Given the advantages of parallel manipulators and lightweight manipulators, a 3-PRR planar parallel manipulator with three lightweight intermediate links has been developed to provide an alternative high-speed pick-and-place positioning mechanism to serial architecture manipulators in electronic manufacturing, such as X-Y tables or gantry robots. Lightweight members are more likely to exhibit structural defection and vibrate due to the inertial forces from high speed motion, and external forces from actuators. Structural flexibility effects are much more pronounced at high operational speeds and accelerations. Therefore, this thesis presents the dynamics and vibration control of a 3-PRR parallel manipulator with three flexible links. Firstly, a procedure for the generation of dynamic equations for a 3-PRR parallel manipulator with three flexible intermediate links is presented based on the assumed mode method. The dynamic equations of the parallel manipulator with three flexible intermediate links are developed using pinned-pinned boundary conditions. Experimental modal tests are performed using an impact hammer and an accelerometer to identify the mode shapes, frequencies, and damping ratios of flexible intermediate links. The mode shapes and frequencies, obtained from experimental modal tests, match very well the assumed mode shapes and frequencies obtained based on pinned-pinned boundary conditions, and therefore the dynamic model developed is validated. Secondly, this thesis presents the investigation on dynamic stiffening and buckling of the flexible links of a 3-PRR parallel manipulator by including the effect of longitudinal forces on the modal characteristics. Natural frequencies of bending vibration of the intermediate links are derived as the functions of axial force and rigid-body motion of the manipulator. Dynamic stiffening and buckling of intermediate links is investigated and configuration-dependant frequencies are analyzed. Furthermore, using Lagrange multipliers, the fully coupled equations of motions of the flexible parallel manipulator are developed by incorporating the rigid body motions with elastic motions. The mutual dependence of elastic deformations and rigid body motions are investigated from the analysis of the derived equations of motion. Open-loop simulation without joint motion controls and closed-loop simulation with joint motion controls are performed to illustrate the effect of elastic motion on rigid body motions and the coupling effect amongst flexible links. These analyses and results provide valuable insight into the design and control of the parallel manipulator with flexible intermediate links. Thirdly, an active vibration control strategy is developed for a moving 3-PRR parallel manipulator with flexible links, each of which is equipped with multiple PZT control pairs. The active vibration controllers are designed using the modal strain rate feedback (MSRF). The amplification behavior of high modes is addressed, and the control gain selection strategy for high modes is developed through modifying the IMSC method. The filters are developed for the on-line estimation of modal coordinates and modal velocity. The second compensator is used to cut off the amplified noises and unmodeled dynamics due to the differentiation operation in the developed controller. The modal coupling behavior of intermediate links is examined with the modal analysis of vibrations measured by the PZT sensors. The error estimation of the moving platform is examined using the measurement of PZT sensors. Finally, an active vibration control experimental system is built to implement the active vibration control of a moving 3-PRR parallel manipulator with three flexible links. The smart structures are built through mounting three PZT control pairs to each intermediate flexible link. The active vibration control system is set up using National Instruments LabVIEW Real-Time Module. Active vibration control experiments are conducted for the manipulator moving with high-speed, and experimental results demonstrate that the vibration of each link is significantly reduced.

