Active robust vibration control of flexible structures

Flexible structures are extensively used in many space applications, for example, space-based radar antennae, space robotic systems, and space station, etc. The flexibility of these space structures results in problems of structural vibration and shape deformation, etc. In recent years, active control methods have been developed to suppress structural vibration and improve the performance of these flexible space structures. In this paper, we developed an approach for active vibration control of flexible structures with integrated piezoelectric actuators using control theory. First, dynamic models for a flexible circular plate with integrated piezoelectric actuators and sensors are derived using the Rayleigh–Ritz method. An active robust controller is designed to suppress vibration of the circular plate. Robustness of the control system of the circular plate is discussed for the model parameter uncertainty. This active robust vibration control method is tested via experimental implementation. The experimental results show that the proposed robust active control method is efficient for active vibration suppression.