Energy harvesting using semi-active control

This paper presents the application of semi-active control for optimising the power harvested by an electro-mechanical energy harvester. A time-periodic damper, defined by a Fourier series, is introduced for energy harvesting in order to increase the performance of the device. An analytical solution for the transmissibility and the average absorbed power is derived based on the method of harmonic balance. The coefficients of the semi-active model are optimised to maximise the harvested power. The harvested power from the optimum periodic time-varying damper at a particular frequency is compared and is shown to be greater than that from an optimum passive damper and a semi-active on–off damper not only at that particular frequency but also at other frequencies. In addition, the performance of the optimised periodic time-varying damper is also compared with an arbitrary semi-active time-periodic damper, which has the same transmissibility at resonance. An optimisation is carried out to maximise the power in a frequency range and the optimum damper is derived as a function of the excitation frequency. The numerical results are validated with the analytical approach.     

A straightforward method for tuning of Lyapunov-based controllers in semi-active vibration control applications

Lyapunov-based control is an attractive strategy for semi-active vibration control as it has a mathematical basis ensuring stability in the sense of Lyapunov and great flexibility in the design. Unfortunately, that flexibility complicates the controller tuning since it involves the construction of a weighting matrix, which is usually done by trial-and-error.     

Shock isolation using an isolator with switchable stiffness

A semi-active control strategy is presented for the shock isolation of resiliently mounted equipment where the isolator has light damping. This is achieved by switching the stiffness of the isolator between a high-state and a low-state. The control strategy involves two stages: the first stage involves the displacement control of the equipment during the shock, and the second stage involves suppression of the subsequent residual vibrations. The performance of the switchable isolation system is illustrated using a base-excited single degree-of-freedom system. It is characterized in terms of the maximum absolute acceleration and displacement of the isolated mass, the relative displacement between the base and the mass, and the effective damping ratio of the system. Provided that the damping in the isolator is light, it is found that the semi-active system can outperform a linear passive system during both stages of control.     

A STOCHASTIC OPTIMAL SEMI-ACTIVE CONTROL STRATEGY FOR ER/MR DAMPERS

A stochastic optimal semi-active control strategy for randomly excited systems using electrorheological/magnetorheological (ER/MR) dampers is proposed. A system excited by random loading and controlled by using ER/MR dampers is modelled as a controlled, stochastically excited and dissipated Hamiltonian system with n degrees of freedom. The control forces produced by ER/MR dampers are split into a passive part and an active part. The passive control force is further split into a conservative part and a dissipative part, which are combined with the conservative force and dissipative force of the uncontrolled system, respectively, to form a new Hamiltonian and an overall passive dissipative force. The stochastic averaging method for quasi-Hamiltonian systems is applied to the modified system to obtain partially completed averaged Itô stochastic differential equations. Then, the stochastic dynamical programming principle is applied to the partially averaged Itô equations to establish a dynamical programming equation. The optimal control law is obtained from minimizing the dynamical programming equation subject to the constraints of ER/MR damping forces, and the fully completed averaged Itô equations are obtained from the partially completed averaged Itô equations by replacing the control forces with the optimal control forces and by averaging the terms involving the control forces. Finally, the response of semi-actively controlled system is obtained from solving the final dynamical programming equation and the Fokker-Planck-Kolmogorov equation associated with the fully completed averaged Itô equations of the system. Two examples are given to illustrate the application and effectiveness of the proposed stochastic optimal semi-active control strategy.     

Semi-active on–off damping control of a dynamic vibration absorber using Coriolis force

A passive dynamic vibration absorber (DVA) moving along a pendulum can cause the nonlinear Coriolis damping to reduce the pendulum swing. This paper proposes a simple semi-active on–off damping controller to improve the passive Coriolis DVA. The aim of the on–off damping control is to amplify the DVA resonance motion to increase the energy dissipated. Moreover, the paper finds the analytical solution of the harmonic vibration of semi-active controlled system. The accuracy of the analytical formulas and the superior performance of the semi-active DVA are verified by numerical simulations.     

