Tensegrity Structure as the Control Base of a Flight Simulator

Abstract

The aircraft industry, military, and NASA mainly rely on the Stewart platform design, a fixed ground-based flight simulator, for the preliminary stages of pilot training and the testing of new aircraft. These systems are large, and expensive to maintain and repair. In this effort, we propose a Tensegrity based structural concept as the basis for a unique and effective flight simulator. Tensegrity structures are systems of tensile cables and compressive members. This structure has a high precision of control, is lightweight, and deployable. At the University of Cincinnati, preliminary Tensegrity models have been constructed to test our understanding of a dynamic nature of the system and to provide physical models to work with. Some of these models were constructed as static models in order to gain an understanding of construction methods. Another model was constructed as a dynamic model, consisting of small pulleys and cables, to simulate the basic operations of a flight simulator. Nomenclature θ = angular velocity about x-axis φ = angular velocity about y-axis ψ = angular velocity about z-axis I. Introduction HE main objective of this project was to use SIM Mechanics® to investigate the structural properties of a Tensegrity flight simulator. In order to accomplish this goal, it was necessary to develop algorithms that determine the necessary cable length variations to establish stable dynamic Tensegrity structures. These structures were then manipulated to simulate the perturbations required to accurately simulate the characteristics of an aircraft. Once the range of motion for a Tensegrity structure of this type was determined, the structures were subjected to external forces to determine the dynamic responses. This system will be dynamically controlled and respond in real time to the pilot's commands. The reasoning for this project is to design a flight simulator that could be used for micro UAV's in wind tunnels and the replacement of conventional high-energy flight simulators.