Development of GA-based control system for active shape control of inflatable space structures

Abstract

This paper describes the development of a control system used for the active shape control of inflatable space structures. The genetic algorithm is utilized for the optimization of control variables. A vision system is implemented for the measurement of the structure shape. Shape memory alloy wire actuators are used to exert the obtained optimal tensions. The developed control system is then tested on a 200mm times 300mm rectangular Kapton membrane structure. The membrane is pulled by three tensions along each edge. Different combinations of the tensions produce various wrinkles on the membrane. Test results indicate that the developed control system works very well in improving the structure shape precision