On discontinuous motions in systems with unilateral constraints

Mechanical systems with a finite number of degrees of freedom, subject to one or more unilateral geometric constraints, are considered. Apart from the main forms of motion—flying, supported motion and non-degenerate collisions—such systems also show more complex, discontinuous motions, including infinitely many impacts in any neighbourhood of the starting time. These motions are possible not only when no continuous motions exist, but also together with continuous motions [1]. It is proved that, in the case of ideal constraints, if the reactions of the constraints at the starting time are non-zero, there cannot be any discontinuous motion. In systems with dry friction there is yet another type of discontinuity, namely, tangential impact at zero approach velocity. Sufficient conditions for continuity of the motion are derived for this case also. The conditions are verified with examples that use the usual models of impact.     

A Prediction Model for State Observation and Model Predictive Control of Biped Robots

Biped walking robots present a class of mechanical systems with many different challenges such as nonlinear multi-body dynamics, a large number of degrees of freedom and unilateral contacts. The latter impose constraints for physically feasible motions and in stabilization methods as the robot can only interact due to pressure forces with the environment. This limitation can cause the system to fall under unknown disturbances such as pushing or uneven terrain. In order to face such problems, an accurate and fast model of the robot to observe the current state and predict the state evolution into the future has to be used. This work presents a nonlinear prediction model with two passive degrees of freedom (dof), point masses and compliant unilateral contacts. We show that the model is applicable for real-time model predictive optimization of the robot's motion. Experiments on the biped robot LOLA [1] underline the effectiveness of the proposed model to increase the system's long term stability under large unknown disturbances. (© 2016 Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

An existence result for non-smooth vibro-impact problems

We are interested in mechanical systems with a finite number of degrees of freedom submitted to frictionless unilateral constraints. We consider the case of a convex, non-smooth set of admissible positions given by , ν?1, and we assume inelastic shocks at impacts. We propose a time-discretization of the measure differential inclusion which describes the dynamics and we prove the convergence of the approximate solutions to a limit motion which satisfies the constraints. Moreover, if the geometric properties ensuring continuity on data hold at the limit, we show that the transmission of velocities at impacts follows the inelastic shocks rule.     

Controllable Systems with Impacts

Control problems in dynamic systems allowing pulse forces due to the presence of unilateral active constraints are considered. This paper gives an analysis of controls used during impact interactions. A new kind of pulse controls arising at the time of impact is introduced. These problems are typical for the so-called vibroimpact systems with numerous applications, whose number is constantly increasing in recent years. The goal of the paper is to describe the phase of a controllable impact and to determine the constraint reactions.     

Generalized cyclic displacements : PMM vol. 37, n6, 1973, pp. 1135–1137

We consider the generalized cyclic displacements of holonomic mechanical systems with a finite number of degrees of freedom, and their application to integration of the equations of motion.N.G.Chetaev in [1] turned his attention to the formulation of problems dealing with general properties of mechanical systems and connected with the groups of transformations which leave the basic mechanical functions invariant. It was he who introduced [2] the concept of cyclic displacement of a mechanical system with smooth holonomic constraints. This concept was enlarged in [3] in the course of considering a particular case of motion of a mechanical system with three degrees of freedom.     

A special set of eigenvectors for the hyperbolic Sutherland systems

We construct the integrals of motion for Sutherland hyperbolic quantum systems of particles with internal degrees of freedom (su(n) spins) interacting with an external field of the Morse potential of an arbitrary strength τ ² . These systems are confined if certain constraints are imposed on τ, the pair coupling constant λ, and the number of particles. The ground state is described by a wave function of the Jastrow form.     

Numerical integration of differential-algebraic equations with mixed holonomic and control constraints

The present work aims at the incorporation of control (or servo) constraints into finite–dimensional mechanical systems subject to holonomic constraints. In particular, we focus on underactuated systems, defined as systems in which the number of degrees of freedom exceeds the number of inputs. The corresponding equations of motion can be written in the form of differential–algebraic equations (DAEs) with a mixed set of holonomic and control constraints. Apart from closed–loop multibody systems, the present formulation accommodates the so–called rotationless formulation of multibody dynamics. To this end, we apply a specific projection method to the DAEs in terms of redundant coordinates. A similar projection approach has been previously developed in the framework of generalized coordinates by Blajer & Kołodziejczyk [1]. (© 2008 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

