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Article
Publication date: 5 April 2021

Grzegorz Henryk Kopecki

Indirect (fly-by-wire) control systems for general aviation aircraft and unmanned aircraft vehicles (UAV) control systems enable the decoupling of control surfaces. This method of…

Abstract

Purpose

Indirect (fly-by-wire) control systems for general aviation aircraft and unmanned aircraft vehicles (UAV) control systems enable the decoupling of control surfaces. This method of aircraft control is different from classical approach. The purpose of the article is to show the aircraft can be controlled even if the control control surfaces are blocked.

Design/methodology/approach

The concept discussed here relies on model reference adaptive control. The approach presented requires modifications of aircraft linearized model. In this paper, an example of roll angle control is shown.

Findings

During simulations the system worked properly with control surfaces partially blocked, if the blockage appeared close to neutral position. Exemplary simulations are shown in the text.

Practical implications

The solution presented was implemented on a UAV autopilot. Hardware in the loop simulations were performed, which shows the potential of practical usage.

Originality/value

Aircraft control, as discussed in this paper, gives the possibility of aircraft control and stable flight before a fault is detected, which increases the safety level.

Details

Aircraft Engineering and Aerospace Technology, vol. 93 no. 9
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1748-8842

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 2 October 2017

Zhi Chen, Daobo Wang, Ziyang Zhen, Biao Wang and Jian Fu

This paper aims to present a control strategy that eliminates the longitudinal and lateral drifting movements of the coaxial ducted fan unmanned helicopter (UH) during autonomous…

Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to present a control strategy that eliminates the longitudinal and lateral drifting movements of the coaxial ducted fan unmanned helicopter (UH) during autonomous take-off and landing and reduce the coupling characteristics between channels of the coaxial UH for its special model structure.

Design/methodology/approach

Unidirectional auxiliary surfaces (UAS) for terminal sliding mode controller (TSMC) are designed for the flight control system of the coaxial UH, and a hierarchical flight control strategy is proposed to improve the decoupling ability of the coaxial UH.

Findings

It is demonstrated that the proposed height control strategy can solve the longitudinal and lateral movements during autonomous take-off and landing phase. The proposed hierarchical controller can decouple vertical and heading coupling problem which exists in coaxial UH. Furthermore, the confronted UAS-TSMC method can guarantee finite-time convergence and meet the quick flight trim requirements during take-off and landing.

Research limitations/implications

The designed flight control strategy has not implemented in real flight test yet, as all the tests are conducted in the numerical simulation and simulation with a hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) platform.

Social implications

The designed flight control strategy can solve the common problem of coupling characteristics between channels for coaxial UH, and it has important theoretical basis and reference value for engineering application; the control strategy can meet the demands of engineering practice.

Originality/value

In consideration of the TSMC approach, which can increase the convergence speed of the system state effectively, and the high level of response speed requirements to UH flight trim, the UAS-TSMC method is first applied to the coaxial ducted fan UH flight control. The proposed control strategy is implemented on the UH flight control system, and the HIL simulation clearly demonstrates that a much better performance could be achieved.

Details

Aircraft Engineering and Aerospace Technology, vol. 89 no. 6
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1748-8842

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 23 April 2018

Bingwei Gao and Wenlong Han

To control one of the joints during the actual movement of the hydraulically driven quadruped robot, all the other joints in the leg need to be locked. Once the joints are…

Abstract

Purpose

To control one of the joints during the actual movement of the hydraulically driven quadruped robot, all the other joints in the leg need to be locked. Once the joints are unlocked, there is a coupling effect among the joints. Therefore, during the normal exercise of the robot, the movement of each joint is affected by the coupling of other joints. This brings great difficulties to the coordinated motion control of the multi-joints of the robot. Therefore, it is necessary to reduce the influence of the coupling of the hydraulically driven quadruped robot.

Design/methodology/approach

To solve the coupling problem with the joints of the hydraulic quadruped robot, based on the principle of mechanism dynamics and hydraulic control, the dynamic mathematical model of the single leg mechanism of the hydraulic quadruped robot is established. On this basis, the coupling dynamics model of the two joints of the thigh and the calf is derived. On the basis of the multivariable decoupling theory, a neural network (NN) model reference decoupling controller is designed.

