Decentralized vibration control of a multi-link flexible robotic manipulator using smart piezoelectric transducers

The work in this paper is aimed to investigate the use of a decentralized control system for suppressing vibration of a multi-link flexible robotic manipulator using embedded smart piezoelectric transducers. To achieve this, a non-linear dynamic model of a flexible robotic manipulator with smart piezoelectric actuators/sensors, is developed based on the co-rotational finite element method. The method incorporates multiple co-ordinate (co-rotational) systems which rotate and translate with each element, so that the geometric non-linearity present in rotating manipulator system can be dealt with efficiently. The placement of piezoelectric actuators and sensors over the flexible links are considered for the application of decentralized control system. A numerical study shows that the developed co-rotational finite element method can be utilized to investigate the piezoelectric actuator/sensor placement and vibration control performances for a multi-link flexible manipulator undertaking complicated motion.     

Optimal target grasping of a flexible space manipulator for a class of objectives

Space graspers are complex systems, composed by robotic arms placed on an orbiting platform. In order to fulfil the manoeuvres’ requirements, it is necessary to properly model all the forces acting on the space robot. A fully nonlinear model is used to describe the dynamics, based on a multibody approach. The model includes the orbital motion, the gravity gradient, the aerodynamic effects, as well as the flexibility of the links. The present paper aims to design, thanks to nonlinear optimization algorithms, a class of manoeuvres that, given the same target to be grasped, are characterized by different mission objectives. The grasping mission can be performed with the objective to minimize the power consumption. Collision avoidance constraints can be also added when the target is equipped with solar panels or other appendices. In some cases, large elastic displacements should be expected, possibly leading to an inaccurate positioning of the end-effector. Therefore, different design strategies can require that the manoeuvre is accomplished with minimum vibrations’ amplitude at the end-effector. Performance of the different strategies is analyzed in terms of control effort, trajectory errors, and flexible response of the manipulator.     

空间机械臂非完整运动规划的遗传算法研究

带空间机械臂航天器系统在无外力矩作用时，系统相对于总质心的动量矩守恒而变为非完整系统。由于非完整约束的不可积性，非完整系统的运动规划与控制比一般系统要困难得多。现利用非完整特性研究了自由漂浮空间机械臂的三维姿态运动控制问题。首先导出带空间机械臂的航天器三维姿态运动数学模型，并将系统的控制问题转化为无漂移系统的非完整运动规划问题。在运动规划中，根据最优控制原理和优化理论，提出基于遗传算法的最优运动规划数值算法。通过数值仿真，表明该方法对空间机械臂及航天器三维姿态运动的非完整运动规划是有效的。     

Deployable space manipulator commanded by means of visual-based guidance and navigation

On orbit maneuvering of flexible space manipulators requires a special caution. In fact the task of reaching the desired configuration, and at the same time safely preserving the structure integrity and not perturbing the overall spacecraft attitude, is complicated by the extreme flexibility of the structure itself. For studying this problem, an experimental test bed is designed and realized at the Guidance and Navigation Laboratory at La Sapienza, University of Rome. In this paper, visual based techniques are considered as a valid option for the dual purpose of evaluating the control signals and monitoring the flexible behavior of the controlled structure. In fact the joint motors are controlled in order to reach a desired target taking the image of the target as acquired by a mobile camera mounted on the end effector of the manipulator, into account. The Image Based Visual Servoing is introduced together with the simple adaptive algorithm used for processing the acquired images. With respect to a more traditional terrestrial visual servoing, a control system based on a moving camera (a typical configuration in space applications) is particularly sensitive to the flexible vibrations of the arm links. In fact in the closed loop control scheme, an oscillating movement of the camera influences the image processing, which in turn influences control actions. Instability could arise if the flexible dynamics is not separated from the rigid motion. This paper shows that it is possible to evaluate the elastic properties of the complex multibody manipulator (flexibility of the link, elastic behavior of the joints, effects of nonstructural masses) thanks to the analysis of the image acquired.     

