Range and Accuracy Improvement of Artillery Rocket Using Fixed Canards Trajectory Correction Fuze

This paper presents a two-phase guidance and control algorithm to extend the range and improve the impact point accuracy of a 122-mm rocket using a fixed canards trajectory correction fuze. The guidance algorithm consists of a unique glide and correction phase of the rocket trajectory that is activated after the flight’s apex. The glide phase operates in an open-loop configuration where guidance commands are generated to increase the range of the rocket. In contrast, the correction phase operates in a closed-loop configuration where the Impact Point Prediction method based on Modified Projectile Linear Theory is used as a feedback channel to correct the range and drift errors. The proposed fixed canards trajectory correction fuze has a simple and reliable single channel roll-orientation control configuration. The rocket trajectory model consists of a 7-DOF non-linear dynamic model of a dual-spin rocket configuration with a fixed canards correction fuze mounted at the nose. A Monte Carlo simulation of the rocket’s inertial and launch point perturbations show that the fixed canards fuze with the proposed guidance algorithm can double the range of the rocket without changing the rocket motor thrust-time curve. At the same time, the rocket’s accuracy can also be improved beyond the results of an unguided rocket.

Advanced Battery Materials Research at Nazarbayev University: Review

With the rapid development of new and advanced technologies, the request for energy storage device with better electrochemical characteristics is increasing as well. Therefore, the search and development for more novel and efficient energy storage components are imperative. In Kazakhstan there are several groups that were established to conduct research in the field of energy storage devices. One of them is professor Mansurov’s research group with we have a long time fruitful collaboration. Group at Nazarbayev University do research in design and investigation of advanced energy storage materials for high performance energy storage devices, including lithium-ion batteries, sodium-ion batteries, lithium-sulfur batteries, and aqueous rechargeable batteries, employing strategies as nanostructuring, nano/micro combination, hybridization, pore-structure control, configuration design, 3D printing, surface modification, and composition optimization. This manuscript reviews research on advanced battery materials, provided by Nazarbayev University scientists since the last 10 years.

Humans reconfigure target and distractor processing to address distinct task demands

When faced with distraction, we can focus more on goal-relevant information (targets) or focus less goal-conflicting information (distractors). How people decide to distribute cognitive control across targets and distractors remains unclear. To help address this question, we developed a parametric attentional control task with a graded manipulation to both target discriminability and distractor interference. We find that participants exert independent control over target and distractor processing. We measured control adjustments through the influence of incentives and previous conflict on target and distractor sensitivity, finding that these have dissociable influences on control. Whereas incentives preferentially led to target enhancement, conflict on the previous trial preferentially led to distractor suppression. These distinct drivers of control altered sensitivity to targets and distractors early in the trial, and were promptly followed by reactive reconfiguration towards task-appropriate feature sensitivity. Finally, we provide a process-level account of these findings by show that these control adjustments are well-captured by an evidence accumulation model with attractor dynamics over feature weights. These results help establish a process-level account of control configuration that provides new insights into how multivariate attentional signals are optimized to achieve task goals.

A Novel Driving Scheme for Three-Phase Bearingless Induction Machine with Split Winding

In order to reduce the costs of implementing the radial position control system of a three-phase bearingless machine with split winding, this article proposes a driving method that uses only two phases of the system instead of the three-phase traditional one. It reduces from six to four the number of inverter legs, drivers, sensors, and current controllers necessary to drive and control the system. To justify the proposal, this new power and control configuration was applied to a 250 W machine controlled by a digital signal processor (DSP). The results obtained demonstrated that it is possible to carry out the radial position control through two phases, without loss of performance in relation to the conventional three-phase drive and control system.

A Sustainable Energy Distribution Configuration for Microgrids Integrated to the National Grid Using Back-to-Back Converters in a Renewable Power System

A desire to produce power in microgrids has grown as the demand for electricity has expanded and the cost of installing modern transmission lines over long distances has become infeasible. As such, microgrids pose DC/AC harmonic distortion losses to the voltage supply that eventually fluctuate the output voltage. The key takeaways that this study presents are: (a) a configuration for microgrids integrated to the national grid using back-to-back converters in a renewable power system is achieved; (b) different scenarios of various schemes of sustainability of the power management in microgrids are analyzed; and (c) the reliable and stable network output power distribution is achieved. In this, the proposed control configuration provides space for construction and stability of the power system with sustainability of the power management. The results show that this current configuration works and stabilizes the network in the shortest time possible, and that the DC connection voltage is regulated and maintains reliable network output despite declining slope controllers, DC power and voltage, and power electronic back-to-back converters. Overall, the simulation results show that the proposed system shows acceptable performance under different scenarios. The accuracy of the results is validated with mathematical formulation simulation using MATLAB software. This system can be utilized in distant regions where there is no power grid or in areas where, despite having a power infrastructure, renewable energies are used to supply the output load for the majority of the day and night.

