• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
• /
• v.24 no.3
• /
• pp.375-393
• /
• 2006

Under high velocity, pulse type near source earthquakes semi-active control systems are very effective in reducing seismic response base isolated structures. Semi-active control systems can be classified as: 1) independently variable stiffness, 2) independently variable damping, and 3) combined variable stiffness and damping systems. Several researchers have studied the effectiveness of independently varying damping systems for seismic response reduction of base isolated structures. In this study effectiveness of a combined system consisting of a semi-active independently variable stiffness (SAIVS) device and a magnetorheological (MR) damper in reducing seismic response of base isolated structures is analytically investigated. The SAIVS device can vary the stiffness, and hence the period, of the isolation system; whereas, the MR damper enhances the energy dissipation characteristics of the isolation system. Two separate control algorithms, i.e., a nonlinear tangential stiffness moving average control algorithm for smooth switching of the SAIVS device and a Lyapunov based control algorithm for damping variation of MR damper, are developed. Single and multi degree of freedom systems consisting of sliding base isolation system and both the SAIVS device and MR damper are considered. Results are presented in the form of nonlinear response spectra, and effectiveness of combined variable stiffness and variable damping system in reducing seismic response of sliding base isolated structures is evaluated. It is shown that the combined variable stiffness and variable damping system leads to significant response reduction over cases with variable stiffness or variable damping systems acting independently, over a broad period range.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Precision Engineering Conference
• /
• 2011.06a
• /
• pp.1373-1374
• /
• 2011

• Smart Structures and Systems
• /
• v.24 no.3
• /
• pp.303-317
• /
• 2019

Magneto-rheological fluid (MRF) rotatory dampers are normally used for controlling the constant rotation of machines and engines. In this research, such a device is proposed to act as variable stiffness device to alleviate the rotational oscillation existing in the many engineering applications, such as motor. Under such thought, the main purpose of this work is to characterize the nonlinear torque-angular displacement/angular velocity responses of an MRF based variable stiffness device in oscillatory motion. A rotational hysteresis model, consisting of a rotatory spring, a rotatory viscous damping element and an error function-based hysteresis element, is proposed, which is capable of describing the unique dynamical characteristics of this smart device. To estimate the optimal model parameters, a modified whale optimization algorithm (MWOA) is employed on the captured experimental data of torque, angular displacement and angular velocity under various excitation conditions. In MWOA, a nonlinear algorithm parameter updating mechanism is adopted to replace the traditional linear one, enhancing the global search ability initially and the local search ability at the later stage of the algorithm evolution. Additionally, the immune operation is introduced in the whale individual selection, improving the identification accuracy of solution. Finally, the dynamic testing results are used to validate the performance of the proposed model and the effectiveness of the proposed optimization algorithm.

• Smart Structures and Systems
• /
• v.9 no.4
• /
• pp.373-392
• /
• 2012

Tracking control of systems with variable stiffness hysteresis using a gain-scheduled (GS) controller is developed in this paper. Variable stiffness hysteretic system is represented as quasi linear parameter dependent system with known bounds on parameters. Assuming that the parameters can be measured or estimated in real-time, a GS controller that ensures the performance and the stability of the closed-loop system over the entire range of parameter variation is designed. The proposed method is implemented on a spring-mass system which consists of a semi-active independently variable stiffness (SAIVS) device that exhibits hysteresis and precisely controllable stiffness change in real-time. The SAIVS system with variable stiffness hysteresis is represented as quasi linear parameter varying (LPV) system with two parameters: linear time-varying stiffness (parameter with slow variation rate) and stiffness of the friction-hysteresis (parameter with high variation rate). The proposed LPV-GS controller can accommodate both slow and fast varying parameter, which was not possible with the controllers proposed in the prior studies. Effectiveness of the proposed controller is demonstrated by comparing the results with a fixed robust $\mathcal{H}_{\infty}$ controller that assumes the parameter variation as an uncertainty. Superior performance of the LPV-GS over the robust $\mathcal{H}_{\infty}$ controller is demonstrated for varying stiffness hysteresis of SAIVS device and for different ranges of tracking displacements. The LPV-GS controller is capable of adapting to any parameter changes whereas the $\mathcal{H}_{\infty}$ controller is effective only when the system parameters are in the vicinity of the nominal plant parameters for which the controller is designed. The robust $\mathcal{H}_{\infty}$ controller becomes unstable under large parameter variations but the LPV-GS will ensure stability and guarantee the desired closed-loop performance.

