Synthesis of Branched Chains with Actuation Redundancy for Eliminating Interior Singularities of 3T1R Parallel Mechanisms

Although it is common to eliminate the singularity of parallel mechanism by adding the branched chain with actuation redundancy, there is no theory and method for the configuration synthesis of the branched chain with actuation redundancy in parallel mechanism. Branched chains with actuation redundancy are synthesized for eliminating interior singularity of 3-translational and 1-rotational（3T1R） parallel mechanisms. Guided by the discriminance method of hybrid screw group according to Grassmann line geometry, all the possibilities are listed for the occurrence of interior singularities in 3T1R parallel mechanism. Based on the linear relevance of screw system and the principles of eliminating parallel mechanism singularity with actuation redundancy, different types of branched chains with actuation redundancy are synthesized systematically to indicate the layout and the number of the branched chainsinterior with actuation redundancy. A general method is proposed for the configuration synthesis of the branched chains with actuation redundancy of the redundant parallel mechanism, and it builds a solid foundation for the subsequent performance optimization of the redundant actuation parallel mechanism.

A framework for dynamic modelling of railway track switches considering the switch blades,actuators and control systems

The main contribution of this paper is the development and demonstration of a novel methodology that can be followed to develop a simulation twin of a railway track switch system to test the functionality in a digital environment.This is important because,globally,railway track switches are used to allow trains to change routes;they are a key part of all railway networks.However,because track switches are single points of failure and safety-critical,their inability to operate correctly can cause significant delays and concomitant costs.In order to better understand the dynamic behaviour of switches during operation,this paper has developed a full simulation twin of a complete track switch system.The approach fuses finite element for the rail bending and motion,with physics-based models of the electromechanical actuator system and the control system.Hence,it provides researchers and engineers the opportunity to explore and understand the design space around the dynamic operation of new switches and switch machines before they are built.This is useful for looking at the modification or monitoring of existing switches,and it becomes even more important when new switch concepts are being considered and evaluated.The simulation is capable of running in real time or faster meaning designs can be iterated and checked interactively.The paper describes the modelling approach,demonstrates the methodology by developing the system model for a novel“REPOINT”switch system,and evaluates the system level performance against the dynamic performance requirements for the switch.In the context of that case study,it is found that the proposed new actuation system as designed can meet(and exceed)the system performance requirements,and that the fault tolerance built into the actuation ensures continued operation after a single actuator failure.

Workspace Analysis of the 4RRR Planar Parallel Manipulator with Actuation Redundancy

In order to overcome the drawbacks of 3RRR non-redundant parallel manipulators,a redundantly actuated planar parallel manipulator,the 4RRR manipulator,was examined.In the current study,three types of workspace were analyzed.In the analysis of the reachable workspace,the shape of the workspace of 4RRR PMs was illustrated,and the relationship between the parameters of parallel mechanisms（PMs） and this kind of workspace was discussed.In the analysis of the m-orientation workspace,a procedure for calculating this type of workspace was presented,and the relationship between this type of workspace and the requirement of rotational displacement was revealed.In the analysis of the nonsingular workspace,the singularity of 4RRR PMs was discussed,the boundary of the singularity was illustrated,and a scheme to maximize the nonsingular workspace was presented.Depicting the properties of 4RRR PMs from different perspectives,the analyses of these three kinds of workspace can serve as helpful references for the structure design and mechanism control of 4RRR PMs.

Multi-agent Control of High Redundancy Actuation

The high redundancy actuator(HRA)concept is a novel approach to fault tolerant actuation that uses a high number of small actuation elements,assembled in series and parallel in order to form a single actuator which has intrinsic fault tolerance.Whilst this structure afords resilience under passive control methods alone,active control approaches are likely to provide higher levels of performance.A multiple-model control scheme for an HRA applied through the framework of multi-agent control is presented here.The application of this approach to a 10×10 HRA is discussed and consideration of reconfguration delays and fault detection errors are made.The example shows that multi-agent control can provide tangible performance improvements and increase fault tolerance in comparison to a passive fault tolerant approach.Reconfguration delays are shown to be tolerable,and a strategy for handling false fault detections is detailed.

