Robust Control of the Elastodynamic Vibrations of a Flexible Rotor System With Discontinuous Friction

Abstract

The work presented here deals with the control of a flexible rotor system using the μ-synthesis control technique. This technique allows for the inclusion of modeling errors in the control design process in terms of uncertainty weights. The dynamic model of the rotor system, which includes discontinuous friction, is highly nonlinear and has to be linearized around an operating point in order to use μ-synthesis. The difference between the linear and nonlinear models is characterized in terms of uncertainty weights and included in the control design process. The designed controller is robust to uncertainty in the dynamic model, spillover, actuator uncertainty, and noise. The theoretical findings of the μ-synthesis control design are validated through simulations and the results are presented and discussed here.