Comparing fluid ring and CMG servomechanisms for active control of rigid satellites

Abstract

Purpose This paper aims to describe a novel type of attitude control system (ACS) in different configurations. This servomechanism is compared with control moment gyro (CMG) in significant parameters of performance for ACS of rigid satellite. Design/methodology/approach This new actuator is the fluid containing one or more rings and fluid flow is supplied by pump. The required torque control is obtained by managing fluid angular velocity. The cube-shaped satellite with three rings of fluid in the principle axes is considered for modeling. The satellite is considered rigid and nonlinear dynamics equation is used for it. In addition, the failure of the pyramid-shaped satellite with an additional ring fluid is discussed. Findings The controller model for four fluid rings has more complexity than for three fluid rings. The simulation results illustrated that four fluid rings need less energy for stabilization than three fluid rings. The performance of this type of actuator is compared with CMG. At last, it is demonstrated that performance parameters are improved with fluid ring actuator. Research limitations/implications Fluid ring actuator can be affected by environmental pressure and temperature. Therefore, freezing and boiling temperature of the fluid should be considered in system designation. Practical implications Fluid ring servomechanism can be used as ACS in rigid satellites. This actuator is compared by CMG, the prevalent actuator. It has less displacement attitude maneuver. Originality/value The results provide the feasibility and advantages of using fluid rings as satellite ACS. The quaternion error controller is used for this model to enhance its performance.

Experimental study of a magnetohydrodynamic momentum ring

“…The authors revealed that the device effectively resisted interference and complete the attitude adjustment task. Akbaritabar [5] studied a novel fluid ring system, it indicates that the feasibility and reliability of the system are proved. Cheng [6] focused on the field distribution about liquid flow and electromagnetic, and the liquid flow transient process in a magnetohydrodynamic fluid ring.…”

Numerical simulation of the magnetic field in a magnetohydrodynamics momentum ring

“…A new attitude adjustment device containing several liquid rings was studied by Akbaritabar [7], which used mechanical pumps to drive the liquid. The authors indicated that the device had reliability and some advantages.…”

Remote sensing satellite’s attitude control system: rapid performance sizing for passive scan imaging mode

“…Due to the complexities involved in ADCS design, some efforts have been made to develop simpler algorithms (Akbaritabar et al , 2018; Sun et al , 2018). When the EO-mission requires to design and manufacture a custom ADCS (Tayebi et al , 2017; Hua et al , 2018) then the “design for performance” strategy can be one of the shortest ways to meet the PRs by determining the best values for ADCS DPs (Jia et al , 2019).…”