Numerical algorithm for rigid body position estimation using the quaternion approach

This paper deals with rigid body attitude estimation on the basis of the data obtained from an inertial measurement unit mounted on the body. The aim of this work is to present the numerical algorithm, which can be easily applied to the wide class of problems concerning rigid body positioning, arising in aerospace and marine engineering, or in increasingly popular robotic systems and unmanned aerial vehicles. Following the considerations of kinematics of rigid bodies, the relations between accelerations of different points of the body are given. A rotation matrix is formed using the quaternion approach to avoid singularities. We present numerical procedures for determination of the absolute accelerations of the center of mass and of an arbitrary point of the body expressed in the inertial reference frame, as well as its attitude. An application of the algorithm to the example of a heavy symmetrical gyroscope is presented, where input data for the numerical procedure are obtained from the solution of differential equations of motion, instead of using sensor measurements.

A TENSOR METHOD FOR THE DERIVATION OF THE EQUATIONS OF RIGID BODY DYNAMICS

A tensor method for the derivation of the equations of rigid body dynamics, based on the concepts of continuum mechanics, is presented. The formula of time derivative of the inertia tensor with zero corotational rate is used to prove the equivalences of five methods, namely, Lagrange's equations, Nielsen's equations, Gibbs-Appell's equations, Kane's equations and the generalized momentum type of Kane's equations. Some differential identities on angular velocity and angular acceleration are given.

On Flexible Trajectory Description for Effective Rigid Body Motion Reproduction and Recognition

Recognizing and reproducing spatiotemporal motions are necessary when analyzing behaviors andmovements during human-robot interaction. Rigid body motion trajectories are proven as compact and informativeclues in characterizing motions. A flexible dual square-root function (DSRF) descriptor for representing rigid bodymotion trajectories, which can offer robustness in the description over raw data, was proposed in our previousstudy. However, this study focuses on exploring the application of the DSRF descriptor for effective backwardmotion reproduction and motion recognition. Specifically, two DSRF-based reproduction methods are initiallyproposed, including the recursive reconstruction and online optimization. New trajectories with novel situationsand contextual information can be reproduced from a single demonstration while preserving the similarities withthe original demonstration. Furthermore, motion recognition based on DSRF descriptor can be achieved byemploying a template matching method. Finally, the experimental results demonstrate the effectiveness of theproposed method for rigid body motion reproduction and recognition.

Pseudo-rigid-body Model for Corrugated Cantilever Beam Used in Compliant Mechanisms

Common compliant joints generally have limited range of motion, reduced fatigue life and high stress concentration. To overcome these shortcomings, periodically corrugated cantilever beam is applied to design compliant joints. Basic corrugated beam unit is modeled by using pseudo-rigid-body method. The trajectory and deformation behavior of periodically corrugated cantilever beam are estimated by the transformation of coordinate and superposition of the deformation of corrugated beam units. Finite element analysis（FEA） is carried out on corrugated cantilever beam to estimate the accuracy of the pseudo-rigid-body model. Results show that the kinetostatic behaviors obtained by this method, which has a relative error less than 6%, has good applicability and corrugated cantilever beam has the characteristics of a large range of motion and high mechanical strength. The corrugated cantilever beam is then applied to design a flexible rotational joint to obtain a larger angle output. The paper proposes a pseudo-rigid-body model for corrugated cantilever beam and designed a flexible rotational joint with large angle output.

Optimal control of attitude for coupled-rigid-body spacecraft via Chebyshev-Gauss pseudospectral method

The attitude optimal control problem （OCP） of a two-rigid-body space- craft with two rigid bodies coupled by a ball-in-socket joint is considered. Based on conservation of angular momentum of the system without the external torque, a dynamic equation of three-dimensional attitude motion of the system is formulated. The attitude motion planning problem of the coupled-rigid-body spacecraft can be converted to a dis- crete nonlinear programming （NLP） problem using the Chebyshev-Gauss pseudospectral method （CGPM）. Solutions of the NLP problem can be obtained using the sequential quadratic programming （SQP） algorithm. Since the collocation points of the CGPM are Chebyshev-Gauss （CG） points, the integration of cost function can be approximated by the Clenshaw-Curtis quadrature, and the corresponding quadrature weights can be calculated efficiently using the fast Fourier transform （FFT）. To improve computational efficiency and numerical stability, the barycentric Lagrange interpolation is presented to substitute for the classic Lagrange interpolation in the approximation of state and con- trol variables. Furthermore, numerical float errors of the state differential matrix and barycentric weights can be alleviated using trigonometric identity especially when the number of CG points is large. A simple yet efficient method is used to avoid sensitivity to the initial values for the SQP algorithm using a layered optimization strategy from a feasible solution to an optimal solution. Effectiveness of the proposed algorithm is perfect for attitude motion planning of a two-rigid-body spacecraft coupled by a ball-in-socket joint through numerical simulation.

KAHAN'S INTEGRATOR AND THE FREE RIGID BODYDYNAMICS

Kahan's integrator for the free rigid body dynamics is described and some ofits properties are pointed out.