基于激光半主动的弹道修正系统修正能力的研究

弹道修正技术是为了解决射程与精度的矛盾而采用的一种有效方法。激光半主动弹道修正是采用激光半主动检测落点误差,通过对鸭舵进行弹道修正来提高打击精度的。分析了激光半主动弹道修正系统的工作原理和尾翼式微旋火箭弹鸭舵执行机构控制力,建立了尾翼式微旋火箭弹的刚体弹道,在最大周期平均控制力下持续对由弹道修正的弹道修正能力进行了仿真,得到不同启控时间的弹道修正能力。为激光目标指示器、探测器、鸭舵执行机构协调设计提供了理论依据。     

An inverse model of MR damper using optimal neural network and system identification

Magnetorheological (MR) damper is one of the more promising new devices for vibration control of structures. External energy required by the adjustable fluid damper is minuscule while speed of its response is in the order of milliseconds. The MR damper is a semi-active control device and has been characterized by a set of non-linear differential equations which represent a forward model of the MR damper, i.e., the model can generate a force to a given displacement and applied voltage.This paper presents an inverse model of the MR damper, i.e., the model can predict the required voltage so that the MR damper can produce the desired force for the requirement of vibration control of structures. The inverse model has been constructed by using a multi-layer perceptron optimal neural network and system identification, which are Gauss-Newton-based Levenberg-Marquardt training algorithm, optimal brain surgeon strategy and autoregressive with exogenous variables (ARX) model. Based on the data from numerical simulation of the MR damper, the trained optimal neural networks can accurately predict voltage. If the inverse model is used in a control system, the semi-active vibration control can be implemented easily by using the semi-active MR damper.     

Generalisation and optimisation of semi-active, on-off switching controllers for single degree-of-freedom systems

This paper examines generalised forms of semi-active switching control in comparison to the sky-hook semi-active controller. A switching time controller is proposed and analysed, in order to determine the optimal performance, with regard to displacement transmissibility, of semi-active switching control. In addition, the model is also used to assess the optimality of the sky-hook switching conditions. An analytical solution is then derived for the optimal switching times. A generalised form of linear switching surface controller is then presented. It is demonstrated that this controller can produce near optimal performance.     

起落架磁流变减摆器模糊PID控制算法的研究

为了减小飞机机轮的摆振,提高飞机乘坐的舒适性和驾驶的安全性,将磁流变控制技术应用于飞机起落架减摆器,实现减摆器阻尼力的实时智能控制。针对磁流变减摆器,建立了飞机起落架摆振的半主动控制非线性动力学模型,设计了模糊PID控制算法,并使用Matlab/Simulink建立了半主动控制仿真模型。通过调节流过磁感线圈的电流大小改变磁流变减摆器的阻尼力,从而减小机轮摆动实现半主动控制。通过动力学仿真,在给定速度下分别对比未安装减摆器、被动控制下以及半主动控制下机轮摆角、侧向位移、侧滑角随时间变化的曲线,结果表明了模糊PID控制算法的正确性和可行性,该控制策略可以较好的抑制机轮的摆振,同时也表明模糊PID控制算法具有良好的可控性,减摆效果也明显优于传统的被动控制。     

Semi-active damping control of suspension systems for specified operational response mode

A practical and effective semi-active on-off damping control law using semi-active actuators is developed for vibration attenuation of a natural, multi-degree-of-freedom suspension system, when its operational response mode is specified. It does not need the accurate system parameters and semi-active actuator dynamics. It reduces the total vibratory energy of the system including the work done by external disturbances and the maximum energy dissipation direction of the semi-active actuator is tuned to the operational response mode of the structure. The effectiveness of the control law using a single semi-active linear mount is illustrated with a three-degree-of-freedom excavator cabin suspension model.     