Dynamics and Control of a Novel 3-DOF Parallel Manipulator with Actuation Redundancy

This paper deals with the dynamics and control of a novel 3-degrees-of-freedom （DOF） parallel manipulator with actuation redundancy. According to the kinematics of the redundant manipulator, the inverse dynamic equation is formulated in the task space by using the Lagrangian formalism, and the driving force is optimized by utilizing the minimal 2-norm method. Based on the dynamic model, a synchronized sliding mode control scheme based on contour error is proposed to implement accurate motion tracking control. Additionally, an adaptive method is introduced to approximate the lumped uncertainty of the system and provide a chattering-free control. The simulation results indicate the effectiveness of the proposed approaches and demonstrate the satisfactory tracking performance compared to the conventional controller in the presence of the parameter uncertainties and un-modelled dynamics for the motion control of manipulators.

Design of Electrical/Mechanical Hybrid 4-Redundancy Brushless DC Torque Motor

This article presents a novel electrical/mechanical hybrid 4-redundancy brushless DC torque motor （BLDCM）, which has found applications in direct drive actuators （DDA） of aerial vehicles. This motor is characteristic of electrical/mechanical hybrid 4-redundancy by securing two stators along with two rotors on the same shaft. Each stator contains two sets of windings embed- ded in separated slots. Furthermore, compared to the scheme of two electrical dual-redundancy BLDCMs linked by a mechanical transmission, the proposed motor has lower volume and lighter weight, eliminates the nonlinearity caused by the gap of the me- chanical transmission, moderates the requirement for the torque balance between redundancies and reduces the cogging torque by shifting the magnets. Both magnetic circuit calculation and the finite element analysis （FEA） of the electromagnetic field are conducted to optimize the design process. A prototype motor has been produced and tested. The results indicate that its perform- ances comply with the requirements presented by designers. Moreover, the position frequency response of the prototype in the DDA＇s unloaded situation has also demonstrated the fulfillment of desired dynamic characteristics.

Optimum Seeking of Redundant Actuators for M-RCM 3-UPU Parallel Mechanism

The singularity problem brings troubles to the design and application for the parallel mechanism.Currently,redun-dant actuation is one of the useful methods to solve this singularity problem.However,faced to the numerous joints in a parallel mechanism,how to make a quantitative criterion of seeking the most efficient joints added actuators for letting the mechanism passes through singularity is a necessarily open issue.This paper focuses on a 2R1T 3-UPU(U for universal joint and P for prismatic joint)parallel mechanism(PM)with two rotational and one translational(2R1T)degrees of freedom(DOFs)and the ability of multiple remote centers of motion(M-RCM).The singularity analysis based on the indexes of motion/force transmissibility and constraint shows that this PM has transmission singular-ity,constraint singularity,mixed singularity and limb singularity.To solve these singular problems,the quantifiable redundancy transmission index(RTI)and the redundancy constraint index(RCI)are proposed for optimum seeking of redundant actuators for this PM.Then the appropriate redundant actuators are selected and the working scheme for redundant actuators near the corresponding singular configuration are given to help the PM passes through the singularity.This research proposes a quantitative criterion to optimum seeking of redundant actuators for the parallel mechanism to solve its singularity.

Bio-inspired Backstepping Adaptive Sliding Mode Control for Parallel Mechanism with Actuation Redundancy

This paper presents a bio-inspired backstepping adaptive sliding mode control strategy for a novel 3 degree of freedom(3-DOF) parallel mechanism with actuation redundancy. Based on the kinematic model and the dynamic model, a sliding mode controller is designed to assure the tracking performance, and an adaptive law is introduced to approximate the system uncertainty including parameters variation, external disturbances and un-modeled part. Furthermore, a bio-inspired model is introduced to solve the inherent chattering problem of sliding mode control and provide a chattering free control. The simulation and experimental results testify that the proposed bio-inspired backstepping adaptive sliding mode control can achieve better performance(the tracking accuracy,robustness, response speed, etc.) than the conventional slide mode control.