Findings

The simulation and prototype experiment are carried out between the thigh joint and the calf joint of the hydraulic quadruped robot, and the results show that the proposed NN model reference decoupling control method is effective, and this method can reduce the cross-coupling between the thigh and the calf and improve the dynamic characteristics of the single joint of the leg.

Practical implications

The proposed method provides technical support for the mechanical–hydraulic cross-coupling among the joints of the hydraulic quadruped robot, achieving coordinated movement of multiple joints of the robot and promoting the performance and automation level of the hydraulic quadruped robot.

Originality/value

On the basis of the theory of multivariable decoupling, a new decoupling control method is proposed, in which the mechanical–hydraulic coupling is taken as the coupling behavior of the hydraulic foot robot. The method reduces the influence of coupling of system, improves the control precision, realizes the coordinated movement among multiple joints and promotes the popularization and use of the hydraulically driven quadruped robot.

Details

Assembly Automation, vol. 38 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0144-5154

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 16 July 2021

Khader Zelani Shaik, Siddaiah P. and K. Satya Prasad

Millimeter wave spectrum represents new opportunities to add capacity and faster speeds for next-generation services as fifth generation (5G) applications. In its Spectrum…

Abstract

Purpose

Millimeter wave spectrum represents new opportunities to add capacity and faster speeds for next-generation services as fifth generation (5G) applications. In its Spectrum Frontiers proceeding, the Federal Communications Commision decided to focus on spectrum bands where the most spectrums are potentially available. A low profile antenna array with new decoupling structure is proposed and expected to resonate at higher frequency bands, i.e. millimeter wave frequencies, which are suitable for 5G applications.

Design/methodology/approach

The presented antenna contains artificial magnetic conductor (AMC) surface as decoupling structure. The proposed antenna array with novel AMC surface is operating at 29.1GHz and proven to be decoupling structure and capable of enhancing the isolation by reducing mutual coupling as 8.7dB between the array elements. It is evident that, and overall gain is improved as 10.1% by incorporating 1x2 Array with AMC Method. Mutual coupling between the elements of 1 × 2 antenna array is decreased by 39.12%.

Findings

The proposed structure is designed and simulated using HFSS software and the results are obtained in terms of return loss, gain, voltage standing wave ratio (VSWR) and mutual coupling. The S-Parameters of each stage of design is tabulated and compared with each other to prove the decoupling capability of AMC surface in antenna arrays.

Originality/value

The proposed structure is designed and simulated using HFSS software, and the results are obtained in terms of return loss, gain, VSWR and mutual coupling. The S-Parameters of each stage of design is tabulated and compared with each other to prove the decoupling capability of AMC surface in antenna arrays.

Details

Circuit World, vol. 47 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0305-6120

Keywords

Abstract

Details

Globalization, Political Economy, Business and Society in Pandemic Times
Type: Book
ISBN: 978-1-80071-792-3

Article
Publication date: 10 August 2010

Kemelli C. Estacio, Graham F. Carey and Norberto Mangiavacchi

The purpose of this paper is to develop a novel unstructured simulation approach for injection molding processes described by the Hele‐Shaw model.

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to develop a novel unstructured simulation approach for injection molding processes described by the Hele‐Shaw model.

Design/methodology/approach

The scheme involves dual dynamic meshes with active and inactive cells determined from an initial background pointset. The quasi‐static pressure solution in each timestep for this evolving unstructured mesh system is approximated using a control volume finite element method formulation coupled to a corresponding modified volume of fluid method. The flow is considered to be isothermal and non‐Newtonian.

Findings

Supporting numerical tests and performance studies for polystyrene described by Carreau, Cross, Ellis and Power‐law fluid models are conducted. Results for the present method are shown to be comparable to those from other methods for both Newtonian fluid and polystyrene fluid injected in different mold geometries.