A new approach to the incorporation of servo constraints in multibody dynamics

A new index reduction approach is developed to solve the servo constraint problems [2] in the inverse dynamics simulation of underactuated mechanical systems. The servo constraint problem of underactuated systems is governed by differential algebraic equations (DAEs) with high index. The underlying equations of motion contain both holonomic constraints and servo constraints in which desired outputs (specified in time) are described in terms of state variables. The realization of servo constraints with the use of control forces can range from orthogonal to tangential [3]. Since the (differentiation) index of the DAEs is often higher than three for underactuated systems, in which the number of degrees of freedom is greater than the control outputs/inputs, we propose a new index reduction method [1] which makes possible the stable numerical integration of the DAEs. We apply the proposed method to differentially flat systems, such as cranes [1,4,5], and non-flat underactuated systems. (© 2016 Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Inverse dynamics of underactuated multibody systems

The present work deals with controlled mechanical systems subject to holonomic constraints. In particular, we focus on underactuated systems, defined as systems in which the number of degrees of freedom exceeds the number of inputs. The governing equations of motion can be written in the form of differential-algebraic equations (DAEs) with a mixed set of holonomic and control constraints. The rotationless formulation of multibody dynamics will be considered [1]. To this end, we apply a specific projection method to the DAEs in terms of redundant coordinates. A similar projection approach has been previously developed in the framework of generalized coordinates by Blajer & Kołodziejczyk [2]. (© 2009 Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

The use of splitting of the equations of motion in the numerical solution of problems of the dynamics of elastic systems

Linear elastic systems with a finite number of degrees of freedom, the initial equations of motion of which are constructed using the finite element method or other discretization methods, are considered. Since, in applied dynamics problems, the motions are usually investigated in a frequency range with an upper bound, the degrees of freedom of the initial system of equations are split into dynamic and quasi-dynamic degrees. Finally, the initial system of equations is split into a small number of differential equations for the dynamic degrees of freedom and into a system of algebraic equations for determining the quasi-static displacements, represented in the form of a matrix series. The number of terms of the series taken into account depends on the accuracy required.     

The formulation of dynamical contact problems with friction in the case of systems of rigid bodies and general discrete mechanical systems—Painlevé and Kane paradoxes revisited

The dynamics of mechanical systems with a finite number of degrees of freedom (discrete mechanical systems) is governed by the Lagrange equation which is a second-order differential equation on a Riemannian manifold (the configuration manifold). The handling of perfect (frictionless) unilateral constraints in this framework (that of Lagrange’s analytical dynamics) was undertaken by Schatzman and Moreau at the beginning of the 1980s. A mathematically sound and consistent evolution problem was obtained, paving the road for many subsequent theoretical investigations. In this general evolution problem, the only reaction force which is involved is a generalized reaction force, consistently with the virtual power philosophy of Lagrange. Surprisingly, such a general formulation was never derived in the case of frictional unilateral multibody dynamics. Instead, the paradigm of the Coulomb law applying to reaction forces in the real world is generally invoked. So far, this paradigm has only enabled to obtain a consistent evolution problem in only some very few specific examples and to suggest numerical algorithms to produce computational examples (numerical modeling). In particular, it is not clear what is the evolution problem underlying the computational examples. Moreover, some of the few specific cases in which this paradigm enables to write down a precise evolution problem are known to show paradoxes: the Painlevé paradox (indeterminacy) and the Kane paradox (increase in kinetic energy due to friction). In this paper, we follow Lagrange’s philosophy and formulate the frictional unilateral multibody dynamics in terms of the generalized reaction force and not in terms of the real-world reaction force. A general evolution problem that governs the dynamics is obtained for the first time. We prove that all the solutions are dissipative; that is, this new formulation is free of Kane paradox. We also prove that some indeterminacy of the Painlevé paradox is fixed in this formulation.     

Dynamically stable control of articulated crowds

The synthesis of realistic complex body movements in real-time is a difficult problem in computer graphics and in robotics. High realism requires the accurate modeling of the details of the trajectories for a large number of degrees of freedom. At the same time, real-time animation necessitates flexible systems that can adapt and react in an online fashion to changing external constraints. Such behaviors can be modeled with nonlinear dynamical systems in combination with appropriate learning methods. The resulting mathematical models have manageable mathematical complexity, allowing to study and design the dynamics of multi-agent systems. We introduce Contraction Theory as a tool to treat the stability properties of such highly nonlinear systems. For a number of scenarios we derive conditions that guarantee the global stability and minimal convergence rates for the formation of coordinated behaviors of crowds. In this way we suggest a new approach for the analysis and design of stable collective behaviors in crowd simulation.     