目标捕获后航天器组合体的角动量转移与抑振规划

针对失稳目标捕获后航天器组合体的位姿调整与稳定问题,提出一种组合体角动量转移与振动抑制复合规划方法。首先建立了同时考虑了空间机械臂、目标卫星太阳翼、服务卫星太阳翼等柔性构件的航天器组合体动力学模型。然后提出角动量转移优化方法,规划机械臂最终构型,保证组合体相对稳定后的角速度最小;基于粒子群算法设计了机械臂最优抑振轨迹规划方法,抑制角动量转移过程中的机械臂和太阳翼的柔性振动。最后通过数值仿真验证了规划方法的有效性。仿真结果表明,该方法能够有效实现组合体的角动量转移,并显著降低组合体的柔性振动,具有工程实用性。     

带空间机械臂的充液航天器姿态动力学研究

本文研究空间机械臂运动对充液航天器姿态的影响，讨论了利用机械臂调整充液航天器姿态问题、以及机械臂操作与航天器姿态稳定的协调问题。研究表明：影响充液航天器姿态的因素除了机械臂运动的路径，还有机械臂运动的时间、机械臂转角的变化规律、液体的粘性、质量和惯性张量等。其中机械臂运动时间的影响比较明显，而且机械臂运动得越慢对航天器姿态的影响越大。合理地选择机械臂操作时间和机械臂转角变化规律，可以实现机械臂操作     

故障容错机械臂运动学可靠性设计

从机械臂运动学的角度，定义了故障容错机械臂、故障容错机械臂的阶、通用故障容错机械臂、特定任务故障容错机械臂，论证了通过运动学关节冗余也同样可以提高机械臂系统的可靠性、故障容错机械臂应该具备的自由度数、以及针对不同的任务要求来设计故障容错机械臂的方法。通过将任务空间抽象简化为一系列的特征点，建立与机械臂参数向理想值接近程度相关的罚函数，选择有效的优化算法，设计出了通用一阶故障容错平面位置机械臂、通用一阶故障容错空间位置机械臂、以及特定任务一阶故障容错平面位置机械臂。建立起完整的故障容错机械臂设计方法，对航天机器人的研究具有一定价值。     

基于主任务零空间的空间机械臂重复运动规划

针对空间机械臂执行封闭在轨操作任务时,终止时刻机械臂关节角与基座位姿发生漂移的问题,提出一种基于主任务零空间的空间机械臂重复运动规划方法。结合在轨操作任务特点,分析了空间机械臂重复运动要求,将重复运动问题转化为关节构型、末端姿态与基座姿态复位优化问题并设计了空间机械臂重复运动优化算子;在此基础上,引入任务优先级概念,将重复运动优化算子引入主任务的零空间,保证主任务完成的同时机械臂重复运动得以优化;进而为增强重复运动优化能力,空间机械臂基座姿态保持算子也被引入。仿真结果表明,新算法能够减小关节角与基座位姿的漂移,实现空间机械臂重复运动规划,可以应用于实际的控制系统中。     

Analysis and implementation of in-plane stationkeeping of continuously perturbed Walker constellations

The stationkeeping of symmetric Walker constellations is analyzed by considering the perturbations arising from a high order and degree Earth gravity field and the solar radiation pressure. These perturbations act differently on each group of spacecraft flying in a given orbital plane, causing a differential drift effect that would disrupt the initial symmetry of the constellation. The analysis is based on the consideration of a fictitious set of rotating reference frames that move with the spacecraft in the mean sense, but drift at a rate equal to the average drift rate experienced by all the vehicles over an extended period. The frames are also allowed to experience the J₂-precession such that each vehicle is allowed to drift in 3D relative to its frame. A two-impulse rendezvous maneuver is then constructed to bring each vehicle to the center of its frame as soon as a given tolerance deadband is about to be violated. This paper illustrates the computations associated with the stationkeeping of a generic Walker constellation by maneuvering each leading spacecraft within an orbit plane and calculating the associated velocity changes required for controlling the in-plane motions in an exacting sense, at least for the first series of maneuvers. The analysis can be easily extended to lower flying constellations, which experience additional perturbations due to drag.     