Kinematic Sensitivity Analysis and Dimensional Synthesis of a Redundantly Actuated Parallel Robot for Friction Stir Welding

Friction stir welding(FSW)has been widely applied in many fields as an alternative to traditional fusion welding.Although serial robots can provide the orientation capability required to weld along curved surfaces,they cannot adequately support the huge axial downward forces that FSW generates.Available parallel mechanism architectures,particularly redundantly actuated architectures for FSW,are still very limited.In this paper,a redundantly actuated 2 UPR-2 RPU parallel robot for FSW is proposed,where U denotes a universal joint,R denotes a revolute joint and P denotes a prismatic pair.First,its semi-symmetric structure is described.Next,inverse kinematics analysis involving an analytical representation of rotational axes is implemented.Velocity analysis is also conducted,which leads to the formation of a Jacobian matrix.Sensitivity performance is evaluated utilizing level set and convex optimization methods,where the local sensitivity indices are unit consistent,coordinate free,and of definite physical significance.Furthermore,global and hierarchical sensitivity indices are proposed for the design process.Finally,dimension synthesis is conducted based on the sensitivity indices and the optimal link parameters of the parallel robot are obtained.In summary,this paper proposes a dimensional synthesis method for a redundantly actuated parallel robot for FSW based on sensitivity indices.

Design of a Servo Mechanical Press with Redundant Actuation

A servo press is a new type of mechanical press that is driven by programmable motors and offers superior performance such as low noise, excellent efficiency and high precision for metal forming operations. Similar to multi-link mechanical presses, a servo mechanical press tends to grow in size as the tonnage increases that calls for larger, heavy duty servo motors, which could be expensive and may not even be available. In this paper, a new concept of servo mechanical press with redundant actuation is proposed firstly using two servo motors driving one input shaft, i.e. one-point-two-motor mode that makes it possible to produce a larger press with available servomotors. Then the punching mechanism design is detailed. The performance indices are set up including mechanical advantage reciprocal and link force ratios. A bounded feasible solution space is constructed for dimensional synthesis based on non-dimensional link lengths and assembly conditions. The performance atlases are depicted over the bounded feasible solution space that lead to a visual solution of the punching mechanism with global optimization. Finally, case studies are given to illustrate the design method with visual global optimization, and a prototype with 200 t punching force is being developed in our laboratory to demonstrate efficacy of the new concept for servo mechanical press. The presented research provides a feasible solution to the development of heavy-duty servo mechanical presses and finds potential applications in the development of other types of heavy equipments with electric drive.

Performance Degradation and Reliability Analysis for Redundant Actuation System

Redundant actuator is the key component of Fly-By-Wire （FBW） system in which exists the inherent force fighting among different redundant channels at colligation point, This paper establishes the mathematical model of quad redundant actuator （QRA）, investigates the force equalization algorithm and carries out the performance degradation simulation and reliability analysis under the first failure and the second failure. The results indicate that the optimal equalization algorithm can solve the force fighting effectively, and the QRA can operate at degradation performance continuously under the first failure and the second failure. With the dynamic fault tree analysis, this paper calculates the reliability based on the performance of QRA and proves that the redundant actuator has very high reliability and safety.

Stiffness of Postural Alignment System Based on 3-Axis Actuators for Large Aircraft Components

Aircraft digital flexible assembly fixture and technologies are widely used in developed countries, while the traditional jig-based assembly mode is still used in China. The application study of aircraft digital flexible assembly system is just beginning in our country recently. To meet the requirements of automated posture alignment and join in digital assembly system for large aircraft components, a novel fitting fixture called 3-axis actuator is developed. On the basis of the actuators, three kinds of posture alignment system for large aircraft components are proposed, including the non-redundant system, the redundant actuating system, and the redundant leg system, and their constitutions and properties are introduced. Through deriving the feeding transmission stiffness model of single actuator and analyzing the inverse kinematics of these systems, the relationship between the external force and the changes of position and orientation of large aircraft component is obtained, and then the postural alignment stiffness models are established. With the method mentioned above, the postural alignment stiffness of three systems is computed by using the algebraic formulate, and the results show that redundant properties can increase system＇s postural alignment stiffness. As an example, a optimized layout of the assembly system for a given model of aircraft is developed, the results of application show that the layout has many advantages, such as high accuracy, stiffness, stability, reliability, efficiency and flexible, which can satisfy the requirement of aircraft digital assembly system well. The proposed study of postural alignment stiffness for different systems can supply the theoretic support for the optimization layout design of aircraft digital assembly system, and contribute to evaluate the system working performance of systems.

