Motion equations of cooperative multi flexible mobile manipulator via recursive Gibbs–Appell formulation

In this paper, the developed model of an N-flexible-link mobile manipulator with revolute-prismatic joints is presented for the cooperative flexible multi mobile manipulator. In this model, the deformation of flexible links is calculated by using the assumed modes method. In additions, non-holonomic constraints of the robots’ mobile platforms that bound its locomotion are considered. This limitation is alleviated through the concurrent motion of revolute and prismatic joints, although it results in computational complexity and changes the final motion equations to time-varying form. Not only is the proposed dynamic model implemented for the multi-mobile manipulators with arms having independent motion, but also for multi-mobile manipulators in cooperation after defining gripper's kinematic constraints. These constraints are imported to the dynamic equations by defining Lagrange multipliers. The recursive Gibbs–Appell formulation is preferred over other similar approaches owing to the capability of solving the equations without the need to use Lagrange multipliers for eliminating non-holonomic constraints in addition to the novel optimized process of obtaining system equations. Hence, cumbersome simultaneous computations for eliminating the constraints of platform and arms are circumvented. Therefore, this formulation is improved for the first time by importing Lagrange multipliers for solving kinematic constrained systems. In the simulation section, the results of forward dynamics solution for two flexible single-arm manipulators with revolute-prismatic joints while carrying a rigid object are presented. Inverse dynamics equations of the system are also presented to obtain the maximum dynamic load-carrying capacity of the two-rigid-link mobile manipulators on a predefined path. Two constraints, namely the capacity of joint motors torque and robot motion stability are considered as the limitation criteria. The concluded motion equations are used to accurately control the movement of sensitive bodies, which is not achievable through the use of one platform.     

Painlevé’s paradox and dynamic jamming in simple models of passive dynamic walking

Painlevé’s paradox occurs in the rigid-body dynamics of mechanical systems with frictional contacts at configurations where the instantaneous solution is either indeterminate or inconsistent. Dynamic jamming is a scenario where the solution starts with consistent slippage and then converges in finite time to a configuration of inconsistency, while the contact force grows unbounded. The goal of this paper is to demonstrate that these two phenomena are also relevant to the field of robotic walking, and can occur in two classical theoretical models of passive dynamic walking — the rimless wheel and the compass biped. These models typically assume sticking contact and ignore the possibility of foot slippage, an assumption which requires sufficiently large ground friction. Nevertheless, even for large friction, a perturbation that involves foot slippage can be kinematically enforced due to external forces, vibrations, or loose gravel on the surface. In this work, the rimless wheel and compass biped models are revisited, and it is shown that the periodic solutions under sticking contact can suffer from both Painlevé’s paradox and dynamic jamming when given a perturbation of foot slippage. Thus, avoidance of these phenomena and analysis of orbital stability with respect to perturbations that include slippage are of crucial importance for robotic legged locomotion.     

Model-based control strategies for systems with constraints of the program type

The paper presents a model-based tracking control strategy for constrained mechanical systems. Constraints we consider can be material and non-material ones referred to as program constraints. The program constraint equations represent tasks put upon system motions and they can be differential equations of orders higher than one or two, and be non-integrable. The tracking control strategy relies upon two dynamic models: a reference model, which is a dynamic model of a system with arbitrary order differential constraints and a dynamic control model. The reference model serves as a motion planner, which generates inputs to the dynamic control model. It is based upon a generalized program motion equations (GPME) method. The method enables to combine material and program constraints and merge them both into the motion equations. Lagrange’s equations with multipliers are the peculiar case of the GPME, since they can be applied to systems with constraints of first orders. Our tracking strategy referred to as a model reference program motion tracking control strategy enables tracking of any program motion predefined by the program constraints. It extends the “trajectory tracking” to the “program motion tracking”. We also demonstrate that our tracking strategy can be extended to a hybrid program motion/force tracking.     

Trajectory sensitivity analysis of hybrid systems with sliding motion

This paper concerns hybrid control systems exhibiting the sliding motion. It is assumed that the system’s motion on the switching surface is described by index-2 differential–algebraic equations (DAEs), which guarantee the accurate tracking of the sliding motion surface. For those systems the sensitivity analysis is performed with the help of solutions to system’s linearized equations. The paper states conditions under which the solutions to the linearized equations for original DAEs and the solutions to linearized equations for underlying ordinary differential equations (ODEs) exhibit similar properties. Due to the presence of sliding motion, we restrict the class of admissible control functions to piecewise differentiable functions. The presented sensitivity analysis might be useful in deriving the weak maximum principle for optimal control problems with hybrid systems exhibiting sliding motion and in establishing the global convergence of algorithms for solving those problems.     

