Panel Flutter Detection and Control Using the Eigenvector Orientation Method and Piezoelectric Layers

Abstract

A basic eigenvector orientation approach has been used to evaluate the possibility of controlling the onset of panel flutter using a simple flat panel (wide beam) as an illustrative example. The use of the eigenvector orientation method for prediction of the flutter boundary (indicated by a gradual loss of orthogonality between two eigenvectors) was developed in a previous study and can thus provide a lead time for possible flutter control. As a first step, piezoelectric layers are assumed to be bonded to the top and bottom surfaces of the panel in order to provide counterbending moments at joints between elements. The standard linear quadratic control theory is used for controller design and full state feedback is considered for simplicity. The controllers are designed to restabilize the system at the onset of flutter; as a result, flutter occurrence can be offset to a higher flutter speed. To illustrate the applicability and effectiveness of the developed method, several simple wide-beam examples are studied and presented. The effects of control moment locations are studied so as to fulfill the objective of adjusting the flutter speed to be within a desirable range. Potential applications of this basic method may be straightforwardly applied to plate and shell structures of laminated composites using the versatile finite element method.

Aeroelastic analysis and active flutter suppression of an electro-rheological sandwich cylindrical panel under yawed supersonic flow

“…They showed that active piezo-electric actuation can effectively increase the critical aerodynamic pressure of piezo-laminated cylindrical panels by retarding the coalescence of flutter modes and compensating thermal stresses. Sebastijanovic et al [43] employed the standard linear quadratic control theory and full state feedback for panel flutter control via piezo-electric actuator layers. Fazelzadeh and Jafari [15] considered active supersonic panel flutter suppression by using piezo-electric actuators in an optimal integral-feed forward LQR control scheme.…”

Flutter detection of composite plate using finite element and eigenvector orientation method

“…Then, Afolabi, Piadaparti and Yang [6] present an eigenvector orientation approach to predict the flutter of composite plates under supersonic flow. Sebastijanovic, Ma and Yang [7] used the eigenvector orientation method and piezoelectric layers to shift flutter speeds of a simple finite element with beam model. They generate a 'lead-time' by tracking the eigenvectors and the angle between them as it gradually approaches zero.…”

A review of active vibration and noise suppression of plate-like structures with piezoelectric transducers

“…An important example for the application of optimal controller is the usage of LQR controller for detection and prevention of panel flutter by Sebastijanovic et al (2005Sebastijanovic et al ( , 2007. On a wide beam covered by piezoelectric layers, eigenvector orientation approach was studied for detection of the panel flutter caused by aerodynamic loads.…”

“…In this approach, orientations of eigenvectors are traced to predict the possibility of flutter instead of tracing the sign of eigenvalues as in conventional methods. Sebastijanovic et al (2005Sebastijanovic et al ( , 2007 extensively investigated the applicability and effectiveness of the LQR controller for detection and prevention of panel flutter using piezoelectric sensor and actuators with several case studies.…”