Feedback Control Formulations for a Complex Flexible Structure Utilizing Reaction Mass Actuators

Active control has been performed on a structure possessing complex modal behavior. This structure had closely spaced modes, creating a "beat phenomena" in the structure's free vibration. The dynamic characteristics of the actuators are reported and a model for the interaction of actuator and structure is developed. Reaction mass actuators (RMAs) were analyzed with two control schemes. A local velocity feedback (LVF) controller was designed and implemented. A full state feedback controller was designed and evaluated on an experimentally verified analytical model of the flexible structure. Various linear quadratic regulator (LQR) control laws were considered and compared to the LVF controller. An investigation was performed using the LQR controller that investigated the effects of the stroke length with a full state feedback controller.