Global Existence Results for Oldroyd Fluids with Wall Slip

We investigate the system of nonlinear partial differential equations governing the unsteady motion of an incompressible viscoelastic fluid of Oldroyd type in a bounded domain under Navier’s slip boundary condition. We prove the existence of global weak solutions for the corresponding initial-boundary value problem without assuming that the model constants, body force or the initial values of the velocity and the stress tensor are small.     

Hamilton’s Principle as Variational Inequality for Mechanical Systems with Impact

The classical form of Hamilton’s principle holds for conservative systems with perfect bilateral constraints. Several attempts have been made in literature to generalise Hamilton’s principle for mechanical systems with perfect unilateral constraints involving impulsive motion. This has led to a number of different variants of Hamilton’s principle, some expressed as variational inequalities. Up to now, the connection between these different principles has been missing. The aim of this paper is to put these different principles of Hamilton in a unified framework by using the concept of weak and strong extrema. The difference between weak and strong variations of the motion is explained in detail. Each type of variation leads to a variant of the principle of Hamilton in the form of a variational inequality. The conclusion of the paper is that each type of variation leads to different necessary and sufficient conditions on the impact law. The principle of Hamilton with strong variations is valid for perfect unilateral constraints with a completely elastic impact law, whereas the weak form of Hamilton’s principle only requires perfect unilateral constraints and no condition on the energy.     

Self-triggered impulsive control of nonlinear time delay systems: Application to chemotherapeutic dose-regimen design

This paper proposes a self-triggered impulsive control for nonlinear time-delay systems, where the time instant of the next impulsive input is calculated based on the last measurement and the values of the systems’ parameters. Contrary to event-triggered scheme where the actuation is discrete but a continuous monitoring of the system’s states is necessary, in the self-triggered approach, both sampling and actuation are performed at distinct moments of time. Utilizing Lyapunov–Razumikhin method and by upper-bounding the system’s trajectory, the global asymptotic stability of the system’s equilibrium is verified when the rate of change in the Lyapunov function is exponential. In the general case, the global ultimate boundedness of the system’s trajectory is shown where the ultimate bound can be set arbitrarily small. As an application, for the first time, the problem of dose regimen design is formulated in the sampled data framework. Then, based on the obtained theoretical results, the appropriate regimen is suggested. In particular, time-triggered and self-triggered therapy protocols for docetaxel, a phase specific chemotherapeutic drug which is administered intravenously, are proposed. Clinical constraints such as maximum tolerated dose, discontinuous drug administration, and intermittent measurements are met in the proposed therapy protocols. According to in-silico results, both proposed self-triggered and time-triggered dose regimens outperform the traditional weekly fixed dose administration. Finally, the robustness of the proposed schemes to parameter uncertainties is evaluated through an extensive set of simulations.     

Mathematical Modeling and Simulation of a Flexible Shaft-Flexible Link System With End Mass

In this study, the equation of motion of a single link flexible robotic arm with end mass, which is driven by a flexible shaft, is obtained by using Hamilton's principle. The physical system is considered as a continuous system. As a first step, the kinetic energy and the potential energy terms and the term for work done by the nonconservative forces are established. Applying Hamilton's principle the variations are calculated and the time integral is constructed. After a series of mathematical manipulations the coupled equations of motion of the physical system and the related boundary conditions are obtained. Numerical solutions of equations of motion are obtained and discussed for verification of the model used.     