Given the advantages of parallel manipulators and lightweight manipulators, a 3-PRR planar parallel manipulator with three lightweight intermediate links has been developed to provide an alternative high-speed pick-and-place positioning mechanism to serial architecture manipulators in electronic manufacturing, such as X-Y tables or gantry robots. Lightweight members are more likely to exhibit structural defection and vibrate due to the inertial forces from high speed motion, and external forces from actuators. Structural flexibility effects are much more pronounced at high operational speeds and accelerations. Therefore, this thesis presents the dynamics and vibration control of a 3-PRR parallel manipulator with three flexible links. Firstly, a procedure for the generation of dynamic equations for a 3-PRR parallel manipulator with three flexible intermediate links is presented based on the assumed mode method. The dynamic equations of the parallel manipulator with three flexible intermediate links are developed using pinned-pinned boundary conditions. Experimental modal tests are performed using an impact hammer and an accelerometer to identify the mode shapes, frequencies, and damping ratios of flexible intermediate links. The mode shapes and frequencies, obtained from experimental modal tests, match very well the assumed mode shapes and frequencies obtained based on pinned-pinned boundary conditions, and therefore the dynamic model developed is validated. Secondly, this thesis presents the investigation on dynamic stiffening and buckling of the flexible links of a 3-PRR parallel manipulator by including the effect of longitudinal forces on the modal characteristics. Natural frequencies of bending vibration of the intermediate links are derived as the functions of axial force and rigid-body motion of the manipulator. Dynamic stiffening and buckling of intermediate links is investigated and configuration-dependant frequencies are analyzed. Furthermore, using Lagrange multipliers, the fully coupled equations of motions of the flexible parallel manipulator are developed by incorporating the rigid body motions with elastic motions. The mutual dependence of elastic deformations and rigid body motions are investigated from the analysis of the derived equations of motion. Open-loop simulation without joint motion controls and closed-loop simulation with joint motion controls are performed to illustrate the effect of elastic motion on rigid body motions and the coupling effect amongst flexible links. These analyses and results provide valuable insight into the design and control of the parallel manipulator with flexible intermediate links. Thirdly, an active vibration control strategy is developed for a moving 3-PRR parallel manipulator with flexible links, each of which is equipped with multiple PZT control pairs. The active vibration controllers are designed using the modal strain rate feedback (MSRF). The amplification behavior of high modes is addressed, and the control gain selection strategy for high modes is developed through modifying the IMSC method. The filters are developed for the on-line estimation of modal coordinates and modal velocity. The second compensator is used to cut off the amplified noises and unmodeled dynamics due to the differentiation operation in the developed controller. The modal coupling behavior of intermediate links is examined with the modal analysis of vibrations measured by the PZT sensors. The error estimation of the moving platform is examined using the measurement of PZT sensors. Finally, an active vibration control experimental system is built to implement the active vibration control of a moving 3-PRR parallel manipulator with three flexible links. The smart structures are built through mounting three PZT control pairs to each intermediate flexible link. The active vibration control system is set up using National Instruments LabVIEW Real-Time Module. Active vibration control experiments are conducted for the manipulator moving with high-speed, and experimental results demonstrate that the vibration of each link is significantly reduced.

Máquinas rotativas são sempre sujeitas à vibrações mecânicas, em menor ou maior grau, e para garantir um correto funcionamento destas máquinas, evitando falhas de operação, é necessário realizar o controle destas vibrações. Uma das frentes que vem se destacando nesta área é o controle ativo de vibrações. Neste tipo de abordagem as vibrações são controladas ativamente através de um sistema de atuação e de uma técnica de controle a ser empregada de forma satisfatória. Neste contexto, existem inúmeras abordagens da teoria de controle que podem ser aplicadas, e aqui é avaliada a aplicação da metodologia proposta por Udwadia e Kalaba para o controle de trajetória de sistemas não lineares, uma técnica de controle ainda não utilizada no controle ativo de vibrações em sistemas rotativos. Em um primeiro momento a avaliação do desempenho e potencial de aplicação desta metodologia é realizada em sistemas com quatro graus de liberdade através de comparação com controladores do tipo proporcional-integral-derivativo e regulador linear-quadrático. Os resultados obtidos pelo controlador avaliado são similares aos resultados obtidos pelo controlador proporcional-integral-derivativo com melhorias em termos de erro de posicionamento. A metodologia também é avaliada em um sistema rotativo com um maior número de graus de liberdade, no qual é possível compreender o comportamento do controlador em um sistema flexível. Por fim realiza-se um exemplo de aplicação da técnica em um sistema com um eixo rígido e mancal hidrodinâmico ativo de atuação eletromagnética. Os resultados de simulação obtidos mostram que a metodologia possui potencial de aplicação para sistemas que apresentam eixo rígido, no qual uma drástica redução na amplitude de vibração do sistema foi observada por toda faixa de operação avaliada, enquanto que a sua aplicação em sistemas com eixo flexível se tornou restrita aos dois primeiros modos de vibrar do sistema flexível utilizado, modelado através do método dos elementos finitos. / Rotating machinery are always subject to mechanical vibration to a lesser or greater degree, and to ensure proper operation of these machines, avoiding faulty operation, it is necessary to carry out the control of these vibrations. One of the fronts that stood out in this area is the active vibration control. In this type of approach, vibrations are actively managed through an actuation system and a control technique to be used satisfactorily. In this context, there are numerous approaches to control theory that can be applied, and here the application of the methodology proposed by Udwadia and Kalaba for trajectory control of nonlinear systems is evaluated, a control technique not yet used in active vibration control in rotating systems. At first the evaluation of the performance and potential application of this methodology is performed on systems with four degrees of freedom by comparison with controllers of the proportional-integral-derivative and linear-quadratic regulator type. The results of the evaluated controller are similar to results obtained by proportional-integral-derivative controller with improvements in positioning error. The methodology is also evaluated in a rotating system with a larger number of degrees of freedom, wherein we can understand the controllers behavior in a flexible system. Finally, an application example of the technique on a system with a rigid shaft and hydrodynamic bearing with electromagnetic actuators is presented. The obtained simulation results show that the method has application potential to systems having rigid shaft, in which a dramatic reduction in the amplitude of vibration of the system was observed at all the operating range evaluated, whereas their application in systems with flexible shaft became restricted to the first two vibration modes of the flexible system used, modeled by the finite element method.

