Reconfiguring smart structures using approximate heteroclinic connections

Zhang, J. and McInnes, C. R. (2015) Reconfiguring smart structures using approximate heteroclinic connections. Smart Materials and Structures, 24, 105034. (doi: 10.1088/0964-1726/24/10/105034)

Abstract

A new method is investigated to reconfigure smart structures using the technique of polynomial series to approximate a true heteroclinic connection between unstable equilibria in a smart structure model. We explore the use of polynomials of varying order to first approximate the heteroclinic connection between two equal-energy, unstable equilibrium points, and then develop an inverse method to control the dynamics of the system to track the reference polynomial trajectory. It is found that high-order polynomials can provide a good approximation to heteroclinic connections and provide an efficient means of generating such trajectories. The method is used first in a simple smart structure model to illustrate the method and is then extended to a more complex model where the numerical generation of true heteroclinic connections is difficult. It is envisaged that being computationally efficient, the method could form the basis for real-time reconfiguration of smart structures using heteroclinic connections between equal-energy, unstable configurations.

• Item Type: Articles
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: McInnes, Professor Colin
• Authors: Zhang, J., and McInnes, C. R.
• College/School: College of Science and Engineering > School of Engineering > Systems Power and Energy
• Journal Name: Smart Materials and Structures
• Publisher: IOP Publishing
• ISSN: 0964-1726
• ISSN (Online): 1361-665X
• Copyright Holders: Copyright © 2015 IOP Publishing Ltd.
• First Published: First published in Smart Materials and Structures 24:105034
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced in accordance with the copyright policy of the publisher