Daqing Yang and Jinwu Xiang

The purpose of this study is to develop an active controller of both leading-edge (LE) and trailing-edge (TE) control surfaces for an unmanned air vehicle (UAV) with a composite…

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to develop an active controller of both leading-edge (LE) and trailing-edge (TE) control surfaces for an unmanned air vehicle (UAV) with a composite morphing wing.

Design/methodology/approach

Instead of conventional hinged control surfaces, both LE and TE seamless control surfaces were integrated with the wing. Based on the longitudinal state space equation, the root locus plot of the morphing wing aircraft, with a stability augmented system, was constructed. Using the pole placement, the feedback gain matrix for an active control was obtained.

Findings

The aerodynamic benefits of a morphing wing section are compared with a wing of a rigid control surface. However, the 3D morphing wing with a large sweptback angle produces a washout negative aeroelastic effect, which causes a significant reduction of the control effectiveness. The results show that the stability augmentation system can significantly improve the longitudinal controllability of an aircraft with a morphing wing.

Practical implications

This study is necessary to analyse the effect of a morphing wing on an UAV and perform a comparison with the rigid model.

Originality/value

The control surfaces assignment plan for trim, pitch and roll control was obtained. An active control algorism for the morphing wing was created to satisfy the required stability and control effectiveness by operating the LE and TE control surfaces according to flight conditions. The aeroelastic effect of control derivatives on the morphing aircraft was considered.

Details

Aircraft Engineering and Aerospace Technology: An International Journal, vol. 88 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0002-2667

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 December 2004

George K. Stylios

Examines the tenth published year of the ITCRR. Runs the whole gamut of textile innovation, research and testing, some of which investigates hitherto untouched aspects. Subjects…

3702

Abstract

Examines the tenth published year of the ITCRR. Runs the whole gamut of textile innovation, research and testing, some of which investigates hitherto untouched aspects. Subjects discussed include cotton fabric processing, asbestos substitutes, textile adjuncts to cardiovascular surgery, wet textile processes, hand evaluation, nanotechnology, thermoplastic composites, robotic ironing, protective clothing (agricultural and industrial), ecological aspects of fibre properties – to name but a few! There would appear to be no limit to the future potential for textile applications.

Details

International Journal of Clothing Science and Technology, vol. 16 no. 6
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0955-6222

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 3 October 2016

Lin Meng and Yongqiang Ye

This paper aims to study the short take-off characteristics and longitudinal controllability of FanWing. As a new structural plane, it has achieved great success at the air shows…

Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to study the short take-off characteristics and longitudinal controllability of FanWing. As a new structural plane, it has achieved great success at the air shows, but the existing literature is mostly on feasibility and prototype study while little on short take-off performance analysis and controllability. Thus, the paper will do some research on those two aspects.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper focuses on a certain type of a 3.5 kg FanWing and builds the longitudinal model based on its structure characteristics and operation principle. Its take-off process is simulated and the longitudinal control law is designed.

Findings

The short take-off performance and the large load characteristic are verified. To attain a better short take-off performance, several factors that influence the take-off distance are researched, and the optimal no-load take-off distance 5 m is obtained when the elevator deflection angle is −30°, the center of gravity is 0.42 m and the cross-flow fan rotation speed is 2500 r/min. The longitudinal controllability is verified through simulation. And without variable cross-flow fan rotation speed control, the longitudinal control of FanWing is the same to that of the conventional aircraft.

Practical implications

The presented efforts provide markers for designing the fan wing aircraft that would have better performances. And the control of FanWing is similar to that of a conventional airplane.

Originality/value

It is proved that FanWing can offer a better take-off performance through reasonable configuration. The paper also offers a useful reference on the control of FanWing.

Details

Aircraft Engineering and Aerospace Technology, vol. 88 no. 6
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1748-8842

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 April 1997

Howard Smith

Reports on the MSc group design project of students at the College of Aeronautics, Cranfield University. Details the design of the aircraft systems and their reliability and…

1364

Abstract

Reports on the MSc group design project of students at the College of Aeronautics, Cranfield University. Details the design of the aircraft systems and their reliability and maintainability.

Details

Aircraft Engineering and Aerospace Technology, vol. 69 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0002-2667

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 April 1996

Paul Robinson

Examines the importance of training engineers, particularly in the field of robotics. Discusses the paucity of courses at universities and compares this with the greater number of…

528

Abstract

Examines the importance of training engineers, particularly in the field of robotics. Discusses the paucity of courses at universities and compares this with the greater number of courses at technical colleges. Explains factors which inhibit the development of relevant courses; discusses specific course aims, recent developments, and practical issues.

Details

Industrial Robot: An International Journal, vol. 23 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0143-991X

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 17 November 2021

Rohollah Dehghani Firouz-Abadi and Mohammad Reza Borhan Panah

The purpose of this paper is to analyze the stability of aeroelastic systems using a novel reduced order aeroelastic model.

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to analyze the stability of aeroelastic systems using a novel reduced order aeroelastic model.

Design/methodology/approach

The proposed aeroelastic model is a reduced-order model constructed based on the aerodynamic model identification using the generalized aerodynamic force response and the unsteady boundary element method in various excitation frequency values. Due to the low computational cost and acceptable accuracy of the boundary element method, this method is selected to determine the unsteady time response of the aerodynamic model. Regarding the structural model, the elastic mode shapes of the shell are used.

Findings

Three case studies are investigated by the proposed model. In the first place, a typical two-dimensional section is introduced as a means of verification by approximating the Theodorsen function. As the second test case, the flutter speed of Advisory Group for Aerospace Research and Development 445.6 wing with 45° sweep angle is determined and compared with the experimental test results in the literature. Finally, a complete aircraft is considered to demonstrate the capability of the proposed model in handling complex configurations.

Originality/value

The paper introduces an algorithm to construct an aeroelastic model applicable to any unsteady aerodynamic model including experimental models and modal structural models in the implicit and reduced order form. In other words, the main advantage of the proposed method, further to its simplicity and low computational effort, which can be used as a means of real-time aeroelastic simulation, is its ability to provide aerodynamic and structural models in implicit and reduced order forms.

Details

Aircraft Engineering and Aerospace Technology, vol. 94 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1748-8842

Keywords

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