The research on semi-active muffler device of controlling the exhaust pipe’s low-frequency noise

In order to control low frequency noise in exhaust pipe, this paper puts forward a new concept of H-Q tube based semi-active muffler device. The semi-active muffler device and bench testing system have been designed and operated. Finite element simulation study on semi-active muffler and experimental study on semi-active muffler and passive muffler have been carried on. The effect of simulation and experiment are consistent. The semi-active muffler device acts well in low frequency band, especially between 50 Hz and 150 Hz. The average level of noise reduction is around 35 dB, which is much better than passive muffler. Between 150 Hz and 350 Hz, semi-active muffler has a better performance than passive muffler; above 350 Hz, it has worse performance compared with the passive muffler.     

Quasi-active suspension design using magnetorheological dampers

Quasi-active damping is a method of coupled mechanical and control system design using multiple semi-active dampers. By designing the systems such that the desired control force may always be achieved using a combination of the dampers, quasi-active damping seeks to approach levels of vibration isolation achievable through active damping, whilst retaining the desirable attributes of semi-active systems. In this article a design is proposed for a quasi-active, base-isolating suspension system.Control laws are firstly defined in a generalised form, where semi-active dampers are considered as idealised variable viscous dampers. This system is used to demonstrate in detail the principles of quasi-active damping, in particular the necessary interaction between mechanical and control systems. It is shown how such a system can produce a tunable, quasi-active region in the frequency response of very low displacement transmissibility.Quasi-active control laws are then proposed which are specific for use with magnetorheological dampers. These are validated in simulation using a realistic model of the damper dynamics, again producing a quasi-active region in the frequency response. Finally, the robustness of the magnetorheological, quasi-active suspension system is demonstrated.     

Semi-active friction tendons for vibration control of space structures

Semi-active vibration control systems are becoming popular because they offer both the reliability of passive systems and the versatility of active control without high power demands. In this work, a new semi-active control system is proposed and studied numerically. The system consists of variable-friction dampers linked to the structure through cables. Auxiliary soft springs in parallel with these friction dampers allow them to return to their initial pre-tensioned state. Using cables makes the system suitable for deployable, flexible and lightweight structures, such as space structures (spacecraft). A control system with three control laws applied to a single-degree-of-freedom structure is studied. Two of these laws are derived by using Lyapunov theory, whereas the third one is developed heuristically. In order to assess the performance of the control system, a parametric study is carried out through numerical simulations. An application of the proposed method to multi-degree-of-freedom structures is also presented and demonstrated through a numerical example. The system in semi-active mode is more effective than in passive mode and its effectiveness is less sensitive to loss of pre-tension.     

Structural damage detection of controlled building structures using frequency response functions

If a building structure requires both a vibration control system and a health monitoring system, the integration of the two systems will be cost-effective and beneficial. One of the key problems of this integrated system is how to use control devices to enhance system identification and damage detection. This paper presents a new method for system identification and damage detection of controlled building structures equipped with semi-active friction dampers through model updating based on frequency response functions. The two states of the building are first created by adding a known stiffness using semi-active friction dampers. A scheme based on the frequency response functions of the two states of the building is then presented to identify stiffness parameters of structural members in consideration of structural connectivity and transformation information. By applying the proposed model updating scheme to the damaged building, a damage detection scheme is proposed based on the identified stiffness parameters of structural members of both the original and damaged buildings. The feasibility of the proposed schemes is finally demonstrated through a detailed numerical investigation in terms of an example building, in which the effects of measurement noise and excitation conditions are discussed. The numerical results clearly show that the proposed method can locate and quantify damage satisfactorily even though measurement noise is taken into consideration.     

Variation of constant formula for the solution of interval differential equations of non-integer order

In the recent years some efforts were made to propose simple and well-behaved fractional derivatives that inherits the classical properties from the first order derivative. Therefore, we propose in this research a new strategy to acquire interval solution of fractional interval differential equations (FIDEs) under interval fractional conformable derivative. This scheme is developed based on a variation of the constant formula to achieve the solution explicitly. The important characteristic of this technique is that it helps us to find a solution with decreasing length of its support which is critical for the solutions based on the interval or fuzzy notions. Two examples are experienced to illustrate our approach and validate it.     

