MIMO Active Vibration Control of Magnetically Suspended Flywheels for Satellite IPAC Service

Theory and simulation results have demonstrated that four, variable speed flywheels could potentially provide the energy storage and attitude control functions of existing batteries and control moment gyros on a satellite. Past modeling and control algorithms were based on the assumption of rigidity in the flywheel’s bearings and the satellite structure. This paper provides simulation results and theory, which eliminates this assumption utilizing control algorithms for active vibration control (AVC), flywheel shaft levitation, and integrated power transfer and attitude control (IPAC), that are effective even with low stiffness active magnetic bearings (AMBs) and flexible satellite appendages. The flywheel AVC and levitation tasks are provided by a multiple input–multiple output control law that enhances stability by reducing the dependence of the forward and backward gyroscopic poles with changes in flywheel speed. The control law is shown to be effective even for (1) large polar to transverse inertia ratios, which increases the stored energy density while causing the poles to become more speed dependent, and for (2) low bandwidth controllers shaped to suppress high frequency noise. Passive vibration dampers are designed to reduce the vibrations of flexible appendages of the satellite. Notch, low-pass, and bandpass filters are implemented in the AMB system to reduce and cancel high frequency, dynamic bearing forces and motor torques due to flywheel mass imbalance. Successful IPAC simulation results are presented with a 12% initial attitude error, large polar to transverse inertia ratio $(IP∕IT)$⁠, structural flexibility, and unbalance mass disturbance.