Improved integral force feedback controllers for lightweight flexible structures

Abstract

This study studies the performance of an integral force feedback controller for increasing the damping of lightweight flexible structures. Both methods of maximum damping and optimization are used to tune the parameters of the control system. Two modifications of the integral force feedback are proposed to compensate the effects of a soft stiffness to increase the authority of the actuator. Higher damping values are obtained by adding feedback terms to the integral force feedback. Optimal tuning, required actuator force, and stability are also discussed based on an academic model of a single-degree-of-freedom cable structure.