Active Control of Nonlinear Aeroelasticity

通过利用计算机模拟和风洞试验，可以确定气动弹性系统在一定空速范围和系统参数组合下的动态响应，包括结构线性和非线性配置。包括一个或多个控制表面使得能够探索各种控制方法，这些控制方法可以被定制以实现期望的结果，并且还可能潜在地引入由控制表面引起的附加动态现象。该项目的主要目标是：为了研究在存在各种类型的结构非线性的情况下气动弹性系统的动态行为，为了研究非线性主动控制方法在减轻振动和/或规定这种系统的动力学方面的应用，一旦理解了上述两项，包括阵风的影响，（即在没有主动控制的情况下）和受控（即采用主动控制）系统的动态特性。为达到上述目标，应采取的方法包括：模拟气动弹性响应（主要使用Matlab，Simulink）的数值模型的各种配置的柔性固定翼钻机配备了两个控制面（适用于风洞安装和测试），已经可以使用，运行动态测试（包括模态测试），以设计和定制适合在柔性固定翼钻机中部署的非线性，在项目的后期阶段，在有阵风输入和无阵风输入的情况下，对各种构型的柔性固定翼试验台进行了线性和非线性的风洞试验。理想的结果是，该项目开发了用于具有各种类型和水平的非线性的气动弹性系统的主动控制的新方法，这些方法在阵风输入很大的情况下也是有效的。在存在非线性和阵风输入的情况下控制气动弹性系统的动力学的能力的这种增加-这两者在真实的世界中是非常真实的现象-将转化为实际益处，例如飞机的寿命、增加乘客舒适度、在设计过程中不需要过度保守的安全系数等，最终导致显著的成本节约和更环保的工程。

By utilising computer simulation and wind tunnel testing, the dynamic responses of an aeroelastic system can be determined for a range of airspeeds and combinations of system parameters, for both structurally linear and nonlinear configurations. The inclusion of one or more control surfaces enables the exploration of a variety of control methods that may be tailored to achieve a desired outcome, and could also potentially introduce additional dynamic phenomena arising from the control surface. The key aims of this project are: To investigate the dynamic behaviour of an aeroelastic system in the presence of various types of structural nonlinearity, To investigate the application of nonlinear active control methods to mitigate vibrations and/or prescribe the dynamics of such systems, Once an understanding of the above two items has been gained, to include the effects of gusts and investigate both uncontrolled (i.e. in the absence of active control) and controlled (i.e. with active control applied) dynamic behaviour of the system.The approach to be followed in meeting the above aims include: Simulating aeroelastic response (mainly using Matlab, Simulink) of a numerical model of various configurations of a flexible fixed-wing rig equipped with two control surfaces (suitable for wind tunnel mounting and testing), already available for use, Running dynamic tests (including modal testing) to design and customise nonlinearities that are appropriate for deployment in the flexible fixed-wing rig, At a later stage in the project, running wind tunnel experiments on various configurations of the flexible fixed-wing rig, for both linear and nonlinear cases, with and without gust inputs.The ideal outcome is that this project develops novel methods for active control of aeroelastic systems with various types and levels of nonlinearities, which are also effective in situations where gust inputs are significant. Such an increase in the ability to control the dynamics of aeroelastic systems in the presence of nonlinearities and gust inputs - both of which are very real phenomena in the real world - will translate to practical benefits such as longevity of aircraft, increase passenger comfort, not requiring overly conservative safety factors in the design process etc, ultimately resulting in significant cost savings and greener engineering.