Vibration isolation active control techniques and testing in a micro-gravity environment
Since orbitting space stations do not provide a perfect micro-gravity environment, vibration isolation techniques must be employed for sensitive experiments, such as crystal growing. A non-contact approach using magnetic levitation for active vibration isolation has been developed previously that...
| Main Author: | |
|---|---|
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
2009
|
| Online Access: | http://hdl.handle.net/2429/5933 |
| Summary: | Since orbitting space stations do not provide a perfect micro-gravity environment, vibration
isolation techniques must be employed for sensitive experiments, such as crystal
growing. A non-contact approach using magnetic levitation for active vibration isolation
has been developed previously that can be used in all micro-gravity situations. Using
advanced controller techniques, it should be possible to lower the stiffness of the magnetic
coupling below levels achievable by PID control.
This thesis examines controlling magnetic levitation (MAGLEV) for improved vibration
isolation on Earth and in a micro-gravity environment. Lorentz forces are used
to levitate a large platform holding the application in an experimental system using
this MAGLEV technology. This technology is described and two designs of it's application
are presented. Vibration control techniques are investigated, with and
Q-parameterization algorithms explained and employed in active control in a normal
gravity environment. A smaller magnetically levitated wrist device is then described and
employed in a coarse-fine approach to isolating acceleration disturbances in the microgravity
environment provided by NASA's DC-9 performing parabolic flights. Results of
the testing done on the flight is given and analyzed. |
|---|