Active Vibration Control of Smart Hull Structure in Underwater Using Micro-Fiber Composite Actuators

MFC 작동기를 이용한 수중 Hull 구조물의 능동 진동 제어

Structural vibration and noise are hot issues in underwater vehicles such as submarines for their survivability. Therefore, active vibration and noise control of submarine, which can be modeled as hull structure, have been conducted by the use of piezoelectric materials. Traditional piezoelectric materials are too brittle and not suitable to curved geometry such as hull structures. Therefore, advanced anisotropic piezoceramic actuator named as Macro-Fiber Composite (MFC), which can provide great flexibility, large induced strain and directional actuating force is adopted for this research. In this study, dynamic model of the smart hull structure is established and active vibration control performance of the smart hull structure is evaluated using optimally placed MFC. Actuating performance of MFC is evaluated by finite element analysis and dynamic modeling of the smart hull structure is derived by finite element method considering underwater condition. In order to suppress the vibration of hull structure, Linear-Quadratic-Gaussian (LQG) algorithm is adopted. After then active vibration control performance of the proposed smart hull structure is evaluated with computer simulation and experimental investigation in underwater. Structural vibration of the hull structure is decreased effectively by applying proper control voltages to the MFC actuators.