Modified RATTLE Method for Rigid Body Dynamics in Cartesian Coordinates

In this paper,we describe a modified RATTLE(M-RATTLE)method for rigid body dynamics directly in Cartesian coordinates.The M-RATTLE method introduces a new way of resetting the coordinates to satisfy the constraints at each step,which is designed for the rigid body dynamics calculations in the Cartesian coordinates.M-RATTLE is algebraically equivalent to the RATTLE method and the cost of performing rigid body dynamics by M-RATTLE is independent of the number of constraints.The interaction forces between atoms belonging to the same rigid molecule do not need to be computed and explicit expressions of the constraints of internal degrees of freedom are unnecessary.The performance and sampling results of the proposed method are compared with those of the symplectic splitting method for an isolated rigid benz molecule and for a cluster of twenty-seven benz molecules.

Implementation of configuration dependent stiffness proportional damping for the dynamics of rigid multi-block systems

The distinct element method(DEM)has been used successfully for the dynamic analysis of rigid block sys- tems.One of many difficulties associated with DEM is modeling of damping.In this paper,new procedures are proposed for the damping modeling and its numerical implementation in distinct element analysis of rigid muhi-block systems.The stiff- ness proportional damping is constructed for the prescribed damping ratio,based on the non-zero fundamental frequency ef- fective during the time interval while the boundary conditions remain essentially constant.At this time interval,the funda- mental frequency can be estimated without complete eigenvalue analysis.The damping coefficients will vary while the damp- ing ratio remains the same throughout the entire analysis.A new numerical procedure is developed to prevent unnecessary energy loss that can occur during the separation phases.These procedures were implemented in the development of the dis- tinet element method for the dynamic analyses of piled multi-block systems.The analysis results |or the single-block and two-block systems were in a good agreement with the analytic predictions.Applications to the seismic analyses of piled four- block systems revealed that the new procedures can make a significant difference and may lead to much-improved results.

Analytical models for the penetration of semi-infinite targets by rigid,deformable and erosive long rods

A theoretical study is presented herein on the pen- etration of a semi-infinite target by a spherical-headed long rod for Yp 〉 S, where Yp is the penetrator strength and S is the static target resistance. For Yp 〉 S, depending upon initial impact velocity, there exist three types of penetration, namely, penetration by a rigid long rod, penetration by a deforming non-erosive long rod and penetration by an erosive long rod. If the impact velocity of the penetrator is higher than the hydrodynamic velocity （VH）, it will penetrate the target in an erosive mode; if the impact velocity lies between the hydrodynamic velocity （VH） and the rigid body velocity （VR）, it will penetrate the target in a deformable mode; if the impact velocity is less than the rigid body velocity （VR）, it will penetrate the target in a rigid mode. The critical conditions for the transition among these three penetration modes are proposed. It is demonstrated that the present model predictions correlate well with the experimental observations in terms of depth of penetration （DOP） and the critical transition conditions.

Periodic Orbits in the Photogravitational Restricted Problem When the Primaries Are Triaxial Rigid Bodies

We have studied periodic orbits generated by Lagrangian solutions of the restricted three-body problem when both the primaries are triaxial rigid bodies and source of radiation pressure. We have determined periodic orbits for different values of (h is energy constant;μ is mass ratio of the two primaries;are parameters of triaxial rigid bodies and are radiation parameters). These orbits have been determined by giving displacements along the tangent and normal at the mobile co-ordinates as defined in our papers (Mittal et al. [1]-[3]). These orbits have been drawn by using the predictor-corrector method. We have also studied the effect of triaxial bodies and source of radiation pressure on the periodic orbits by taking fixed value of μ.

Amended influence matrix method for removal of rigid motion in the interior BVP for plane elasticity

A conventional complex variable boundary integral equation （CVBIE） in plane elasticity is provided. After using the Somigliana identity between a particular fundamental stress field and a physical stress field, an additional integral equality is obtained. By adding both sides of this integral equality to both sides of the conventional CVBIE, the amended boundary integral equation （BIE） is obtained. The method based on the discretization of the amended BIE is called the amended influence matrix method. With this method, for the Neumann boundary value problem （BVP） of an interior region, a unique solution for the displacement can be obtained. Several numerical examples are provided to prove the efficiency of the suggested method.

ON UNILATERALLY CONSTRAINED MOTIONS OF RIGID BODIES SYSTEMS

In this paper , the unilaterally constrained motions of a large class of rigid bodiessystems are studied both locally and globally. The main conclusion is that locally,such a system bahaves like a particle in a Riemannian manifold with boundary;globally.under the assumption of energy conservation, the system behaves like a billiards system over a Riemannina manifold with boundary

Dynamic Response Analysis for Embedded Large-Cylinder Breakwaters Under Wave Excitation

A numerical model is developed for dynamic analysis of large-cylinder breakwaters embedded in soft soil. In the model, the large cylinder is taken as a rigid body divided into elements and the soft soil is replaced by discrete 3D nonlinear spring-dashpot systems. The numerical model is used to simulate the dynamic response of a large-cylinder breakwater to breaking wave excitation. The effects of the dynamic stress-strain relationship models of the soil, the radius and embedded depth of the cylinder, the nonlinear behaviors of the soil, and the limit strength condition of the soil on the dynamic responses of the large-cylinder structure are investigated with an example given. It is indicated that the above-mentioned factors have significant effects on the dynamic responses of an embedded large cylinder breakwater under breaking wave excitation.

