Dynamic modeling and simulation for the flexible spacecraft with dynamic stiffening

A rigid flexible coupling physical model which can represent a flexible spacecraft is investigated in this paper. By applying the mechanics theory in a non-inertial coordinate system,the rigid flexible coupling dynamic model with dynamic stiffening is established via the subsystemmodeling framework. It is clearly elucidated for the first time that,dynamic stiffening is produced by the coupling effect of the centrifugal inertial load distributed on the beamand the transverse vibration deformation of the beam. The modeling approach in this paper successfully avoids problems which are caused by other popular modeling methods nowadays： the derivation process is too complex by using only one dynamic principle; a clearly theoretical explanation for dynamic stiffening can＇t be provided. First,the continuous dynamic models of the flexible beamand the central rigid body are established via structural dynamics and angular momentumtheory respectively. Then,based on the conclusions of orthogonalization about the normal constrained modes,the finite dimensional dynamic model suitable for controller design is obtained. The numerical simulation validations showthat： dynamic stiffening is successfully incorporated into the dynamic characteristics of the first-order model established in this paper,which can indicate the dynamic responses of the rigid flexible coupling system with large overall motion accurately,and has a clear modeling mechanism,concise expressions and a good convergence.

Dynamic analysis of multi-link spatial flexible manipulator arms with dynamic stiffening effects

The dynamics for multi-link spatial flexible manipulator arms is investigated. The system considered here is an N-flexible-link manipulator driven by N DC-motors through N revolute flexiblejoints. The flexibility of each flexible joint is modeled as a linearly elastic torsional spring, and the mass of the joint is also considered. For the flexibility of the link, all of the stretching deformation, bending deformation and the torsional deformation are included. The complete governing equations of motion of the system are derived via the Lagrange equations. The nonlinear description of the deformation field of the flexible link is adopted in the dynamic modeling, and thus the dynamic stiffening effects are captured. Based on this model, a general-purpose software package for dynamic simulation of multi-link spatial flexible manipulator arms is developed. Several illustrative examples are given to validate the algorithm presented in this paper and to indicate that not only dynamic stiffening effects but also the flexibility of the structure has significant influence on the dynamic performance of the manipulator.

DYNAMIC BEHAVIOR OF THIN RECTANGULAR PLATE ATTACHED TO MOVING RIGID

A nonlinear dynamic model of a thin rectangular plate attached to a moving rigid was established by employing the general Hamilton＇s variational principle. Based on the new model, it is proved theoretically that both phenomena of dynamic stiffening and dynamic softening can occur in the plate when the rigid undergoes different large overall motions including overall translational and rotary motions. It was also proved that dynamic softening effect even can make the trivial equilibrium of the plate lose its stability through bifurcation. Assumed modes method was employed to validate the theoretical result and analyze the approximately critical bifurcation value and the postbuckling equilibria.

Dynamic modeling and simulation for the rigid flexible coupling system with a non-tip mass

The rigid flexible coupling system with a mass at non-tip position of the flexible beam is studied in this paper. Using the theory about mechanics problems in a non-inertial coordinate sys- tem, the dynamic equations of the rigid flexible coupling system with dynamic stiffening are estab- lished. It is clearly elucidated for the first time that, dynamic stiffening is produced by the coupling effect of the centrifugal inertial load distributed on the beam and the transverse vibration deformation of the beam. The modeling approach in this paper successfully solves problems of popular modeling methods nowadays： the derivation process is too complex by using only one dynamic principle; a clearly theoretical mechanism for dynamic stiffening can＇ t be offered. First, the mass at non-tip po- sition is incorporated into the continuous dynamic equations of the system by use of the Dirac lunch tion and the Heaviside function. Then, based on the conclusions of orthogonalization about the nor- mal constrained modes, the finite dimensional state space equations suitable for controller design are obtained. The numerical simulation results show that： dynamic stiffening is included in the first-or- der model established in this paper, which indicates the dynamic responses of the rigid flexible cou- pling system with large overall motion accurately. The results also show that the mass has a soften- ing effect on the dynamic behavior of the flexible beam, and the effect would be more obvious when the mass has a larger mass, or lies closer to the tip of the beam.

