A Load-Based Feedback Approach for Distributed Aeroservoelastic Control

Abstract

An approach to aeroservoelastic control for flexible flight vehicles using the Fly-ByFeel (FBF) sensing concept is introduced. An essential feature of this sensing paradigm is the real-time measurement of circulation. Recent experiments have shown that sectional unsteady aerodynamic loads may be accurately estimated using the leading-edge stagnation point (LESP). Experimental demonstrations have also shown the use of this sensing concept for flutter suppression and gust load alleviation using a low-order energy-based approach. This work extends the sectional control formulation to flying wing configurations. Control objectives include suppressing Body-Freedom-Flutter phenomena. Aeroservoelastic control for this case may be accomplished using a spanwise-distributed, co-located sensing and controls architecture. Using load-based feedback, low-order control structures are shown to be effective for flutter suppression. Controller performance comparisons with conventional high-order state-feedback methods are investigated.