Multi-objective control optimization for semi-active vehicle suspensions

In this paper we demonstrate a method for determining the optimality of control algorithms based on multiple performance objectives. While the approach is applicable to a broad range of dynamic systems, this paper focuses on the control of semi-active vehicle suspensions. The two performance objectives considered are ride quality, as measured by absorbed power, and thermal performance, as measured by power dissipated in the suspension damper. A multi-objective genetic algorithm (MOGA) is used to establish the limits of controller performance. To facilitate convergence, the MOGA is initialized with popular algorithms such as skyhook control, feedback linearization, and sliding mode control. The MOGA creates a Pareto frontier of solutions, providing a benchmark for assessing the performance of other controllers in terms of both objectives. Furthermore, the MOGA provides insight into the remaining achievable gains in performance.     

ACTIVE-PASSIVE PIEZOELECTRIC ABSORBERS FOR SYSTEMS UNDER MULTIPLE NON-STATIONARY HARMONIC EXCITATIONS

Previous research has shown that piezoelectric materials can be shunted with electrical networks to form devices that operate similarly to a mechanical vibration absorber. These systems can be tuned to provide modal damping (modal tuning) or to attenuate a harmonic disturbance (tonal tuning). Semi-active piezoelectric absorbers have also been proposed for suppressing harmonic excitations with varying frequency, a scenario that cannot be easily controlled using passive devices. However, these semi-active systems have limitations that restrict their applications. In a previous study, the authors have developed a high performance active-passive alternative to the semi-active absorber that uses a combination of a passive electrical circuit and active control actions. The active control consists of three parts: an adaptive inductor tuning action, a negative resistance action, and a coupling enhancement action. This new device has been shown, both analytically and experimentally, to be very effective for the suppression of harmonic disturbances with time-varying frequency. In the present paper, the adaptive active-passive piezoelectric absorber configuration is extended so that it can track and suppress multiple harmonic excitations. A new optimal tuning law is derived, and the stability conditions of the system are investigated. The effectiveness of this new multi-frequency absorber design is demonstrated by comparing its performance and control power requirement to the popular Filtered-x adaptive feedforward control algorithm.     

High frequency energy transfer in semi-active suspension

This paper investigates the effect of unintended high frequency excitations generated by the semi-active sky-hook control algorithm on the isolation properties of a car suspension. Using a quarter car model, an energy transfer from low to high frequency is established. An alternative algorithm is presented in this paper, in order to achieve smooth variations of the control force. Compared with the continuous semi-active sky-hook, the algorithm has been found to provide a similar damping of the body resonance, but also a better isolation at high frequency and global comfort.     

APPROXIMATION ANALYTICAL SOLUTION FOR A CURRENT-CARRYING ION SHEATH AND ITS CHAOS CONTROL

A higher-order approximation analytical solution for a current-carrying ion sheath is automatically derived in computer by decomposition method. Chaos behaviors in the system driven by an external periodic oscillation are controlled using feedback control strategy. Its effectiveness is verified by numerical simulations.     

Seismic test of least-input-energy control with ground velocity feedback for variable-stiffness isolation systems

A variable-stiffness isolation system, whose isolation stiffness can be altered instantaneously in response to the seismic load, is able to provide better seismic protection for vibration-sensitive equipment or facilities than a conventional isolation system with a fixed stiffness. To determine its time-variant isolation stiffness, this system usually requires an effective on-line control law. In this study, a control strategy called the least input energy control (LIEC) is proposed for a general variable-stiffness isolation system. With the feedback of the ground velocity, at each time step the LIEC is able to determine the optimal isolation stiffness that minimizes the input seismic energy transmitted onto the isolated object. In order to evaluate its control performance, the LIEC was physically implemented on a leverage-type variable-stiffness isolation system, and tested in a seismic simulation test. The experimental response of the LIEC was then compared to the uncontrolled response, as well as the simulated responses of two semi-active control laws derived from the widely used LQR control and modal control. A comparison of the results demonstrates that, among all the control cases considered, the LIEC transmits the least seismic input energy to the isolated system, and thus has the best isolation performance. In addition, the test data also show that the LIEC requires the least control force and control energy. This indicates that the LIEC is also a very efficient control method for variable-stiffness isolation systems.