• Smart Structures and Systems
• /
• v.18 no.5
• /
• pp.955-982
• /
• 2016

Recent studies integrating vibration control and structural health monitoring (SHM) use control devices and control algorithms to enable system identification and damage detection. In this study real-time SHM is used to enhance structural vibration control and reduce damage. A newly proposed control algorithm, including integrated real-time SHM and semi-active control strategy, is presented to mitigate both damage and seismic response of the main structure under strong seismic ground motion. The semi-active independently variable stiffness (SAIVS) device is used as semi-active control device in this investigation. The proper stiffness of SAIVS device is obtained using a new developed semi-active control algorithm based on real-time damage tracking of structure by damage detection algorithm based on identified system Markov parameters (DDA/ISMP) method. A three bay five story steel braced frame structure, which is equipped with one SAIVS device at each story, is employed to illustrate the efficiency of the proposed algorithm. The obtained results show that the proposed control algorithm could significantly decrease damage in most parts of the structure. Also, the dynamic response of the structure is effectively reduced by using the proposed control algorithm during four strong earthquakes. In comparison to passive on and off cases, the results demonstrate that the performance of the proposed control algorithm in decreasing both damage and dynamic responses of structure is significantly enhanced than the passive cases. Furthermore, from the energy consumption point of view the maximum and the cumulative control force in the proposed control algorithm is less than the passive-on case, considerably.

• The Journal of Korea Robotics Society
• /
• v.2 no.2
• /
• pp.168-177
• /
• 2007

In a number of fields, robots are being used for two purposes: efficiency and safety. Most robots, however, have single-actuator mechanism for each joint, where the tasks are performed with high stiffness. High stiffness causes undesired problems to the environment and robots. This study proposes redundant actuator mechanism as an alternative idea to cope with these problems. In this paper, Double-Actuator Unit (DAU) is implemented at each joint for applications of multi-link manipulators. The DAU is composed of two motors: the positioning actuator and the stiffness modulator, which enables independent control of positioning and compliance. A three-link manipulator with DAUs enables adaptive control of RCC. By modulating the joint stiffness of the manipulator and controlling the position of RCC, we can significantly reduce contact force during assembly tasks and surgical procedures.

• Proceedings of the KSME Conference
• /
• 2008.11a
• /
• pp.822-826
• /
• 2008

A linkage mechanism is a device to convert an input motion into a desired output motion. Traditional linkage mechanism designs are based on trial and error approaches so that size or shape changes of an original mechanism often result in improper results. In order to resolve these problems, an improved automatic mechanism synthesis method that determines the linkage type and dimensions by using an optimization method during the synthesis process has been proposed. For the synthesis, a planar linkage is modeled as a set of rigid blocks connected by zero-length translational springs with variable stiffness. In this study, the sizes of rigid blocks were also treated as design variables for more general linkage synthesis. The values of spring stiffness and the size of rigid block yielding a desired output motion at the end-effecter are found by using an optimization method.

• Journal of the Korean Society for Precision Engineering
• /
• v.30 no.3
• /
• pp.260-265
• /
• 2013

To increase the machine accuracy by improving the stiffness of spindle bearings, preload was applied to the spindle bearings. The methods of fixed position preload, convertible preload, constant pressure preload, and variable preload are used to apply the preload to the spindle bearing. The previous studies performed by the author of this study were variable preload methods using rubber pressure and centrifugal force based on mechanical systems. This study proposed a toggle joint mechanism that could be applied to variable preload method using centrifugal force and rubber pressure to increase the preload. Also, a finite element analysis was conducted to predict the deformation of the rubber and change of the preload. And the analysis results showed that the preload by the device using rubber pressure only was increased by the toggle joint mechanism using rubber pressure.

• Proceedings of the KSME Conference
• /
• 2007.05a
• /
• pp.1730-1733
• /
• 2007

As semiconductor and MEMS devices become smaller, testing process during their production should follow such a high density trend. A circuit inspection tool "probe card" makes contact with electrode pads of the device under test (DUT). Nowadays, electrode pads are irregularly arranged and have height difference. In order to absorb variations in the heights of electrode pads and to generate contact loads, contact probes must have some levels of mechanical spring properties. Contact probes must also yield a force to break the surface native oxide layer or contamination layer on the electrodes to make electric contact. In this research, new vertical micro contact probe with bellows shape is developed to overcome shortage of prior work. Especially, novel bellows shape is used to reduce stress concentration in this design and stopper is used to change the stiffness of micro contact probe. Variable stiffness can be one solution to overcome the height difference of electrode pads.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
• /
• v.46 no.2
• /
• pp.153-177
• /
• 2013

Pendulums can be used as passive vibration control devices in several structures and machines. In the present work, the nonlinear behavior of a pendulum-tower system is studied. The tower is modeled as a bar with variable cross-section with concentrated masses. First, the vibration modes and frequencies of the tower are obtained analytically. The primary structure and absorber together constitute a coupled system which is discretized as a two degrees of freedom nonlinear system, using the normalized eigenfunctions and the Rayleigh-Ritz method. The analysis shows the influence of the geometric nonlinearity of the pendulum absorber on the response of the tower. A parametric analysis also shows that, with an appropriate choice of the absorber parameters, a pendulum can decrease the vibration amplitudes of the tower in the main resonance region. The results also show that the pendulum nonlinearity cannot be neglected in this type of problem, leading to multiplicity of solutions, dynamic jumps and instability. In order to improve the effectiveness of the control during the transient response, a hybrid control system is suggested. The added control force is implemented as a non-linear variable stiffness device based on position and velocity feedback. The obtained results show that this strategy of nonlinear control is attractive, has a good potential and can be used to minimize the response of slender structures under various types of excitation.