Active Damping Control of a Flexible Space Structure Using Piezoelectric Sensors and Actuators

Abstract

This thesis details the experimental analysis of an active damping control technique applied to the Naval Postgraduate School's Flexible Spacecraft simulator using piezoceramic sensors and actuators. The mass property of the flexible arm is varied to study the frequency effects on the Positive Position Feedback (PPF) algorithm. Multi-modal dynamic response is analytically studied using a finite-element model of a cantilevered beam while under the influence of three different control laws: a basic law derived from the Lyapunov Stability Theorem, PPF and Strain Rate Feedback (SRF). The advantages and disadvantages of using PPF and SRF for active damping control are discussed.