A control system for a microgravity isolation mount

Author

Jones, Dewi I. ; Owens, A.R. ; Owen, R. Gareth

Author_Institution

Sch. of Electron. Eng. Sci., Univ. of Wales, Bangor, UK

Volume

4

Issue

4

fYear

1996

fDate

7/1/1996 12:00:00 AM

Firstpage

313

Lastpage

325

Abstract

This paper describes the development of a control system and associated technology for a microgravity isolation mount (MGIM)-a device to isolate sensitive scientific payloads on orbiting spacecraft from ambient vibration. The construction of the MGIM, and the specifications which it must satisfy, are briefly described; the control system which achieves this is described in more detail. A model for the MGIM is derived which includes the effect of asymmetric distribution of the payload mass. It is shown that this induces angular motion of the payload and violation of the tolerable microgravity level, unless counteracting control forces are produced. The technology required to support the concept is also described and the results of vibration tests conducted on a full-scale laboratory version of the MGIM are presented

Keywords

aerospace control; control systems; digital control; vibration control; ambient vibration; angular motion; control system; microgravity isolation mount; orbiting spacecraft; payload mass distribution; sensitive scientific payloads; vibration tests; Control systems; Force control; Isolation technology; Laboratories; Motion control; Payloads; Space technology; Space vehicles; Testing; Vibration control;

fLanguage

English

Journal_Title

Control Systems Technology, IEEE Transactions on

Publisher

ieee

ISSN

1063-6536

Type

jour

DOI

10.1109/87.508880

Filename

508880