Research limitations/implications

With respect to the methodology, the background pointset infers a mesh that is dynamically reconstructed here, and there are a number of efficiency issues and improvements that would be relevant to industrial applications. For instance, one can use the pointset to construct special bases and invoke a so‐called “meshless” scheme using the basis. This would require some interesting strategies to deal with the dynamic point enrichment of the moving front that could benefit from the present front treatment strategy. There are also issues related to mass conservation and fill‐time errors that might be addressed by introducing suitable projections. The general question of “rate of convergence” of these schemes requires analysis. Numerical results here suggest first‐order accuracy and are consistent with the approximations made, but theoretical results are not available yet for these methods.

Originality/value

This novel unstructured simulation approach involves dual meshes with active and inactive cells determined from an initial background pointset: local active dual patches are constructed “on‐the‐fly” for each “active point” to form a dynamic virtual mesh of active elements that evolves with the moving interface.

Details

International Journal of Numerical Methods for Heat & Fluid Flow, vol. 20 no. 6
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0961-5539

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 2 July 2018

Zhi Chen, Daobo Wang and Ziyang Zhen

To facilitate the nonlinear controller design, dynamic model of a novel coaxial unmanned helicopter (UH) is established and its coupling analysis is presented.

Abstract

Purpose

To facilitate the nonlinear controller design, dynamic model of a novel coaxial unmanned helicopter (UH) is established and its coupling analysis is presented.

Design/methodology/approach

The chattering-free sliding mode controller (SMC) with unidirectional auxiliary surfaces (UASs) is designed and implemented for the coaxial ducted fan UH.

Findings

The coupling analysis based on the established model show severe coupling between channels. For coaxial UH’s special model structure, UAS-SMC controller is proposed to reduce the coupling characteristics between channels of the UH by setting controllers’ output calculation sequence.

Originality/value

The flight control law and control logic are successfully tested in numerical simulation and hardware in the loop (HIL) simulation. The results show best hovering performances without chattering problem, even under the bounded internal dynamics and external disturbances.

Details

Aircraft Engineering and Aerospace Technology, vol. 90 no. 5
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1748-8842

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 17 October 2008

M.G. Perhinschi, M.R. Napolitano and G. Campa

The purpose of this paper is to present the development of a Matlab/Simulink‐based simulation environment for the design and testing of indirect and direct adaptive flight control

1205

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to present the development of a Matlab/Simulink‐based simulation environment for the design and testing of indirect and direct adaptive flight control laws with fault tolerant capabilities to deal with the occurrence of actuator and sensor failures.

Design/methodology/approach

The simulation environment features a modular architecture and a detailed graphical user interface for simulation scenario set‐up. Indirect adaptive flight control laws are implemented based on an optimal control design and frequency domain‐based online parameter estimation. Direct adaptive flight control laws consist of non‐linear dynamic inversion performed at a reference nominal flight condition augmented with artificial neural networks (NNs) to compensate for inversion errors and abnormal flight conditions following the occurrence of actuator or sensor failures. Failure detection, identification, and accommodation schemes relying on neural estimators are developed and implemented.

Findings

The simulation environment provides a valuable platform for the evaluation and validation of fault‐tolerant flight control laws.

Research limitations/implications

The modularity of the simulation package allows rapid reconfiguration of control laws, aircraft model, and detection schemes. This flexibility allows the investigation of various design issues such as: the selection of control laws architecture (including the type of the neural augmentation), the tuning of NN parameters, the selection of parameter identification techniques, the effects of anti‐control saturation techniques, the selection and the tuning of the control allocation scheme, as well as the selection and tuning of the failure detection and identification schemes.

Originality/value

The novelty of this research efforts resides in the development and the integration of a comprehensive simulation environment allowing a very detailed validation of a number of control laws for the purpose of verifying the performance of actuator and sensor failure detection, identification, and accommodation schemes.