事件空间中单面非Chetaev型非完整系统的Noether定理

研究事件空间中单面非Ｃｈｅｔａｅｖ型非完整系统的Ｎｏｅｔｈｅｒ定理,首先给出了系统的Ｄ’Ａｌｅｍｂｅｒｔ－Ｌａｇｒａｎｇｅ原理;其次基于该原理在无限小变换下的不变性,研究了非Ｃｈｅｔａｅｖ型非完整系统的Ｎｏｅｔｈｅｒ定理及逆定理;最后举例说明结果的应用。     

基于虚拟完整约束的欠驱动起重机控制方法

欠驱动系统的控制是非线性控制的一个重要领域,欠驱动系统指系统控制输入个数小于自由度个数的非线性系统.目前,欠驱动非线性系统动力学和控制研究的主要方法包括线性二次型最优控制方法和部分反馈线性化方法等,如何使系统持续的稳定在平衡位置一直是研究的难点.虚拟约束方法是指通过选择一个周期循环变化的变量作为自变量来设计系统的周期运动.该文以典型的欠驱动模型起重机为例,采用虚拟约束方法,使系统能够在平衡位置稳定或周期振荡运动.首先,通过建立虚拟约束,减少系统自由度变量;然后,通过部分反馈线性化理论推导出系统的状态方程;最后,通过线性二次调节器设计反馈控制器.仿真结果表明,重物在反馈控制下可以在竖直位置的附近达到稳定状态,反映了虚拟约束方法对欠驱动系统的有效性.     

Gibbs ensembles,equidistribution of the energy of sympathetic oscillators and statistical models of thermostat

The paper develops an approach to the proof of the “zeroth” law of thermodynamics. The approach is based on the analysis of weak limits of solutions to the Liouville equation as time grows infinitely. A class of linear oscillating systems is indicated for which the average energy becomes eventually uniformly distributed among the degrees of freedom for any initial probability density functions. An example of such systems are sympathetic pendulums. Conditions are found for nonlinear Hamiltonian systems with finite number of degrees of freedom to converge in a weak sense to the state where the mean energies of the interacting subsystems are the same. Some issues related to statistical models of the thermostat are discussed.      

On the controllability of the N-dimensional Navier–Stokes and Boussinesq systems with N−1 scalar controls

In this Note we present several controllability results for nonlinear systems of the Navier–Stokes and Boussinesq kind. We discuss the existence of particular controls with a small number of degrees of freedom. To cite this article: E. Fernández-Cara et al., C. R. Acad. Sci. Paris, Ser. I 340 (2005).     

Simulating underactuated multibody dynamics using servo constraints and variational integrators

In underactuated dynamical systems, the number of control inputs n_u is smaller than the number of degrees of freedom n_q. Real world examples include e. g. flexible robot arms or cranes. In these two exmples the goal is to prescribe the trajectory of an end effector and find the necessary control variables. One approach to model these problems is to introduce servo constraints in the equations of motion that enforce a given trajectory for some part of the system [1]. (© 2014 Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Adaptive control of uncertain coupled mechanical systems with application to base-isolated structures

A problem of feedback stabilization is addressed for a class of uncertain nonlinear mechanical systems with n degrees of freedom and n_c < n control inputs. Each system of the class has the structure of two coupled subsystems with n_c and n_r degrees of freedom, respectively, a prototype being an uncertain base isolated building structure with n degrees of freedom actively controlled via actuators applying forces to specific degrees of freedom of the base movement, n_c < n in number. A nonlinear adaptive feedback strategy is described, which, under appropriate assumptions on the system uncertainties, guarantees a form of practical stability of the zero state. Numerical simulations are also presented to illustrate the application of the control strategy to a base isolated building.     

Stress-strain state and stability of composite sandwich shells with a scaling zone between the core and facings

A finite element model is presented for analyzing the strength and stability of sandwich shells of arbitrary configuration with an adhesion failure zone between the core and one of the facings. The model is based on the assumptions that both facings are laminated Timoshenko-type composite shells, only transverse shear stresses in the core and normal stresses in the thickness direction have nonzero values, a free slip in the tangential plane in the adhesion failure zone and unilateral contact along the normal are possible, and the prebuckling state in the stability problem is linear. Biquadratic nine-node approximations for all functions and numerical integration were used. The displacements and rotation angles of the normals toward the facings as well as stresses in the core are taken as global degrees of freedom. The algebraic problem is solved using a special step-by-step procedure of determining the contact area in the scaling zone and employing unilateral constraints for some of the unknowns. Numerical examples are also given.Translated from Mekhanika Kompozitnykh Materialov, Vol. 29, No. 5, pp. 640–652, September–October, 1993.