Nonlinear robust and optimal control of robot manipulators

In this paper, we propose a new optimal control method for robust control of nonlinear robot manipulators. Many industrial robot systems are required to perform relatively large angular movement with sufficient accuracy. In real circumstances, highly nonlinear manipulator dynamics and uncertainties such as unknown load placed on the manipulator, external disturbance, and joint friction make the precise control of manipulators a very challenging task. The main contribution of this work is to develop a new robust control strategy to accomplish the precise control of robot manipulators under load uncertainty using a nonlinear optimal control formulation and solution. This methodology is based on the underlying relation between the robust stability and performance optimality. A class of robust control problems can be transformed to an equivalent optimal control problem by incorporating the uncertainty bounds into the cost functional. The θ-D optimal control approach is utilized to find an approximate closed-form feedback solution to the resultant nonlinear optimal control problem via a perturbation process. Numerical simulations show that the proposed robust controller is able to control the robot manipulator precisely under large load variations.     

Nonlinear oscillations with parametric excitation solved by homotopy analysis method

An analytical technique, namely the homotopy analysis method （HAM）, is used to solve problems of nonlinear oscillations with parametric excitation. Unlike perturbation methods, HAM is not dependent on any small physical parameters at all, and thus valid for both weakly and strongly nonlinear problems. In addition, HAM is different from all other analytic techniques in providing a simple way to adjust and control convergence region of the series solution by means of an auxiliary parameter h. In the present paper, a periodic analytic approximations for nonlinear oscillations with parametric excitation are obtained by using HAM, and the results are validated by numerical simulations.     

Nonlinear interfacial waves in a circular cylindrical container subjected to a vertical excitation

Singular perturbation theory of two-time scale expansions was developed in inviscid fluids to investigate the motion of single interface standing wave in a two-layer liquid-filled circular cylindrical vessel, which is subjected to a vertical periodical oscillation. It is assumed that the fluid in the circular cylindrical vessel is inviscid, incompressible and the motion is irrotational, a nonlinear amplitude equation including cubic nonlinear and vertically forced terms, was derived by the method of expansion of two-time scales without taking the influence of surface tension into account. By numerical computation, it is shown that different patterns of interface standing wave can be excited for different driving frequency and amplitude. We found that the interface wave mode become more and more complex as increasing of upper to lower layer density ratio γ$\gamma$. The traits of the standing interface wave were proved theoretically. In addition, the dispersion relation and nonlinear amplitude equation obtained in this article can reduce to the known results for a single fluid when γ=0,_h2→_h1$\gamma =0,h_2\to h_1$.     

Efficient parametric excitation walking with delayed feedback control

In passive dynamic walking proposed by McGeer, mechanical energy lost by heel strike is restored by transporting potential energy to kinetic energy as walking down a slope. When energy input is larger as a slope is steeper, the bifurcation of a walking cycle occurs. In the parametric excitation walking, which is to realize passive dynamic-like walking on the level ground, the bifurcation of a walking cycle has also been observed when walking speed is fast. Recently, Asano et al. have shown that bifurcation exerts an adverse influence upon walking performance by using a rimless wheel model. In this paper, we apply the delayed feedback control (DFC), originally used in chaos control, to parametric excitation walking to suppress bifurcation. We show in numerical simulation that the proposed method makes period-two walking to period-one walking, and improves energy efficiency. In addition, the proposed method can generate a sustainable gait in the region where a biped robot cannot walk without DFC. The analyses using a Poincaré map reveal that period-one walking with DFC corresponds to an unstable periodic orbit and reveal that a robot model in this paper satisfies the sufficient condition of applicability of DFC.     

Nonlinear dynamics of a fluid-conveying curved pipe subjected to motion-limiting constraints and a harmonic excitation

This paper investigates the dynamical behaviour of a fluid-conveying curved pipe subjected to motion-limiting constraints and a harmonic excitation. Based on a Newtonian method, the in-plane equation of motion of this curved pipe is derived. Then a set of discrete equations in spatial space obtained by the differential quadrature method (DQM) is solved numerically. Emphasis is placed on the possible dynamical behaviour of the curved pipe conveying fluid. The numerical results show that the pipe without motion-limiting constraints but with a harmonic force behaves as an ordinary linear system. If, however, the pipe is subjected to cubic motion-limiting constraints, nonlinear dynamic phenomena of the system will occur. Calculations of bifurcation diagrams, phase-plane portraits, time responses, power spectrum diagrams, and Poincaré maps of the oscillations clearly demonstrate the existence of chaotic and quasiperiodic motions. Moreover, it is shown that the route to chaos is via a sequence of period-doubling bifurcations.     