Details

Aircraft Engineering and Aerospace Technology, vol. 80 no. 6
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0002-2667

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 14 May 2020

Daniel Klatt, Alina Mielke and Christian Mundt

Spinning slender bodies are affected by lateral Magnus forces and moments when exposed to cross-flow. The effects occurring for spinning bodies of revolution in combination with…

Abstract

Purpose

Spinning slender bodies are affected by lateral Magnus forces and moments when exposed to cross-flow. The effects occurring for spinning bodies of revolution in combination with stabilising or control surfaces such as canards are not yet fully explained. Therefore the present work aims to investigate the phenomena arising from the interactions of a roll-decoupled guidance unit with a spinning rear body are investigated.

Design/methodology/approach

A generic tangential-ogive-cylinder projectile equipped with deflectable canards on a roll-decoupled nose is investigated by means of 3D Reynolds-averaged Navier–Stokes simulations at Mach number 2 for angles of attack up to 22 degrees. Different canard deflection angles up to 9 degrees are considered. Global aerodynamic coefficients as well as local flow fields are analysed to explain the interactions occurring between the roll-decoupled guidance unit and the spinning rear body.

Findings

The deflected canards lead to flow interactions resulting in lateral forces and moments even without a spinning motion of the rear part. Depending on the canard deflection angles, these forces act in or against the direction of the classical Magnus effect. For angles of attack smaller than 10 degrees it is possible for the current body geometry to directly superpose the lateral effects resulting from the fins for the non-spinning model with those occurring for the non-finned but spinning model to obtain the total forces and moments acting on a spinning model with canted canards. However, the lateral effects generated on the guidance unit itself are insignificant compared to the canard-induced effects on the rear body.

Originality/value

A detailed analysis of the interaction effects arising from a decoupled guidance unit containing canards with a non-spinning/spinning rear body is performed and the underlying phenomena are revealed.

Details

International Journal of Numerical Methods for Heat & Fluid Flow, vol. 31 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0961-5539

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 18 October 2018

Belkallouche Abderrahmane, Tahar Rezoug and Laurent Dala

Aircraft noise is dominant for residents near airports when planes fly at low altitudes such as during departure and landing. Flaps, wings, landing gear contribute significantly…

Abstract

Purpose

Aircraft noise is dominant for residents near airports when planes fly at low altitudes such as during departure and landing. Flaps, wings, landing gear contribute significantly to the total sound emission. This paper aims to present a passive flow control (in the sense that there is no power input) to reduce the noise radiation induced by the flow over the cavity of the landing gear during take-off and landing.

Design/methodology/approach

The understanding of the noise source mechanism is normally caused by the unsteady interactions between the cavity surface and the turbulent flows as well as some studies that have shown tonal noise because of cavity resonances; this tonal noise is dependent on cavity geometry and incoming flow that lead us to use of a sinusoidal surface modification application upstream of a cavity as a passive acoustics control device in approach conditions.

Findings

It is demonstrated that the proposed surface waviness showed a potential reduction in cavity resonance and in the overall sound pressure level at the majority of the points investigated in the low Mach number. Furthermore, optimum sinusoidal amplitude and frequency were determined by the means of a two-dimensional computational fluid dynamics analysis for a cavity with a length to depth ratio of four.

Research limitations/implications

The noise control by surface waviness has not implemented in real flight test yet, as all the tests are conducted in the credible numerical simulation.

Practical implications

The application of passive control method on the cavity requires a global aerodynamic study of the air frame is a matter of ongoing debate between aerodynamicists and acousticians. The latter is aimed at the reduction of the noise, whereas the former fears a corruption of flow conditions. To balance aerodynamic performance and acoustics, the use of the surface waviness in cavity leading edge is the most optimal solution.

Social implications

The proposed leading-edge modification it has important theoretical basis and reference value for engineering application it can meet the demands of engineering practice. Particularly, to contribute to the reduce the aircraft noise adopted by the “European Visions 2020”.

Originality/value

The investigate cavity noise with and without surface waviness generation and propagation by using a hybrid approach, the computation of flow based on the large-eddy simulation method, is decoupled from the computation of sound, which can be performed during a post-processing based on Curle’s acoustic analogy as implemented in OpenFOAM.

Details

Aircraft Engineering and Aerospace Technology, vol. 91 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1748-8842

Keywords

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