"The recent years have seen the innovative system integration of a great many actuator technologies, such as point force actuators for space vehicle applications and the use of single fire actuators; such as pyrocharges to guide a free falling bomb to it’s target. The inherent limitations of these developments, such as nonlinear behavior under extreme environments and/or prolonged/repeated usage leading to a relaxation time component between firing of actuators and inherent system power limitations, have resulted in greater need for sophisticated control algorithms that allow for optimal switching between various actuators in any given embedded configuration so as to achieve the best possible performance of the system. The objective of this investigation is to offer a proof of concept experimental verification of a real time control algorithm, which switches between online piezoelectric actuators, employed for vibration control in an aluminum beam with fixed boundary conditions. In this investigation at a given interval of time, only one actuator is activated and the rest are kept dormant. The reason is to demonstrate the better vibration alleviation characteristics realized in switching between actuators depending on the state of the system, over the use of a single actuator that is always in fire mode. This effect is particularly pronounced in controlling systems affected by spatiotemporal disturbances. The algorithm can be easily adapted for various design configurations or system requirements. The optimality of switching is with respect to the minimal cost of an LQR performance index that corresponds to each actuator. Computer simulations with repeatable disturbance profiles, revealed that this algorithm offered better performance over the non-switched case. Performance measures employed were the time varying total energy norm of the dynamic system and position traces at any particular location on the beam. This algorithm was incorporated on a dSPACE rapid prototyping platform along with suitable hardware. Experimental and simulation results are discussed. "

