Control of space structures using cable actuators

Abstract

We explore the use of cable actuators for vibration suppression in space structures. The dynamics of the structure and cable-structure interaction are modeled using finite elements. It is found that the cable has two distinct effects on the structure. The first is a parametric effect, which changes the stiffness of the structure, and the second is a direct effect resulting from an external force on the structure. A general control scheme is designed using passivity analysis, where the input is the cable tension. The study is divided into two parts. In the first part, control by stiffness variation is investigated placing special emphasis on cable placement on the structure. In the second study, control by the direct force is examined and numerical and experimental results are presented.