A New Method for Type Synthesis of 2R1T and 2T1R 3-DOF Redundant Actuated Parallel Mechanisms with Closed Loop Units

The current type synthesis of the redundant actuated parallel mechanisms is adding active-actuated kinematic branches on the basis of the traditional parallel mechanisms,or using screw theory to perform multiple getting intersection and union to complete type synthesis.The number of redundant parallel mechanisms obtained by these two methods is limited.In this paper,based on Grassmann line geometry and Atlas method,a novel and effective method for type synthesis of redundant actuated parallel mechanisms(PMs)with closed-loop units is proposed.Firstly,the degree of freedom(DOF)and constraint line graph of the moving platform are determined successively,and redundant lines are added in constraint line graph to obtain the redundant constraint line graph and their equivalent line graph,and a branch constraint allocation scheme is formulated based on the allocation criteria.Secondly,a scheme is selected and redundant lines are added in the branch chains DOF graph to construct the redundant actuated branch chains with closed-loop units.Finally,the branch chains that meet the requirements of branch chains configuration criteria and F&C(degree of freedom&constraint)line graph are assembled.In this paper,two types of 2 rotational and 1 translational(2R1T)redundant actuated parallel mechanisms and one type of 2 translational and 1 rotational(2T1R)redundant actuated parallel mechanisms with few branches and closed-loop units were taken as examples,and 238,92 and 15 new configurations were synthesized.All the mechanisms contain closed-loop units,and the mechanisms and the actuators both have good symmetry.Therefore,all the mechanisms have excellent comprehensive performance,in which the two rotational DOFs of the moving platform of 2R1T redundant actuated parallel mechanism can be independently controlled.The instantaneous analysis shows that all mechanisms are not instantaneous,which proves the feasibility and practicability of the method.

Redundancy in Biology and Robotics:Potential of Kinematic Redundancy and its Interplay with Elasticity

Redundancy facilitates some of the most remarkable capabilities of humans,and is therefore omni-present in our physiology.The relationship between redundancy in robotics and biology is investigated in detail on the Series Elastic Dual-Motor Actuator(SEDMA),an actuator inspired by the kinematic redundancy exhibited by myofibrils.The actuator consists of two motors coupled to a single spring at the output.Such a system has a redundant degree of freedom,which can be exploited to optimize aspects such as accuracy,impedance,fault-tolerance and energy efficiency.To test its potential for human-like motions,the SEDMA actuator is implemented in a hopping robot.Experiments on a physical demonstrator show that the robot's movement patterns resemble human squat jumps.We conclude that robots with bio-inspired actuator designs facilitate human-like movement,although current technical limitations may prevent them from reaching the same dynamic and energetic performance.

基于冗余执行器的航空发动机推力快速响应控制方法研究

面向飞/推一体化控制需求,开展涡扇发动机推力快速响应控制研究,提出了适用于推力最小相位系统的冗余控制方案。研究内容包括:(1)借鉴阀位控制思想,提出在传统燃油流量(Wf)回路基础上增设尾喷口喉道面积(A8)回路,通过挖掘冗余执行器变化速率潜力,提高推力响应速度,降低了对于燃油泵快速作动的需求,同时该方法可以使喷口在推力响应过程逐渐回中,系统具备持续的推力快速调节能力;(2)分析了A8调节推力的物理机理,指出容腔压力动力学主导的部件间流量匹配过程使得A8对推力具有直馈作用,是提高推力响应速度的有效途径。基于发动机部件级模型的评估结果表明,本文提出的方法在执行机构存在速率限制的情况下,实现了推力10 rad/s闭环带宽和A8回中的设计目标,方法可行、有效。在推力响应过程中,A8直馈作用对推力变化的贡献度最高时超过50%。随着对于推力控制模式和推力响应速度的日趋关注,应对容腔内的压力动态过程给予充分的重视。

一种电动舵机的多余度传感器故障诊断方法

为了解决电动舵机多余度位置传感器奇异故障模式的诊断难题,在传统基于多余度比较的故障诊断算法基础上,提出一种基于霍尔传感器解析模型的故障诊断方法。通过霍尔传感器完整的自监控设计及舵机位置传感器的解析模型设计,形成多余度位置传感器的非相似余度信号;采用基于滑动数据窗的假设检验方法,通过调整滑动数据窗口宽度,满足传感器故障检测的虚警率和漏报率指标要求,整体形成面向位置传感器的故障诊断算法。基于某飞行器管理系统的电动舵机,开展真实位置传感器2∶2奇异故障模式的算法验证,结果表明基于霍尔传感器模型的故障诊断算法,能够有效解决2∶2等奇异故障带来的诊断问题,大幅提升传感器信号的可用性,保证伺服闭环的控制精度和容错能力。