Máquinas rotativas são sempre sujeitas à vibrações mecânicas, em menor ou maior grau, e para garantir um correto funcionamento destas máquinas, evitando falhas de operação, é necessário realizar o controle destas vibrações. Uma das frentes que vem se destacando nesta área é o controle ativo de vibrações. Neste tipo de abordagem as vibrações são controladas ativamente através de um sistema de atuação e de uma técnica de controle a ser empregada de forma satisfatória. Neste contexto, existem inúmeras abordagens da teoria de controle que podem ser aplicadas, e aqui é avaliada a aplicação da metodologia proposta por Udwadia e Kalaba para o controle de trajetória de sistemas não lineares, uma técnica de controle ainda não utilizada no controle ativo de vibrações em sistemas rotativos. Em um primeiro momento a avaliação do desempenho e potencial de aplicação desta metodologia é realizada em sistemas com quatro graus de liberdade através de comparação com controladores do tipo proporcional-integral-derivativo e regulador linear-quadrático. Os resultados obtidos pelo controlador avaliado são similares aos resultados obtidos pelo controlador proporcional-integral-derivativo com melhorias em termos de erro de posicionamento. A metodologia também é avaliada em um sistema rotativo com um maior número de graus de liberdade, no qual é possível compreender o comportamento do controlador em um sistema flexível. Por fim realiza-se um exemplo de aplicação da técnica em um sistema com um eixo rígido e mancal hidrodinâmico ativo de atuação eletromagnética. Os resultados de simulação obtidos mostram que a metodologia possui potencial de aplicação para sistemas que apresentam eixo rígido, no qual uma drástica redução na amplitude de vibração do sistema foi observada por toda faixa de operação avaliada, enquanto que a sua aplicação em sistemas com eixo flexível se tornou restrita aos dois primeiros modos de vibrar do sistema flexível utilizado, modelado através do método dos elementos finitos. / Rotating machinery are always subject to mechanical vibration to a lesser or greater degree, and to ensure proper operation of these machines, avoiding faulty operation, it is necessary to carry out the control of these vibrations. One of the fronts that stood out in this area is the active vibration control. In this type of approach, vibrations are actively managed through an actuation system and a control technique to be used satisfactorily. In this context, there are numerous approaches to control theory that can be applied, and here the application of the methodology proposed by Udwadia and Kalaba for trajectory control of nonlinear systems is evaluated, a control technique not yet used in active vibration control in rotating systems. At first the evaluation of the performance and potential application of this methodology is performed on systems with four degrees of freedom by comparison with controllers of the proportional-integral-derivative and linear-quadratic regulator type. The results of the evaluated controller are similar to results obtained by proportional-integral-derivative controller with improvements in positioning error. The methodology is also evaluated in a rotating system with a larger number of degrees of freedom, wherein we can understand the controllers behavior in a flexible system. Finally, an application example of the technique on a system with a rigid shaft and hydrodynamic bearing with electromagnetic actuators is presented. The obtained simulation results show that the method has application potential to systems having rigid shaft, in which a dramatic reduction in the amplitude of vibration of the system was observed at all the operating range evaluated, whereas their application in systems with flexible shaft became restricted to the first two vibration modes of the flexible system used, modeled by the finite element method.

<p>Active vibration control to reduce vibrations and structure borne noise is considered using a powerful multi-disciplinary virtual design environment which enables control system design to be considered as an integral part of the overall vehicle design.</p><p>The main application studied is active automotive engine vibration isolation where, first, the potential of large frequency band multi-input multi-output H₂ feedback control is considered. Facilitated by the virtual environment, it is found necessary to take non-linear characteristics into account to achieve closed-loop stability.</p><p>A physical explanation to why receiver structure flexibility insignificantly affect the open and closed-loop characteristics in case of total force feedback in contrast to acceleration feedback is then given. In this context, the inherent differences between model order reduction by modal and by balanced truncation are being stressed.</p><p>Next, applying state-of-the-art algorithms for recursive parameter estimation, time-domain adaptive filtering is shown to lack sufficient tracking performance to deal with multiple spectral components of transient engine excitations corresponding to rapid car accelerations.</p><p>Finally, plant non-linearity as well as transient excitation are successfully handled using narrow band control based on feedback of disturbance states estimates. To deal with the non-linear characteristics, an approach to generate linear parameter varying descriptions of non-linear systems is proposed. Parameter dependent quadratic stability is assessed using a derived affine closed-loop system representation.</p><p>This thesis also considers actuator saturation induced limit cycles for observer-based state feedback control systems encountered when dealing with the active isolation application. It is stressed that the fundamental observer-based anti-windup technique could imply severely deteriorated closed-loop characteristics and even sustained oscillations. That is in the case when the observer is fed by the saturated control signal in contrast to the computed one. Based on piecewise affine system descriptions, analytical tools to conclude about limit cycles and exponential closed-loop stability are provided for the two observer implementations.</p>

Active vibration control to reduce vibrations and structure borne noise is considered using a powerful multi-disciplinary virtual design environment which enables control system design to be considered as an integral part of the overall vehicle design. The main application studied is active automotive engine vibration isolation where, first, the potential of large frequency band multi-input multi-output H2 feedback control is considered. Facilitated by the virtual environment, it is found necessary to take non-linear characteristics into account to achieve closed-loop stability. A physical explanation to why receiver structure flexibility insignificantly affect the open and closed-loop characteristics in case of total force feedback in contrast to acceleration feedback is then given. In this context, the inherent differences between model order reduction by modal and by balanced truncation are being stressed. Next, applying state-of-the-art algorithms for recursive parameter estimation, time-domain adaptive filtering is shown to lack sufficient tracking performance to deal with multiple spectral components of transient engine excitations corresponding to rapid car accelerations. Finally, plant non-linearity as well as transient excitation are successfully handled using narrow band control based on feedback of disturbance states estimates. To deal with the non-linear characteristics, an approach to generate linear parameter varying descriptions of non-linear systems is proposed. Parameter dependent quadratic stability is assessed using a derived affine closed-loop system representation. This thesis also considers actuator saturation induced limit cycles for observer-based state feedback control systems encountered when dealing with the active isolation application. It is stressed that the fundamental observer-based anti-windup technique could imply severely deteriorated closed-loop characteristics and even sustained oscillations. That is in the case when the observer is fed by the saturated control signal in contrast to the computed one. Based on piecewise affine system descriptions, analytical tools to conclude about limit cycles and exponential closed-loop stability are provided for the two observer implementations.

