Simultaneous design of mechanism and control system for smart structures (optimization of piezoelectric placement and application to magnetic disk drive)

The placement of the piezoelectric actuator and H/sub 2/ control system in a smart structure are simultaneously optimized by the genetic algorithm to achieve an enhanced vibration control performance. Efficient optimization algorithm based on a two-step procedure is employed in the simultaneous optimization. in which the optimal piezoelectric placement and state feedback controller are obtained by the genetic algorithm at the 1st-step and then the dynamic compensator for the output feedback is reconstructed at the 2nd-step of the optimization. It is verified by sonic applications with a plate structure and a magnetic disk drive that an enhanced performance for the vibration suppression can be achieved by the optimal design presented.