带柔性伸杆小卫星振动控制的半物理仿真实验

在空间探测任务中,为了避免卫星平台剩磁对空间待测信息的干扰影响,需采用轻质的伸杆机构支撑各类探测载荷远离卫星本体,而伸杆的弹性振动不可避免地会耦合作用到卫星本体,从而降低卫星本体的姿态控制精度和稳定度。针对此问题,提出了一种基于伸杆最优指令整形结合本体自适应扰动抑制滤波器的复合振动控制策略,即采用指令整形技术抑制柔性伸杆的弹性振动,同时设计自适应扰动抑制滤波器进一步抵消柔性伸杆残余振动对本体的干扰影响,最后在搭建的半物理仿真实验平台上对控制方法进行了实验验证。结果表明：此方法在有效抑制柔性伸杆残余振动的基础上,通过干扰抵消和抑制的控制策略可显著提高此类航天器的姿态控制精度和稳定度。     

Design and implementation of the flight dynamics system for COMS satellite mission operations

The first Korean multi-mission geostationary Earth orbit satellite, Communications, Ocean, and Meteorological Satellite (COMS) was launched by an Ariane 5 launch vehicle in June 26, 2010. The COMS satellite has three payloads including Ka-band communications, Geostationary Ocean Color Imager, and Meteorological Imager. Although the COMS spacecraft bus is based on the Astrium Eurostar 3000 series, it has only one solar array to the south panel because all of the imaging sensors are located on the north panel. In order to maintain the spacecraft attitude with 5 wheels and 7 thrusters, COMS should perform twice a day wheel off-loading thruster firing operations, which affect on the satellite orbit. COMS flight dynamics system provides the general on-station functions such as orbit determination, orbit prediction, event prediction, station-keeping maneuver planning, station-relocation maneuver planning, and fuel accounting. All orbit related functions in flight dynamics system consider the orbital perturbations due to wheel off-loading operations. There are some specific flight dynamics functions to operate the spacecraft bus such as wheel off-loading management, oscillator updating management, and on-station attitude reacquisition management. In this paper, the design and implementation of the COMS flight dynamics system is presented. An object oriented analysis and design methodology is applied to the flight dynamics system design. Programming language C# within Microsoft .NET framework is used for the implementation of COMS flight dynamics system on Windows based personal computer.     

空间机械臂关节动力学建模与分析的研究进展

空间机械臂的机械部分是一个由关节和臂杆等结构、机构部件组成,在空间零重力环境下运行的多体系统。关节是空间机械臂的核心部件,在机械臂动力学特性中起着重要的作用。准确全面地了解关节的动力学特性,是正确分析与模拟机械臂系统空间运动特性的关键,而建立精确的关节动力学模型,是机械臂系统设计、分析和控制的基础。文章结合空间应用的特殊性,对机械臂关节动力学建模方法的发展过程和研究成果进行了总结;并讨论了关节模型的求解算法;最后,对空间机械臂关节动力学建模与分析方面有待进一步研究的问题进行了展望。     

基于双蚁群优化的快速轨道转移

研究了Lambert转移的优化问题,并用于航天器的快速轨道机动。以二体模型为基础,在给定的转移时间范围内以燃料最省为目标函数,用蚁群算法(ACA)对Lambert机动问题进行寻优;将第一次寻优用于完成轨道机动所需的速度增量转换成航天器发动机有限推力下的时间序列;考虑地球主要摄动影响,再次用ACA对有限推力工作时段进行边值修正,保证航天器能转移至目标位置范围。仿真结果表明:双蚁群优化方法可有效修正由二体假设导致的Lambert转移的误差,同时由蚁群算法的较强寻优性能保证了Lambert机动过程的燃料最省。     

Modal control of the planar motion of a long flexible beam in orbit

Attitude control techniques for the pointing and stabilization of very large, inherently flexible spacecraft systems are investigated. The attitude dynamics and control of a long, homogeneous flexible beam whose center of mass is assumed to follow a circular orbit is analyzed. In this study, first order effects of gravity-gradient are included, whereas external perturbations and related orbital station keeping maneuvers are neglected. A mathematical model which describes the system deflections within the orbital plane has been developed by treating the beam as having a maximum of three discretized mass particles connected by massless, elastic structural elements. The uncontrolled dynamics of this system are simulated and, in addition, the effects of the control devices are considered. The concept of distributed modal control, which provides a means for controlling a system mode independently of all other modes, is examined. The effect of varying the number of modes in the model as well as the number and location of the control devices are also considered.     

