Design and control of a real-time variable stiffness vibration isolator

Author(s):  
S. Opie ◽  
W. Yim
Author(s):  
József Sárosi ◽  
Ján Piteľ ◽  
Jaroslav Šeminský

Pneumatic muscle actuators (PMAs) differ from general pneumatic systems as they have no inner moved parts and there is no sliding on the surfaces. During action they reach high velocities, while the power/weight and power/volume rations reach high levels. The main drawbacks of PMAs are limited contraction (relative displacement), nonlinear and time variable behaviour, existence of hysteresis and step-jump pressure (to start radial diaphragm deformation) and also antagonistic connection of PMAs to generate two-direction motion. These make PMAs difficult to modelling and control. In this paper a new stiffness model and the variable-stiffness spring-like characteristics are described and tested using two Fluidic Muscles made by Festo Company. The muscles have the same diameter, but different length.


2011 ◽  
Vol 22 (2) ◽  
pp. 113-125 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. Opie ◽  
W. Yim

A magnetorheological elastomer (MRE-based semi-active (SA) vibration isolator is developed and tested in real-time with a SA controller, illustrating the feasibility of MRE-based isolators. While several researchers have applied MREs to tunable vibration absorbers (TVAs), little work has been done using MREs in primary isolation systems. Further, in cases where TVAs were developed, few SA controllers were implemented in proof of concept experiments. This article presents a magnetically biased MRE-based vibration isolator, which enables the device to have a fail-safe operation in the event of a power failure. To test the effectiveness of the MRE isolator, a SA controller is developed to minimize the payload velocity. A comparison by simulation of variable modulus and damping systems is also presented. Finally, experimental results are given, showing that the MRE isolator and SA controller system reduce resonances and payload velocities by 16-30% when compared to passive systems.


Author(s):  
R. Rajesh ◽  
R. Droopad ◽  
C. H. Kuo ◽  
R. W. Carpenter ◽  
G. N. Maracas

Knowledge of material pseudodielectric functions at MBE growth temperatures is essential for achieving in-situ, real time growth control. This allows us to accurately monitor and control thicknesses of the layers during growth. Undesired effusion cell temperature fluctuations during growth can thus be compensated for in real-time by spectroscopic ellipsometry. The accuracy in determining pseudodielectric functions is increased if one does not require applying a structure model to correct for the presence of an unknown surface layer such as a native oxide. Performing these measurements in an MBE reactor on as-grown material gives us this advantage. Thus, a simple three phase model (vacuum/thin film/substrate) can be used to obtain thin film data without uncertainties arising from a surface oxide layer of unknown composition and temperature dependence.In this study, we obtain the pseudodielectric functions of MBE-grown AlAs from growth temperature (650°C) to room temperature (30°C). The profile of the wavelength-dependent function from the ellipsometry data indicated a rough surface after growth of 0.5 μm of AlAs at a substrate temperature of 600°C, which is typical for MBE-growth of GaAs.


1994 ◽  
Vol 33 (01) ◽  
pp. 60-63 ◽  
Author(s):  
E. J. Manders ◽  
D. P. Lindstrom ◽  
B. M. Dawant

Abstract:On-line intelligent monitoring, diagnosis, and control of dynamic systems such as patients in intensive care units necessitates the context-dependent acquisition, processing, analysis, and interpretation of large amounts of possibly noisy and incomplete data. The dynamic nature of the process also requires a continuous evaluation and adaptation of the monitoring strategy to respond to changes both in the monitored patient and in the monitoring equipment. Moreover, real-time constraints may imply data losses, the importance of which has to be minimized. This paper presents a computer architecture designed to accomplish these tasks. Its main components are a model and a data abstraction module. The model provides the system with a monitoring context related to the patient status. The data abstraction module relies on that information to adapt the monitoring strategy and provide the model with the necessary information. This paper focuses on the data abstraction module and its interaction with the model.


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