COMPUTER AIDED ANALYSIS OF FLEXI－BLE MEMBER IN CONSIDERATION OF THE EFFECTS OF DYNAMIC STI－FFEN－ING

A recently developed procedure to capture the dynamic stiffening of an arbitrary flexiblemember in large overall motion accompanied by small elastic vibrations is presented. A mechanicalsystem that consists of one or more flexible members is called a flexible mechanical system. If thesystem is considered as a multibody system, the flexiblemember can be considered as a flexible bodyin a flexible multibody system. Having retained the nonlinearitites up to an appropriate point in theanalysis, the linearization is then performed properiy so that the dynamic stiffening terms can befound naturally, while the explicit formulation of the governing equations for the deformation mo-tion is ultimately linear. Based on the procedure, the effects of dynamic stiffening are investigatedqualitatively and quantitatively with analytical and numerical examples. The results are useful incomputer aid analysis of the dynamic behavior of flexible mechanical systems.

DYNAMICS OF A ROTATING FLEXIBLE MANIPULATOR WITH TIP LOAD

The dynamics of a flexible manipulator is investigated in this paper. From the point of view of dynamic balance, the motion equations of a rotating beam with tip load are established by us ing Hamilton' s principle. By taking into account the effects of dynamic stiffening and dynamic softening, the stability of the system is proved by employing Lyapunov' s approach. Furthermore, the method of power series is proposed to find the exact solution of the eigenvalue problem The effects of rotating speed and tip load on the vibration behavior of the flexible manipulator are shown in numerical results.

Nonlinear analysis on dynamic buckling of eccentrically stiffened functionally graded material toroidal shell segment surrounded by elastic foundations in thermal environment and under time-dependent torsional loads

The nonlinear analysis with an analytical approach on dynamic torsional buckling of stiffened functionally graded thin toroidal shell segments is investigated. The shell is reinforced by inside stiffeners and surrounded by elastic foundations in a thermal environment and under a time-dependent torsional load. The governing equations are derived based on the Donnell shell theory with the yon Karman geometrical nonlinearity, the Stein and McElman assumption, the smeared stiffeners technique, and the Galerkin method. A deflection function with three terms is chosen. The thermal parameters of the uniform temperature rise and nonlinear temperature conduction law are found in an explicit form. A closed-form expression for determining the static critical torsional load is obtained. A critical dynamic torsional load is found by the fourth-order Runge-Kutta method and the Budiansky-Roth criterion. The effects of stiffeners, foundations, material, and dimensional parameters on dynamic responses of shells are considered.

MODAL TEST AND ANALYSIS OF CANTILEVER BEAM WITH TIP MASS

The phenomenon of dynamic stiffening is a research field of general interest for flexible multi-body systems.In fact,there are not only dynamic stiffening but also dynamic softening phenomenon in the flexible multi-body systems.In this paper,a non-linear dynamic model and its linearization characteristic equations of a cantilever beam with tip mass in the centrifugal field are established by adopting the general Hamilton Variational Principle.Then,the problems of the dynamic stiffening and the dynamic softening are studied by using numerical simulations.Meanwhile, the modal test is carried out on our centrifuge.The numerical results show that the system stiffness will be strengthened when the centrifugal tension force acts on the beam (i.e.the dynamic stiffening).However,the system stiffness will be weakened when the centrifugal compression force acts on the beam (i.e.the dynamic softening). Furthermore,the equilibrium position of the system will lose its stability when the inertial force reaches a critical value.Through theoretical analysis,we find that this phenomenon comes from the effect of dynamic softening resulting from the centrifugal compression force.Our test results verify the above conclusions and confirm that both dynamic stiffening and softening phenomena exist in flexible multi-body systems.

MODELING AND ANALYSIS OF A COUPLED RIGID_FLEXIBLE SYSTEM

Correct predictions of the behavior of flexible bodies undergoing large rigid-body motions and small elastic vibrations is a subject of major concern in the field of flexible multibody system dynamics. Because of failing to account for the effects of dynamic stiffening, conventional methods based on the linear theories can lead to erroneous results in many practical applications. In this paper, the idea of 'centrifugal potential field', which induced by large overall rotation is introduced, and the motion equation of a coupled rigid-flexible system by employing Hamilton's principle is established. Based on this equation, first it is proved that the elastic motion of the system has periodic property, then by using Frobenius' method its exact solution is obtained. The influences of large overall rigid motion on the elastic vibration mode shape and frequency are analysed through the numerical examples.