Control Analysis with Modified LQR Method of Anti-Tank Missile with Vectorization of the Rocket Engine Thrust

This article approaches the issue of the optimal control of a hypothetical anti-tank guided missile (ATGM) with an innovative rocket engine thrust vectorization system. This is a highly non-linear dynamic system; therefore, the linearization of such a mathematical model requires numerous simplifications. For this reason, the application of a classic linear-quadratic regulator (LQR) for controlling such a flying object introduces significant errors, and such a model would diverge significantly from the actual object. This research paper proposes a modified linear-quadratic regulator, which analyzes state and control matrices in flight. The state matrix is replaced by a Jacobian determinant. The ATGM autopilot, through the LQR method, determines the signals that control the control surface deflection angles and the thrust vector via calculated Jacobians. This article supplements and develops the topics addressed in the authors’ previous work. Its added value includes the introduction of control in the flight direction channel and the decimation of the integration step, aimed at speeding up the computational processes of the second control loop, which is the LQR based on a linearized model.

Optimization of Fuzzy Logic Based Virtual Pilot for Wargaming

This paper deals with the design of an autopilot based on a set of fuzzy controllers. The model of the aircraft that the autopilot controls is defined as a model with 6 degrees of freedom, where the inputs to this model are the settings of the engine thrust (DX), rudder rotation (Dl) and elevators (Dm and Dn). The fuzzy controllers are of the Mamdani type, where the set of parameters defining the controller allow the derivation of membership functions of the input variables and membership functions of the output variables. The parameters of fuzzy controllers are determined by the optimization process. For the purpose of optimization, a fitness function is defined, which derives the simulation parameters from its parameter (vector), and the simulation subsequently performed and evaluated determines whether it is a feasible solution in addition the value of this solution. By this optimization process, the sub-optimal solution is found and is then used to define the settings of the fuzzy controllers and, therefore, the autopilot. This paper contains a description of each step of the solution of the described problem, and with the help of the obtained results, it is determined that the presented procedure allows us to find an autopilot capable of controlling the defined model of the aircraft. In addition, there is a brief description regarding the misconceptions explored during the development of the experiment.

Procedure for determining the effect of internal and external factors on the startup thrust spread of a liquid-propellant rocket engine

Despite of the package of measures to adjust a liquid-propellant rocket engine (LPRE) to a specified operating regime, minimum acceptable spreads in the geometrical parameters and operating conditions of its units and assemblies steel remain. These internal factors together with external ones (the pressure and temperature of the propellant components at the engine inlet) govern the engine thrust spread. To provide an acceptable engine thrust spread according to the engine requirements specification, it is important to know the spread value as early as at the stage of off-engine tryout of the engine units and assemblies. The aim of this work is to develop a procedure for calculating the effect of external and internal factors on the LPRE startup thrust spread. This paper presents a procedure for determining the effect of internal and external factors on the LPRE startup thrust spread. The procedure includes the development of a mathematical model of engine startup that accounts for the maximum number of internal factors, the choice of internal factors that produce the maximum effect on the LPRE startup thrust spread, the choice of a method for specifying the external and internal factor spread, engine startup calculations at different combinations of external and internal factor spread values, engine thrust spread determination, determining the statistical and the theoretical distributions of the 90 percent thrust time spread and the steady thrust spread, and assessing their goodness of fit using Pearson’s chi-squared test. The paper gives an example of calculating the effect of the external and internal factor spread on the LPRE startup thrust spread for a staged-combustion oxidizer-rich sustainer LPRE. Using the results of previous calculations, 12 internal factors that produce the maximum effect on the engine startup thrust spread are identified. It is shown that the calculated spread of the 90 percent thrust (combustion chamber pressure) time lies in the range – 0.08220s to +0.07300s about its nominal value, and the calculated steady engine thrust (combustion chamber pressure) spread lies in the range –6.4 percent to +6.6 percent of the nominal thrust. Using Pearson’s chi-squared test, an estimate is obtained for the goodness of fit of the anticipated theoretical distributions of the 90 percent thrust time spread and the steady thrust spread to the obtained statistical ones.