Fuzzy-hybrid modelling of an Ackerman steered electric vehicle

Physical system modelling with known parameters together with 2-D or high order look-up tables (obtained from experimental data), have been the preferred method for simulating electric vehicles. The non-linear phenomena which are present at the vehicle tyre patch and ground interface have resulted in a quantitative understanding of this phenomena. However, nowadays, there is a requirement for a deeper understanding of the vehicle sub-models which previously used look-up tables. In this paper the hybrid modelling methodology used for electric vehicle systems offers a two-stage advantage: firstly, the vehicle model retains a comprehensive analytical formulation and secondly, the ‘fuzzy’ element offers, in addition to the quantitative results, a qualitative understanding of specific vehicle sub-models. In the literature several hybrid topologies are reported, sequential, auxiliary, and embedded.In this paper, the hybrid model topology selected is auxiliary and within the same hybrid model, the first paradigm used is the vehicle dynamics together with the actuator/gearbox system. The second paradigm is the non-linear fuzzy tyre model for each wheel. In particular, conventional physical system dynamic modelling has been combined with the fuzzy logic type-II or type-III methodology. The resulting hybrid-fuzzy tyre models were estimated for a-priori number of rules from experimental data. The physical system modelling required the available vehicle parameters such as the overall mass, wheel radius and chassis dimensions. The suggested synergetic fusion of the two methods, (hybrid-fuzzy), allowed the vehicle planar trajectories to be obtained prior to the hardware development of the entire vehicle. The strength of this methodology is that it requires localised system experimental data rather than global system data. The disadvantage in obtaining global experimental data is the requirement for comprehensive testing of a vehicle prototype which is both time consuming process and requires extensive resources. In this paper the authors have proposed the use of existing experimental rigs which are available from the leading automotive manufacturers. Hence, for the ‘hybrid’ modelling, localised data sets were used. In particular, wheel-tyre experimental data were obtained from the University tyre rig experimental facilities. Tyre forces acting on the tyre patch are mainly responsible for the overall electric vehicle motion. In addition, tyre measurement rigs are a well known method for obtaining localised data thus allowing the effective simulation of more detailed mathematical models. These include, firstly, physical system modelling (conventional vehicle dynamics), secondly, fuzzy type II or III modelling (for the tyre characteristics), and thirdly, electric drive modelling within the context of electric vehicles. The proposed hybrid model synthesis has resulted in simulation results which are similar to piece-wise ‘look-up’ table solutions. In addition, the strength of the ‘hybrid’ synthesis is that the analyst has a set of rules which clearly show the reasoning behind the complex development of the vehicle tyre forces. This is due to the inherent transparency of the type II and type III methodologies. Finally, the authors discussed the reasons for selecting a type-III framework. The paper concludes with a plethora of simulation results.     

Role of Pectoral Fin Flexibility in Robotic Fish Performance

Pectoral fins play a vital role in the maneuvering and locomotion of fish, and they have become an important actuation mechanism for robotic fish. In this paper, we explore the effect of flexibility of robotic fish pectoral fins on the robot locomotion performance and mechanical efficiency. A dynamic model for the robotic fish is presented, where the flexible fin is modeled as multiple rigid elements connected via torsional springs and dampers. Blade element theory is used to capture the hydrodynamic force on the fin. The model is validated with experimental results obtained on a robotic fish prototype, equipped with 3D-printed fins of different flexibility. The model is then used to analyze the impacts of fin flexibility and power/recovery stroke speed ratio on the robot swimming speed and mechanical efficiency. It is found that, in general, flexible fins demonstrate advantages over rigid fins in speed and efficiency at relatively low fin-beat frequencies, while rigid fins outperform flexible fins at higher frequencies. For a given fin flexibility, the optimal frequency for speed performance differs from the optimal frequency for mechanical efficiency. In addition, for any given fin, there is an optimal power/recovery stroke speed ratio, typically in the range of 2–3, that maximizes the speed performance. Overall, the presented model offers a promising tool for fin flexibility and gait design, to achieve speed and efficiency objectives for robotic fish actuated with pectoral fins.     

A KAM-type Theorem for Generalized Hamiltonian Systems

In this paper we mainly concern the persistence of invariant tori in generalized Hamiltonian systems. Here the generalized Hamiltonian systems refer to the systems which may admit a distinct number of action and angle variables. In particular, system under consideration can be odd dimensional. Under the Riissmann type non-degenerate condition, we proved that the majority of the lower-dimension invariant tori of the integrable systems in generalized Hamiltonian system are persistent under small perturbation. The surviving lower-dimensional tori might be elliptic, hyperbolic, or of mixed type.     

On Global Stability of the Lotka Reactions with Generalized Mass-Action Kinetics

The three-sphere swimmer by Najafi and Golestanian is composed of three spheres connected by two arms. The case in which the swimmer can control the lengths of the two arms has been studied in detail. Here we study a variation of the model in which the swimmer’s arms are constructed according to Hill’s model of muscular contraction. The swimmer is able to control the tension developed in the active components of the arms. The two shape parameters and the tensions acting on the two arms are then obtained by solving a system of ordinary differential equations. We study the qualitative properties of the solutions, compute analytically their leading order approximation and compare them with numerical simulations. We also formulate and solve some optimisation problems, aimed at finding the actuation strategies maximising performance, for various performance measures. Finally, we discuss the structure of the governing equations of our microswimmers from the point of view of control theory. We show that our systems are control affine systems with drift.     

Stability and vibrations of an all-terrain vehicle subjected to nonlinear structural deformation and resistance

This study intends to investigate the dynamic behaviour of an all-terrain vehicle travelling on rough terrains. A nonlinear analytical model is established for quantifying the response of the vehicle with spring and damping nonlinearities to various operation and terrain conditions. Focus of the study is on the motion characteristics of the vehicle operating on rough terrains. Stability analyses are performed for the all-terrain vehicles under the operation of surmounting large obstacles and the operation of the vehicle on rough terrain surfaces. Stability conditions are provided and stable and unstable region diagrams are plotted and analyzed with the analytical model developed. Analytical solutions are provided for weakly nonlinear dynamic systems. Numerical simulations for the motion of the all-terrain vehicle are also presented.     