Stability and torsional vibration analysis of a micro-shaft subjected to an electrostatic parametric excitation using variational iteration method

In this article stability and parametrically excited oscillations of a two stage micro-shaft located in a Newtonian fluid with arrayed electrostatic actuation system is investigated. The static stability of the system is studied and the fixed points of the micro-shaft are determined and the global stability of the fixed points is studied by plotting the micro-shaft phase diagrams for different initial conditions. Subsequently the governing equation of motion is linearized about static equilibrium situation using calculus of variation theory and discretized using the Galerkin’s method. Then the system is modeled as a single-degree-of-freedom model and a Mathieu type equation is obtained. The Variational Iteration Method (VIM) is used as an asymptotic analytical method to obtain approximate solutions for parametric equation and the stable and unstable regions are evaluated. The results show that using a parametric excitation with an appropriate frequency and amplitude the system can be stabilized in the vicinity of the pitch fork bifurcation point. The time history and phase diagrams of the system are plotted for certain values of initial conditions and parameter values. Asymptotic analytically obtained results are verified by using direct numerical integration method.     

Dynamic modeling and extended bifurcation analysis of flexible-link manipulator

Abstract

In this article, the nonlinear dynamic analysis of a flexible-link manipulator is presented. Especially, the possibility of chaos occurrence in the system dynamic model is investigated. Upon the occurrence of chaos, the system dynamical behavior becomes unpredictable which in turn brings about uncertainty and irregularity in the system motion. The importance of this investigation is pronounced in similar systems such as double pendulum and single-link flexible manipulator. What makes this study distinct from previous ones is the increase in the number of links as well as the changing the bifurcation parameters from system mechanical parameters to force and torque inputs. To this aim, the motion equations of the N-link robot, which are derived with the aid of the recursive Gibbs-Appell formulation and the assumed modes method, are used. In the end, the equations of motion are developed for a two-link flexible manipulator, and its nonlinear dynamical behavior is analyzed via numerical integration of discrete equations. The results are presented in the form of bifurcation diagrams (for variation of torque amplitude), time histories, phase-plane portraits, Poincaré sections, and fast Fourier transforms. The outcomes indicate that when there is no offset, the decrease in damping results in chaotic generalized modal coordinates. In addition, as the excitation frequency decreases from 2π to π, a limiting amplitude is created at 0.35 before which the behavior of generalized rigid and modal coordinates is different, while this behavior has more similarity after this point. An experimental setup is also used to check the torques as the system input.     

Nonlinear vibrations of cylindrical shells filled with a fluid and subjected to longitudinal and transverse periodic excitation

The paper proposes an approach to studying the nonlinear vibrations of thin cylindrical shells filled with a fluid and subjected to a combined transverse–longitudinal load. Methods of nonlinear mechanics are used to find and analyze periodic solutions of the system of equations that describes the dynamic behavior of the shell when the natural frequencies of the shell and the frequencies of both periodic forces are in resonance relations.     

Nonlinear dynamic response of an edge-cracked functionally graded Timoshenko beam under parametric excitation

This paper investigates the nonlinear flexural dynamic behavior of a clamped Timoshenko beam made of functionally graded materials (FGMs) with an open edge crack under an axial parametric excitation which is a combination of a static compressive force and a harmonic excitation force. Theoretical formulations are based on Timoshenko shear deformable beam theory, von Karman type geometric nonlinearity, and rotational spring model. Hamilton’s principle is used to derive the nonlinear partial differential equations which are transformed into nonlinear ordinary differential equation by using the Least Squares method and Galerkin technique. The nonlinear natural frequencies, steady state response, and excitation frequency-amplitude response curves are obtained by employing the Runge–Kutta method and multiple scale method, respectively. A parametric study is conducted to study the effects of material property distribution, crack depth, crack location, excitation frequency, and slenderness ratio on the nonlinear dynamic characteristics of parametrically excited, cracked FGM Timoshenko beams.     

Nonlinear dynamic modeling and periodic vibration of a cantilever beam subjected to axial movement of basement

Dynamic modeling of a cantilever beam under an axial movement of its basement is presented. The dynamic equation of motion for the cantilever beam is established by using Kane's equation first and then simplified through the Rayleigh-Ritz method. Compared with the older modeling method, which linearizes the generalized inertia forces and the generalized active forces, the present modeling takes the coupled cubic nonlinearities of geometrical and inertial types into consideration. The method of multiple scales is used to directly solve the nonlinear differential equations and to derive the nonlinear modulation equation for the principal parametric resonance. The results show that the nonlinear inertia terms produce a softening effect and play a significant role in the planar response of the second mode and the higher ones. On the other hand, the nonlinear geometric terms produce a hardening effect and dominate the planar response of the first mode. The validity of the present modeling is clarified through the comparisons of its coefficients with those experimentally verified in previous studies. Project supported by the Fundamental Fund of National Defense of China (No. 10172005).     

