Nonlinear Controllers for Vibration Suppression in a Large Flexible Structure

This paper deals with the problem of active vibration suppression in a laboratory model of a large flexible space structure, using nonlinear control laws. The basic control strategy is first presented in the simplified case of a one-degree-of-freedom mechanical oscillator; the results of this analysis are then used for the synthesis of two different controllers for the truss structure, one employing on-off air jet thrusters and the other employing piezoelectric active members as actuators. Experimental results obtained with the first controller are also given.