Flap control of UAVs (Unmanned Aerial Vehicles) is presented using SMA (Shape Memory Alloy) wires as actuator. The mathematical model of the SMA wire is obtained through characterization tests then model of the proposed flap mechanism is derived. Both flap angle and power dissipation of the SMA wire are controlled in two different loops employing compensated PI (Proportional plus Integrating) and neural network based control schemes. The angle commands are converted to power commands through the outer loop controller later which are updated based on the error in the flap angle induced because of the indirect control and external effects. Power consumption of the wire is introduced as a new internal feedback variable instead of generally employed resistance feedback. Constructed simulation models are run and performance specifications of the proposed control systems are investigated. Eventually, it is shown that proposed controllers perform well in terms of achieving small tracking errors.
Design and control of a shape memory alloy actuator for flap type aerodynamic surfaces
2011
6 Seiten, 21 Bilder, 1 Tabelle, 13 Quellen
Conference paper
Storage medium
English