A rotationless formulation of multibody dynamics: Modeling of screw joints and incorporation of control constraints

In the present work, a new energy-momentum conserving time-stepping scheme for multibody systems comprising screw joints is developed. In particular, it is shown that the underlying rotationless formulation of multibody dynamics along with a specific coordinate augmentation technique makes possible the energy-momentum discretization of the screw pair. In addition to that, control (or servo) constraints are treated within the rotationless framework of multibody dynamics. The control constraints are used to partially prescribe the motion of a multibody system. In particular, control constraints, in conjunction with the coordinate augmentation technique, make possible to solve inverse dynamics problems by applying the present simulation approach.     

Higher Order Real-Time Approximations in Optimal Control of Multibody-Systems for Industrial Robots

The multibody system of an industrial robot leads to a mathematical model described by ordinary differential equations. Control functions have to be determined to calculate robot trajectories which are optimal due to a given performance index subject to additional constraints. In order to solve such optimal control problems, computationally expensive methods exist. These methods have no real-time capability, since perturbations during the motion of the robot require a recalculation of the optimal trajectory within a time frame much smaller than the operating-time of the robot. Hence, a robust numerical method based on the parametric sensitivity analysis of nonlinear optimization problems is suggested. Optimal control approximations of perturbed optimal solutions can be obtained in real-time by evaluating a first order Taylor expansion of the perturbed solution. Successive improvements to the constraints in the direction of the optimal perturbed solution lead to an admissible solution with a higher order approximation of the objective. The proposed numerical method is illustrated by the optimal control of an industrial robot with three degrees of freedom subject to deviations in the payload and initial values.     

Lossless convexification of a class of optimal control problems with non-convex control constraints

We consider a class of finite time horizon optimal control problems for continuous time linear systems with a convex cost, convex state constraints and non-convex control constraints. We propose a convex relaxation of the non-convex control constraints, and prove that the optimal solution of the relaxed problem is also an optimal solution for the original problem, which is referred to as the lossless convexification of the optimal control problem. The lossless convexification enables the use of interior point methods of convex optimization to obtain globally optimal solutions of the original non-convex optimal control problem. The solution approach is demonstrated on a number of planetary soft landing optimal control problems.     

Optimization of a complex flexible multibody systems with composite materials

The paper presents a general optimization methodology for flexible multibody systems which is demonstrated to find optimal layouts of fiber composite structures components. The goal of the optimization process is to minimize the structural deformation and, simultaneously, to fulfill a set of multidisciplinary constraints, by finding the optimal values for the fiber orientation of composite structures. In this work, a general formulation for the computation of the first order analytical sensitivities based on the use of automatic differentiation tools is applied. A critical overview on the use of the sensitivities obtained by automatic differentiation against analytical sensitivities derived and implemented by hand is made with the purpose of identifying shortcomings and proposing solutions. The equations of motion and sensitivities of the flexible multibody system are solved simultaneously being the accelerations and velocities of the system and the sensitivities of the accelerations and of the velocities integrated in time using a multi-step multi-order integration algorithm. Then, the optimal design of the flexible multibody system is formulated to minimize the deformation energy of the system subjected to a set of technological and functional constraints. The methodologies proposed are first discussed for a simple demonstrative example and applied after to the optimization of a complex flexible multibody system, represented by a satellite antenna that is unfolded from its launching configuration to its functional state.     

On the open-loop solution of linear stochastic optimal control problems

We consider open-loop solutions of linear stochastic optimal control problems with constraints on control variables and probabilistic constraints on state variables. It is shown that this problem reduces to an equivalent linear deterministic optimal control problem with similar constraints and with a new criterion to minimize. Concavity or convexity is preserved. Hence, the machinery available for solving deterministic optimal control problems can be used to get an open-loop solution of the stochastic problem. The convex case is investigated and a bound on the difference between closed-loop and open-loop optimal costs is given.     

力学与控制科学

基于对力学与控制科学的相似性的分析,阐述了4个有意义的力学系统控制问题:① 具非完整约束的非线性动力学系统的控制;②具非单一平衡位置的力学系统及其总体性质;③ 多体动力学与控制;④具分布参数的力学系统.最后给出了一个具启示性的看法.     

Viscosity solutions and optimal control problems with integral constraints

We discuss optimal control problems with integral state-control constraints. We rewrite the problem in an equivalent form as an optimal control problem with state constraints for an extended system, and prove that the value function, although possibly discontinuous, is the unique viscosity solution of the constrained boundary value problem for the corresponding Hamilton–Jacobi equation. The state constraint is the epigraph of the minimal solution of a second Hamilton–Jacobi equation. Our framework applies, for instance, to systems with design uncertainties.     

Constrained Optimal Hybrid Control of a Flow Shop System

We consider an optimal control problem for the hybrid model of a deterministic flow shop system, in which the jobs are processed in the order they arrive at the system. The problem is decomposed into a higher-level discrete-event system control problem of determining the optimal service times, and a set of lower-level classical control problems of determining the optimal control inputs for given service times. We focus on the higher-level problem which is nonconvex and nondifferentiable. The arrival times are known and the decision variables are the service times that are controllable within constraints. We present an equivalent convex optimization problem with linear constraints. Under some cost assumptions, we show that no waiting is observed on the optimal sample path. This property allows us to simplify the convex optimization problem by eliminating variables and constraints. We also prove, under an additional strict convexity assumption, the uniqueness of the optimal solution and propose two algorithms to decompose the simplified convex optimization problem into a set of smaller convex optimization problems. The effects of the simplification and the decomposition on the solution times are shown on an example problem.     

Multibody System Dynamics: Roots and Perspectives

The paper reviews the roots, the state-of-the-art and perspectives of multibody system dynamics. Some historical remarks show that multibody system dynamics is based on classical mechanics and its engineering applications ranging from mechanisms, gyroscopes, satellites and robots to biomechanics. The state-of-the-art in rigid multibody systems is presented with reference to textbooks and proceedings. Multibody system dynamics is characterized by algorithms or formalisms, respectively, ready for computer implementation. As a result simulation and animation are most important. The state-of-the-art in flexible multibody systems is considered in a companion review by Shabana.Future research fields in multibody dynamics are identified as standardization of data, coupling with CAD systems, parameter identification, real-time animation, contact and impact problems, extension to control and mechatronic systems, optimal system design, strength analysis and interaction with fluids. Further, there is a strong interest on multibody systems in analytical and numerical mathematics resulting in reduction methods for rigorous treatment of simple models and special integration codes for ODE and DAE representations supporting the numerical efficiency. New software engineering tools with modular approaches promise improved efficiency still required for the more demanding needs in biomechanics, robotics and vehicle dynamics.