Mechanical drive control

Abstract

Abstract

Mechanical drives, for weapon platforms, comprising relatively long shafts with inertia discs, representing the motor armature, gearing, platform and load inertias, etc., are considered. Analysis procedures are employed to model a system which has driving and braking torque inputs. Two outputs arising from the motor armature angular changes and the load inertia position, which is to be regulated, are available. Procedures enabling the dominant oscillatory modes of the system to be influenced by proportional control are outlined. Performance enhancement using passive networks is employed, providing thereby further design flexibility. The responses of the system under open- and closed-loop conditions are computed. The simplicity of the approach which can also be applied to systems having an unequal number of inputs and outputs is commented upon.