Conformal airborne antennas have several advantages compared to externally mounted antennas, and they will play an important role in future aircrafts. However, they are subjected to vibration induced deformations which degrade their electromagnetic performances. With the motivation of suppressing such vibrations, use of active vibration control techniques with piezoelectric actuators is investigated in this study. At first, it is aimed to control the first three bending modes of a cantilever beam. In this scope, four different modal controllers / positive position feedback (PPF), resonant control (RC), integral resonant control (IRC) and positive position feedback with feed-through (PPFFT) are designed based on both reduced order finite element model and the system identification model. PPFFT, is a modified version of PPF which is proposed as a new controller in this study. Results of real- time control experiments show that PPFFT presents superior performance compared to its predecessor, PPF, and other two methods. In the second part of the study, it is focused on controlling the first three modes of a rectangular plate with four clamped edges. Best location alternatives for three piezoelectric actuators are determined with modal strain energy method. Based on the reduced order finite element model, three PPFFT controllers are designed for three collocated transfer functions. Disturbance rejection performances show the convenience of PPFFT in multi-input multi-output control systems. Performance of the control system is also verified by discrete-time simulations for a random disturbance representing the in-flight aircraft vibration characteristics.

This study focuses on developing structural health monitoring techniques to detect damage in deepwater risers subjected to vortex-induced vibration (VIV), and studying vibration control strategies to extend the service life of offshore structures. Vibration-based damage detection needs both responses from the undamaged and damaged deepwater risers. Because no experimental data for damaged deepwater risers is available, a model to predict the VIV responses of deepwater risers with given conditions is needed, which is the forward problem. In this study, a new three dimensional (3D) analytical model is proposed considering coupled VIV (in-line and cross-flow) for top-tensioned riser (TTR) with wake oscillators. The model is verified by direct numerical simulations and experimental data. The inverse problem is to detect damage using VIV responses from the analytical models with/without damage, where the change between dynamic properties obtained from riser responses represents damage. The inverse problem is performed in two steps: blind identification and damage detection. For blind identification, a wavelet modified second order blind identification (WMSOBI) method and a complex WMSOBI (CWMSOBI) method are proposed to extract modal properties from output only responses for standing and traveling wave vibration, respectively. Numerical simulations and experiments validate the effectiveness of proposed methods. For damage detection, a novel weighted distribution force change (WDFC) index (for standing wave) and a phase angle change (PAC) index (for traveling wave) are proposed and proven numerically. Experiments confirm that WDFC can accurately locate damage and estimate damage severity. Furthermore, a new fatigue damage estimation method involving WMSOBI, S-N curve and Miner's rule is proposed and proven to be effective using field test data. Vibration control is essential to extend the service life and enhance the safety of offshore structures. Literature review shows that semi-active control devices are potentially a good solution. A novel semi-active control strategy is proposed to tune the damper properties to match the dominant frequency of the structural response in real-time. The effectiveness of proposed strategy in vibration reduction for deepwater risers and offshore floating wind turbines is also validated through numerical studies.

In this thesis, an attitude control system based on Linear Quadratic Regulator (LQR) technique is developed for a hypothetical Earth observation satellite with a long flexible boom. To improve pointing performance of the satellite, the piezoelectric actuators are used as well. The boom is rectangular made of aluminum with the surface bonded piezoelectric layers on all four surfaces. The boom is modeled using finite elements. The pointing performance of the satellite using various metrics is evaluated through simulations. Effectiveness of the piezoelectric actuators is demonstrated.