Handling characteristics and stability of the steady-state powerslide motion of an automobile

Powerslide of an automobile may be defined as a steady-state cornering motion at a large side slip angle of the vehicle, considerably large traction forces and a large negative steering angle of the handwheel. In this case the front wheels direct towards the outside of the turn. As this extrem driving condition, which can be seen e.g. in Rallye sports, is hardly addressed in literature so far, this paper investigates the respective handling characteristics. Therefore, a nonlinear four-wheel vehicle model is applied including nonlinear tyre characteristics, the load transfer between inner and outer wheels and the influence of the traction forces on the lateral tyre forces. A basic stability analysis reveals the unstable nature of the steady-state powerslide motion of a certain test vehicle. To approve the numerical findings, measurements have been performed with a sports utility vehicle with rear-wheel drive at various speeds on a wet circular test track.     

Control of ellipsoidal trajectories: Theory and numerical results

An integral functional is optimized over set-valued trajectories in a differential motion control model under state constraints. The motion trajectories are assumed to be ellipsoid-valued. The construction relies on a suitable version of Hamiltonian formalism. A key point is that the solutions are described as matrix functions in terms of tensor analysis. The approach is especially efficient as applied to high-dimensional systems.     

The Galilei group in an optimal control problem

In the paper, results of studying an optimal control problem for the motion of a material particle under control constraints are presented. The invariance of this problem with respect to the extended Galilei group is used. From the viewpoint of calculations, the symmetry allows us to construct a family of solutions using an extremal determined numerically. From the analytical viewpoint, the symmetry gives an opportunity to reduce the system’s dimension and to investigate the properties of extremals.     

Controllability and stabilization of programmed motions of an automobile-type transport robot

A non-linear model of the motion of an automobile-type transport robot (TR) with absolutely rigid wheels, a steering device and actuators based on DC motors, is considered. Such a model for TR motion is a non-holonomic electromechanical system and, if the dynamics of the actuators and the steering device (forces of elasticity and attenuation in its elements) is ignored, corresponds to the model of automobile motion devised by Lineikin [1]. Non-linear canonical transformations of the state and control space coordinates are constructed which reduce the initial equations of motion of the TR to a simpler canonical form, convenient for the analysis and synthesis of control systems for the TR. These transformations are used to find the conditions for the controllability of the TR as a controlled object. Algorithms are given for constructing programmed controls and programmed motions of the TR. Stabilizing control laws are synthesized that make the programmed motions of the TR asymptotically stable and guarantee that the transients will have preassigned properties     

Dynamic system optimal performances of shared autonomous and human vehicle system for heterogeneous travellers

ABSTRACT

Autonomous vehicles (AV) can solve vehicle relocation problems faced by traditional one-way vehicle-sharing systems. This paper explores the deterministic time-dependent system optimum of mixed shared AVs (SAV) and human vehicles (SHV) system to provide the benchmark for the situation of mixed vehicle flows. In such a system, the system planner determines vehicle-traveller assignment and optimal vehicle routing in transportation networks to serve predetermined travel demand of heterogeneous travellers. Due to large number of vehicles involved, travel time is considered endogenous with congestion. Using link transmission model (LTM) as a traffic flow model, the deterministic time-dependent system optimum is formulated as linear programming (LP) model to minimize the comprehensive cost including travellers’ travel time cost, waiting time cost and empty vehicle repositioning time cost. Numerical examples are conducted to show system performances and model effectiveness.     

路面方向扰动下重型汽车的横向稳定性及分岔、混沌运动

针对三轴重型汽车建立了二自由度非线性人-车-路闭环模型,考虑驾驶员控制和路面方向扰动,推导了系统动力学方程．在运用Hopf分岔理论进行分析的基础上,以临界车速为评价指标,通过数值模拟研究了轴距、预瞄距离、载重量、驾驶员控制时滞和轮胎侧偏刚度对转向稳定性的影响,并确定了转向系统的数值稳定范围．另外,还通过分岔图、时程曲线、相轨线、功率谱、Poincaré图和Lyapunov指数研究了不同车速下汽车的非线性动力学响应．结果表明,随着车速的增加汽车可能发生周期运动、拟周期运动及混沌运动,汽车的横向稳定性与车辆和驾驶员参数密切相关.     

求解Hamilton约束的新算法

利用吴方法对多项式类型带约束的Hamilton系统作了研究.给出了判断系统是否正则的一个新算法.对于正则系统,可以得到Hamilton函数和运动方程,而对退化的系统给出了两个求解约束的新算法,得到带约束的Hamilton函数和运动方程.利用符号计算软件,这几个算法都可以在计算机上实现.