Sensitivity Analysis of the Effect of Speed and Inclination Angle on Water-Entry Slamming Pressure of the Bow

In this paper,a method about the water-entry slamming of a two-dimensional(2D)bow structure has been proposed based on the experimental and simulation results.According to this method,the sensitivity analysis has been carried out about the effect of speed and inclination angle on the slamming pressure of the bow.Firstly,a 2D ship bow experimental model was performed to obtain the slamming pressure distribution at different measuring points under different speeds.Then,numerical simulation for the water-entry slamming of this experimental model was conducted to obtain the pressure distribution on the experimental model under different working conditions.Finally,the experimental results were compared with the numerical simulation results to evaluate the effect of speed and inclination angle on the slamming pressure of the bow.The results show that the slamming pressure is more sensitive to speed variation within the low-speed range.The effect of inclination angle on the slamming pressure is more obvious in the small angle condition.When the inclination angle is larger than 45°,the effect is limited.

Variations of flutter mechanism of a span-morphing wing involving rigid-body motions

The present paper aims to reveal the significance of rigid-body motions for the flutter mechanism of a span-morphing wing model. The inclusion of rigid-body motions into aeroelastic formulation and flutter analysis is presented. A state-space aeroelastic equation combining the dynamics of stepped Euler-Bernoulli beam with unsteady strip aerodynamic theory is developed by quasi-static modeling. Using a numerical example, variations of flutter mechanism from the bending-torsional flutter to the body-freedom flutter are observed as the span increases. In addition,effects of some dimensionless parameters on the variations of flutter mechanism are investigated.The investigated parameters belonging to the fuselage have limited influences on the bendingtorsional flutter but a significant impact on the body-freedom flutter.

Numerical Solution of Constrained Mechanical System Motions Equations and Inverse Problems of Dynamics

In this paper the method of design of kinematical and dynamical equations of mechanical systems, applied to numerical ealization, is proposed. The corresponding difference equations, which are obtained, give a guarantee of computations with a given precision. The equations of programmed constraints and those of constraint perturbations are defined. The stability of the programmed manifold for numerical solutions of the kinematical and dynamical equations is obtained by corresponding construction of the constraint perturbation equations. The dynamical equations of system with programmed constraints are set up in the form of Lagrange’s equations in generalized coordinates. Certain inverse problems of rigid body dynamics are examined.

Renewal of basic laws and principles for polar continuum theories (Ⅺ)—consistency problems

Some consistency problems existing in continuum field theories are briefly reviewed. Three arts of consistency problems are clarified based on the renewed basic laws for polar continua. The first art discusses the consistency problems between the basic laws for polar continua. The second art discusses the consistency problems between the basic laws for polar continua and for other nonpolar continua. The third art discusses the consistency problems between the basic laws for micropolar continuum theories and the dynamical equations for rigid body. The results presented here can help us to get a deeper understanding the structure of the basic laws for various continuum theories and the interrelations between them. In the meantime, these results obtained show clearly that the consistency problems could not be solved in the framework of traditional basic laws for continuum field theories.

THE INVARIANT MANIFOLD METHOD AND THE CONTROLLABILITY OF NONLINEAR CONTROL SYSTEM

The problem of controllability of nonlinear control system is a significant field which has an extensive prospect of application. A. M. Kovalev of Ukraine Academy of Science applied the oriented manifold method developed in dynamics:of rigid body to nonlinear control system for the first time,and obtained a series of efficient results. Based on Kovalev's oriented manifold method, firstly, by invariant manifold method the problem of controllability of nonlinear control system was studied and the necessary condition of the controllability of a kind of affine nonlinear system was given out. Then the realization of the necessary condition wars discussed. At last, the motion of a rigid body with two rotors,vas, investigated and the necessary condition which is satisfied by this system,vas proved.

SYMPLECTIC STRUCTURE OF POISSON SYSTEM

When the Poisson matrix of Poisson system is non-constant, classical symplectic methods, such as symplectic Runge-Kutta method, generating function method, cannot preserve the Poisson structure. The non-constant Poisson structure was transformed into the symplectic structure by the nonlinear transform. Arbitrary order symplectic method was applied to the transformed Poisson system. The Euler equation of the free rigid body problem was transformed into the symplectic structure and computed by the mid-point scheme. Numerical results show the effectiveness of the nonlinear transform.

A NEW METHOD FOR CALCULATING VEHICLE ATTITUDE USING CAYLEY-KLEIN PARAMETERS

In this paper new matrices of the Cayley-Klein parameters are used to represent composition of several consecutive finite rotations of rigid body. The general commutative rules of multiplication for these matrices is obtained. Furthermore, by using these matrices it is convenient to prove the theorem on finite rotation of rigid body. The result obtained in this paper is concise and easy to remember, and can be used to calculate vehicle attitude.