System modeling and tracking control of mobile manipulator subjected to dynamic interaction and uncertainty

Trajectory tracking of a mobile manipulator is a challenging research because of its complex nonlinearity and dynamics. This paper presents an adaptive control strategy for trajectory tracking of a mobile manipulator system that consists of a wheeled platform and a modular manipulator. When a robot system moves in the presence of sliding, it is difficult to accurately track its trajectory by applying the backstepping approach, even if we employ a non-ideal kinematic model. To address this problem, we propose using a combination of adaptive fuzzy control and backstepping approach based on a dynamic model. The proposed control scheme considers the dynamic interaction between the platform and manipulator. To accurately track the trajectory, we propose a fuzzy compensator in order to compensate for modeling uncertainties such as friction and external disturbances. Moreover, to reduce approximation errors and ensure system stability, we include a robust term to the adaptive control law. Simulation results obtained by comparing several cases reveal the presence of the dynamic interaction and confirm the robustness of the designed controller. Finally, we demonstrate the effectiveness and merits of the proposed control strategy to counteract the modeling uncertainties and accurately track the trajectory.     

On stationary probability density and maximal Lyapunov exponent of a co-dimension two bifurcation system subjected to parametric excitation by real noise

In this paper, the asymptotic expansions of the maximal Lyapunov exponents for a co-dimension two-bifurcation system which is on a three-dimensional center manifold and is excited parametrically by an ergodic real noise are evaluated. The real noise is an integrable function of an n-dimensional Ornstein-Uhlenbeck process. Based on a perturbation method, we examine almost all possible singular boundaries that exist in one-dimensional phase diffusion process. The comparisons between the analytical solutions and the numerical simulations are given. In addition, we also investigate the P-bifurcation behavior for the one-dimensional phase diffusion process. The result in this paper is a further extension of the work by Liew and Liu [1].     

Nonlinear parametric modeling of suspension bridges under aeroelastic forces: torsional divergence and flutter

A fully nonlinear model of suspension bridges parameterized by one single space coordinate is proposed to describe overall three-dimensional motions. The nonlinear equations of motion are obtained via a direct total Lagrangian formulation and the kinematics, for the deck-girder and the suspension cables, feature the finite displacements of the associated base lines and the flexural and torsional rotations of the deck cross-sections assumed rigid in their own planes. The strain-displacement relationships for the generalized strain parameters, the elongations in the cables, the deck elongation, and the three curvatures, retain the full geometric nonlinearities. The proposed nonlinear model with its full extensional-flexural-torsional coupling is employed to study the torsional divergence caused by the static part of the wind-induced forces. Two suspension bridges are considered as case studies: the Runyang bridge (main span 1,490?m) and the Hu Men bridge (main span 888?m) in China. The evaluation of the onset of the static instability and the post-critical behavior takes into account the prestressed condition of the bridge subject to dead loads. The dynamic bifurcation that occurs at the onset of flutter is also studied accounting for the prestressed equilibrium state about which the equations of motion are obtained via an updated Lagrangian formulation. Such a bifurcation is investigated in the context of the parametric nonlinear model considering the model parameters of the Runyang Suspension Bridge together with its aeroelastic derivatives. The calculated critical wind speeds for the onset of the static and dynamic bifurcations are compared with the results obtained via linear analysis and the main differences are highlighted. Parametric sensitivity studies are carried out to assess the influence of the design parameters on the instabilities associated with the bridge aeroelastic response.     

Equivalent linearization for systems subjected to non-stationary random excitation

The method of eauivalent linearization is applied to the general problem of the response of non-linear discrete systems to non-stationary random excitation. Conditions for minimum equation difference are determined which do not depend explicitly on lime but only on the instantaneous statistics of the response process. Using the equivalent linear parameters, a deterministic non-linear ordinary differential equation for the covariance matrix is derived. An example is given of a damped Duffing oscillator subjected to modulated white noise.     

Viscoelastic vibrations of a piezoceramic cylinder subjected to electrical excitation

International Applied Mechanics -     

Experimental behavior of thin circular arches subjected to forced excitation

Experimental evidence is presented to verify the steady-state solution for a thin circular arch, pinned at the ends, and subjected to symmetrical and unsymmetrical support excitation. The steady-state solutions consist of a series of the free modes of vibration. It is shown how these solutions are developed when both supports of the arch are moving simultaneously and in phase with one another. The unsymmetrical case, where only one support is moving, is also considered. The arches chosen for testing had a radius-to-thickness ratio of 121 to 179. The arch-opening half-angles varied from 90 to 125 deg. The arches were vibrated on an electrodynamic-shaker table. Dynamic arch amplitudes were measured using a specially designed micrometer probe. Comparison of theory with experiment was considered good; the average error in prediction of resonant frequencies was less than three percent. For the firced excitation, the modal shapes agreed quite closely with that predicted by theory. It was found that experimental arches were quite sensitive to variations in the arch radius and that, in general, for all arches tested, the degree of agreement between theory and experiment was more sensitive to changes in the opening half-angle rather than theR/H value. A further observation was that, for some poorly constructed arches, it was found that out-of-plane vibrations occurred at approximately 16 times the fundamental flexural frequency. Paper was presented at 1972 SESA Fall Meeting held in Seattle, Wash. on October 17–20.     

Parameter sensitivity of cantilever beam with tip mass to parametric excitation

Nonlinear Dynamics - The sensitivity of the response of a parametrically excited cantilever beam with a tip mass to small variations in elasticity (stiffness) and the tip mass is performed. The...