Turbocharger rotor vibration reduction methodology with an active control scheme

The turbocharger rotors are often supported on the dual film floating ring bearings that are meant for high-speed applications. The damping ability of these bearings is relatively high. However, due to highly nonlinear bearing forces, often system instability occurs. The present work focuses on the dynamic analysis and active vibration control studies of a practical turbocharger rotor system with the use electromagnetic actuator (EMA) system. Initially, the system is analyzed using the finite element approach. The inner and outer film forces are considered along with rotor imbalance forces. The dynamic responses at the critical operating speeds are obtained numerically. To minimize the vibration amplitudes, a tiny EMA system is installed at one of the nodes along the shaft. The effect of the EMA parameters such as the number of turns of winding coil around a pole ( N c) and pole-face area ( A a) on the response of the system is studied. Further, an open-loop control configuration is practically studied by using a vibration shaker at the bearing node under different operating speeds, and the percentage reduction in critical vibration amplitudes is recorded. The EMA system is effectively controlling the high-speed rotor system vibrations. The EMA parameters N c and A a are influencing the system vibration response. Further, an experimental result has given considerable vibration reduction with the present approach.

Coupler force reduction method for multiple-unit trains using a new hierarchical control system

During traction and braking of multiple-unit trains, substantial longitudinal dynamic forces might occur in couplers due to the non-optimal distribution of traction and braking forces generated by self-propelled carriages. These dynamic forces might create shocks affecting the reduction of endurance of the weakest train structural components primarily. Thus, the overall operational safety of the train is also lowered. The purpose of the paper is to develop a new control system to supervise the activities related to the longitudinal dynamics of each train carriage in a multiple-unit train to reduce the longitudinal coupler forces acting during train traction and braking. The hierarchical structure of the control system consists of two levels. The first master level of control works like standard cruise control. However, the reduction of longitudinal coupler forces is achieved by applying a second level of slave control systems with a control configuration of feedback compensation.

Bleed Air Temperature Regulation System: Modeling, Control, and Simulation

This thesis addresses temperature control of an engine bleed air system, as used on typical aircraft, with a control strategy aimed at reducing ram air usage while maintaining fast response. The analytical equations describing the system dynamics are presented, and a state space model of a cross-flow heat exchanger is developed. The heat exchanger model is then utilized in the modeling of the bleed air system under study. Different control strategies and configurations are analyzed and compared. In order to achieve fast temperature regulation while saving ram air usage, a ram-air-plus-bypass control configuration is proposed, along with the control of both load temperature and bypass valve opening. Classical PI control is employed, and a hybrid LQ/PI control method is additionally investigated for the proposed control configuration. Simulations for each control strategy are performed using a nonlinear dynamic model at several sample mission operating points, with consideration of disturbances in engine loading of ambient conditions. Comparisons are made and conclusions are drawn based on these simulations. The proposed configuration and control strategy prove to be more effective in terms of satisfying both low ram air usage and fast temperature control response.

Bleed Air Temperature Regulation System: Modeling, Control, and Simulation

This thesis addresses temperature control of an engine bleed air system, as used on typical aircraft, with a control strategy aimed at reducing ram air usage while maintaining fast response. The analytical equations describing the system dynamics are presented, and a state space model of a cross-flow heat exchanger is developed. The heat exchanger model is then utilized in the modeling of the bleed air system under study. Different control strategies and configurations are analyzed and compared. In order to achieve fast temperature regulation while saving ram air usage, a ram-air-plus-bypass control configuration is proposed, along with the control of both load temperature and bypass valve opening. Classical PI control is employed, and a hybrid LQ/PI control method is additionally investigated for the proposed control configuration. Simulations for each control strategy are performed using a nonlinear dynamic model at several sample mission operating points, with consideration of disturbances in engine loading of ambient conditions. Comparisons are made and conclusions are drawn based on these simulations. The proposed configuration and control strategy prove to be more effective in terms of satisfying both low ram air usage and fast temperature control response.

A Study on Vision-Based Backstepping Control for a Target Tracking System

This paper proposes a new method to control the pose of a camera mounted on a two-axis gimbal system for visual servoing applications. In these applications, the camera should be stable while its line-of-sight points at a target located within the camera’s field of view. One of the most challenging aspects of these systems is the coupling in the gimbal kinematics as well as the imaging geometry. Such factors must be considered in the control system design process to achieve better control performances. The novelty of this study is that the couplings in both mechanism’s kinematics and imaging geometry are decoupled simultaneously by a new technique, so popular control methods can be easily implemented, and good tracking performances are obtained. The proposed control configuration includes a calculation of the gimbal’s desired motion taking into account the coupling influence, and a control law derived by the backstepping procedure. Simulation and experimental studies were conducted, and their results validate the efficiency of the proposed control system. Moreover, comparison studies are conducted between the proposed control scheme, the image-based pointing control, and the decoupled control. This proves the superiority of the proposed approach that requires fewer measurements and results in smoother transient responses.