Use of a “green” propellant in low-thrust control jet engine systems

The aim of this work is to analyze the state of the art in the development and use of pollution-free (“green”) propellants in low-thrust jet engines used as actuators of spacecraft stabilization and flight control systems and to adapt computational methods to the determination of “green”-propellant engine thrust characteristics. The monopropellant that is now widely used in the above-mentioned engines is hydrazine, whose decomposition produces a jet thrust due to the gaseous reaction products flowing out of a supersonic nozzle. Because of the high toxicity of hydrazine and the complex technology of hydrazine filling, it is important to search for its less toxic substitutes that would compare well with it in energy and mass characteristics. A promising line of this substitution is the use of ion liquids classed with “green” ones. The main components of these propellants are a water solution of an ion liquid and a fuel component. The exothermic thermocatalytic decomposition of a “green” propellant is combined with the combustion of its fuel component and increases the combustion chamber pressure due to the formation of gaseous products, which produces an engine thrust. It is well known that a “green” propellant itself and the products of its decomposition and combustion are far less toxic that hydrazine and the products of its decomposition, The paper presents data on foreign developments of “green” propellants of different types, which are under test in ground (bench) conditions and on a number of spacecraft. The key parameter that governs the efficiency of the jet propulsion system thrust characteristics is the performance of the decomposition and combustion products, which depends on their temperature and chemical composition. The use of equilibrium high-temperature process calculation methods for this purpose is too idealized and calls for experimental verification. Besides, a substantial contribution to the end effect is made by the design features of propellant feed and flow through a fine-dispersed catalyst layer aimed at maximizing the monopropellant-catalyst contact area. As a result, in addition to the computational determination of the thrust characteristics of a propulsion system under design, its experimental tryout is mandatory. The literature gives information on the performance data of “green”-propellant propulsion systems for single engines. However, in spacecraft control engine systems their number may amount to 8–16; in addition, they operate in different regimes and may differ in thrust/throttling characteristics, which leads to unstable propellant feed to operating engines. To predict these processes, the paper suggests a mathematical model developed at the Institute of Technical Mechanics of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine and the State Space Agency of Ukraine and adapted to “green”-propellant engine systems. The model serves to calculate the operation of low-thrust jet engine systems and describes the propellant flow in propellant feed lines, propellant valves, and combustion chambers. To implement the model, use was made of the results of experimental studies on a prototype “green”-propellant engine developed at Yuzhnoye State Design Office. The analysis of the experimental results made it possible to refine the performance parameters of the monopropellant employed and obtain computational data that may be used in analyzing the operation of a single engine or an engine system on this propellant type in ground and flight conditions

ОЦІНКА ВПЛИВУ ЦЕНТРУВАННЯ НА АЕРОДИНАМІЧНУ ЯКІСТЬ, ПОЛЯРУ І ДАЛЬНІСТЬ ПОЛЬОТУ ЛІТАКА

The method of transport category airplane flight range estimation taking into account its center-of-gravity position variation in the process of fuel utilization at cruising flight mode is presented. The method structure includes the following models:– Interinfluence of main parameters on each other in the process of fuel utilization;– Estimation of CG position influence on lift-to-drag ratio in cruising mode;– Quantitative estimation of center-of-gravity position variation influence on airplane flight range.Simulation of the main parameters is based on authoring researches, establishing interinfluence among geometrical and aerodynamic parameters of wing, parameters of horizontal tail and center-of-gravity position variation caused by fuel utilization in cruise flight. Such model allows estimating airplane center-of-gravity influence on their values and relative position.Aerodynamic parameters variation caused by center-of-gravity shift resulted in necessity to take the influence into account, for required engine thrust variation; that is shown in the publication in the form of dependences allowing to take into account the required thrust variation and their influence on range variation.On the base of interinfluence model and taking into account required thrust variation (with center-of-gravity position shift), lift-to-drag variation has been obtained and analyzed in the form of dependences , for middle airplane of transport category.Expression for estimation of airplane flight range under variable values of its mass and center-of-gravity position is obtained on the base of these models; that allows to increase flight range by means of center-of-gravity position dedicated shift.On the example of mid-range transport airplane, it is shown, that at Mach number and center-of-gravity shift back from to , the increase of flight range makes .On the base of presented models, it is shown, that airplane center-of-gravity position influences lift-to-drag ratio, fuel efficiency and as a result on flight range at cruising flight mode.Application of aft center-of-gravity position allows to decrease engine required thrust (and to decrease fuel consumption), and increase lift-to-drag ratio and airplane flight range.

Methods and Algorithms of Turbojet Engines Thrust Parameters Control Unerroric

This report shows a real way for solving the problem of turbojet engine thrust parameters control in flight. The purpose of the research is the formalization of the digital methods and its algorithms for turbojet engines thrust parameters control unerroric. The methods of deductive digital signal processing and combined method of system analysis and approximate synthesis are used for such research. It is described the digital algorithms of unerroric methods wich are based on rotor speed control for turbojet engines of twin-engine airliner by its power plant control system. There are given the calculation formulas for those algorithms.

Laser–Accelerated Plasma–Propulsion System

In this paper, the laser-accelerated plasma–propulsion system (LAPPS) for a spacecraft is revisited. Starting from the general properties of relativistic propellants, the relations between specific impulse, engine thrust and rocket dynamics have been obtained. The specific impulse is defined in terms of the relativistic velocity of the propellant using the Walter’s parameterization, which is a suitable and general formalism for closed–cycle engines. Finally, the laser-driven acceleration of light ions via Target Normal Sheath Acceleration (TNSA) is discussed as a thruster. We find that LAPPS is capable of an impressive specific impulse Isp in the 105 s range for a laser intensity I0≃1021W/cm2. The limit of Isp≲104 s, which characterizes most of the other plasma-based space electric propulsion systems, can be obtained with a relatively low laser intensity of I0≳1019W/cm2. Finally, at fixed laser energy, the engine thrust can be larger by a factor 102 with respect to previous estimates, making the LAPPS potentially capable of thrust-power ratios in the N/MW range.