基于符号键合图的电静压伺服机构多故障诊断研究

针对电静压伺服机构(EHA)服役时存在多种故障且难以诊断的问题,提出了一种考虑参数贡献度的符号键合图(SBG)故障诊断方法。首先,根据EHA工作原理与键合图理论构建了键合图模型,设定了系统参数数值及分布标准差,再利用键合图模型推导了其解析冗余式(ARR),并构建了故障特征矩阵,将键合图模型转换为符号键合图模型,根据符号键合图元件之间的因果关系和一致性路径,推理出了EHA可能故障集;然后,定义并计算了EHA系统参数贡献度,筛选出了高贡献度系统参数,对可能故障集中难以引起解析冗余式残差数据变化的低贡献度系统参数进行了剔除,缩小了可能的故障参数范围;最后,利用键合图仿真软件20-sim,通过改变EHA中Q轴电阻与电机磁通链的数值,进行了多故障仿真实验,对所提多故障诊断方法进行了验证。研究结果表明:当EHA发生多故障时,将剔除低贡献度系统参数的可能故障集同传感器数据、解析冗余式残差数据进行结合,能准确诊断出预置的两个高贡献度故障参数,相比于常规SBG故障诊断的可能故障集,能更准确地锁定EHA系统故障参数。

多电飞机电动水平安定面作动系统体系架构设计及评估

电动水平安定面作动系统是一种冗余式的电力驱动和复杂机械承载传输的机电作动系统,主要用于驱动水平安定面完成飞机的俯仰配平工作。然而当前电动水平安定面作动系统的架构设计缺少系统性、完整性的设计流程及评估指标,导致新产品开发周期长、可靠性不高、设计裕量大。针对这一问题,从轻量化指标出发,本文提出了一套系统性的架构设计及评估方法。该方法从系统余度架构设计开始,利用启发式算法确定系统余度数目及余度方案配置,对系统各部件展开了详细的分析及筛选,并基于相似率对各部件参数进行设计,在得到的32种可行方案中选取了4个典型架构,分析了余度配置形式、部件功能形式以及关键设计参数等对架构重量的影响。最终实现了架构的自动生成、筛选和定量评估,为国产电动水平安定面作动系统的设计研制和冗余式机电作动系统在关键飞控舵面上的应用提供技术支撑。

2RPU+2UPR+RPR多冗余驱动并联机构运动学分析与优化

提出一种RPR型多冗余驱动两转一移并联机构2RPU+2UPR+RPR。基于螺旋理论建立机构运动螺旋系与约束螺旋系,分析机构自由度性质;建立机构运动学模型,基于软件仿真结果验证理论模型正确性;推导机构传递螺旋系,建立机构局部性能指标与全域性能指标;基于优质工作空间和优质传递性能分布对机构进行尺度优化,获得机构优化尺度与传递性能图谱,分析关键尺度参数对机构传递性能的影响;基于雅可比矩阵和传递性能分布分析优化尺度下机构奇异特性,机构在优化空间内无奇异位形。

三余度永磁同步电机绕组匝间短路故障诊断方法

机载作动系统可靠性是保障飞机飞行性能和飞行安全的重要前提,为了提升机载电力作动系统用三余度永磁同步电机系统可靠性,针对其常见的绕组匝间短路故障(ITSCF),本文提出一种基于高频谐波电流的在线故障诊断方法。通过电机绕组ITSCF数学模型,明确了故障后旋转坐标系下交直轴电流的典型高频脉宽调制(PWM)谐波故障特征;综合分析交直轴谐波电流对瞬态工况扰动的鲁棒性,选择直轴高频谐波电流周期有效值作为诊断特征;为了消除各余度电流固有谐波的影响,提出了基于三余度谐波电流平衡度的故障诊断方法;最后设计了故障诊断算法,通过带通滤波器进行高频谐波电流提取,并采用周期有效值计算实现谐波电流量化,最终通过三余度平衡诊断表实现故障余度识别。通过仿真模型验证了诊断算法的有效性,为提升机载电力作动系统可靠性提供借鉴。