双连杆柔性机械臂的动力学仿真

基于柔性杆件的有限段模型，利用Lagrange方程建市了包含刚性支座的双连杆柔性机械臂的刚、柔混合多体系统动力学模型并完成了系统的动力学仿真。仿真结果表明，有限段方法用于处理含柔性杆件的多柔体系统动力学问题是行之有效的，既可在宏观层次上模拟各柔性臂的大范围刚体运动，又可在微观层次上模拟各柔性臂的弹性振动，能够准确地反映此类系统刚柔耦合运动特性。     

Command shaping for a flexible satellite platform controlled by advanced fly-wheels systems

In this paper we consider the coupling between the flexibility of a spacecraft equipped with variable speed control moment Gyros and its attitude control system, in the framework of command shaping techniques. The analysis is performed on the set of equation of motion written in an explicit form describing a flexible platform and N wheels gimballed to it. The attitude control system is designed upon a Lyapunov based feedback relying upon a rigid body model. Whenever the structure is not stiff enough, flexibility degrades the performances of the controller that fails to track the desired history. We therefore study the possibility of altering the tracking signal fed to the controller trying to get rid of the relevant frequencies notch filtering them in order to reduce vibrations. The results obtained for a test case attitude acquisition maneuver are presented and the benefit deriving from the command shaping technique evaluated and discussed.     

携带晃动燃料柔性航天器姿态机动中的同宿环分叉研究

本文研究了带液体晃动和柔性附件的耦合航天器系统在液体燃料耗散和柔性附件扭转振动的作用下,经历从最小惯量轴到最大惯量轴姿态机动中的混沌动力学行为.将液体晃动等效为球摆模型并由此建立了带柔性附件充液航天器多体耦合系统动力学模型.首先推导出耦合系统动力学方程并采用Melnikov积分预测受扰系统稳定与不稳定流形是否横截相交,得到了参数形式表达的混沌运动解析判据,这对航天器的设计有重要的指导意义.研究发现,混沌的发生依赖于刚体形状,阻尼比,充液比和扭转振动频率.此外,在经过被动再定向姿态机动后,由于液体晃动的本质非线性特性,充液航天器最终将进行大章动角的周期极限环运动而非绕着最大惯量轴自旋.     

Survey of modeling,planning, and ground verification of space robotic systems

Space robotic systems are expected to play an increasingly important role in future space activities. Nevertheless, dynamics modeling and motion planning of a space robot are much more complex than those of a fixed-base robot, due to the dynamic coupling between the manipulator and its base. On the other hand, in order to assure the success of on-orbital missions, many experiments are required to verify the key algorithms on the ground before the space robot is launched. In this paper, the main research achievements on dynamics modeling, path planning, and ground verification are reviewed, and future studies are recommended. Firstly, we summarize the essential modeling concepts, and deduce the kinematics and dynamics equations of a space robot. Secondly, the main motion planning approaches are discussed. Then, different ground verification systems, including the air-bearing table, neutral buoyancy, airplane flying, free-falling motion, suspension system, and hybrid system, are introduced. Finally, the future research trends are forecasted.     

一种带精确补偿的卫星姿态快速机动控制方法

针对挠性卫星姿态敏捷机动中,挠性模态和星体转动惯量不确知,进而影响前馈补偿的有效性的问题,提出一种将非线性状态观测器和转动惯量辨识相结合的精确补偿控制方法。证明了一般挠性卫星动力学的非线性项满足Lipschtiz条件,可引入非线性观测器,实现了挠性模态的准确估计。设计了一种基于角速度最优阶拟合的转动惯量校正方法,进一步提高前馈补偿的精度和姿态机动的快速性。数学仿真对比结果表明：本文所提的精确补偿控制方法,能够有效减少挠性附件振动和转动惯量不准确对姿态控制的影响,提高姿态控制的响应速度,满足挠性卫星机动过程的快速性和稳定性,适用于挠性卫星的姿态敏捷机动控制。     

柔性关节空间机械臂的自适应滑模控制

探究一类时滞柔性关节空间机械臂鲁棒自适应滑模控制问题。针对该种空间机械臂具有强非线性特点，同时考虑系统的未建模动态与扰动以及时滞影响，提出一种新的鲁棒自适应滑模控制器。基于Lyapunov-Krasovskii泛函和线性矩阵不等式等凸优化方法，给出滑动模态的鲁棒渐近稳定条件，并证明系统状态在有限时间内到达滑模面。最后，三组仿真校验表明了所设计的控制器可行。