Development of a two-dimensional skin friction balance nulling circuit using multivariable control theoryMeasurement of planar skin friction forces in aerodynamic testing currently requires installation of two perpendicularly mounted, single-axis balances; consequently, force components must be sensed at two distinct locations. A two-axis instrument developed at the Langley Research Center to overcome this disadvantage allows measurement of a two-dimensional force at one location. This paper describes a feedback-controlled nulling circuit developed for the NASA two-axis balance which, without external compensation, is inherently unstable because of its low friction mechanical design. Linear multivariable control theory is applied to an experimentally validated mathematical model of the balance to synthesize a state-variable feedback control law. Pole placement techniques and computer simulation studies are employed to select eigenvalues which provide ideal transient response with decoupled sensing dynamics.
Document ID
19880064694
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Conference Paper
Authors
Tripp, John S. (NASA Langley Research Center Hampton, VA, United States)
Patek, Stephen D. (NASA Langley Research Center Hampton, VA, United States)