Genetic algorithms (GAs) are becoming increasingly popular due to their ability to solve large complex optimization problems which other methods have difficulty solving. In this paper, an introduction to the theory of GAs and its operators are presented. A brief overview of the current research using GAs in aerospace engineering applications is given. Based on the author's previous work, optimal piezoelectric actuator placement for space telescope mirrors using GAs is discussed. The problem discussed here involves finding optimal locations and optimal voltages for 15 piezoelectric actuators, selected from a maximum of 193 candidate locations. The GA was found to be effective and robust in solving this problem with more than 8.4*1021 possible solutions. Two sets of actuator placements are given as solutions to the multi-criteria optimization problem. The use of GAs for structural damage detection inverse problems for concentrated damage of a continuous beam is also shown. A real number encoded GA was found to provide relatively accurate solutions for this damage detection problem.
KEYWORDS: Aerodynamics, Actuators, Unmanned combat air vehicles, Control systems, Micro unmanned aerial vehicles, Systems modeling, 3D modeling, Performance modeling, Skin, Vehicle control
New generations of highly maneuverable aircraft, such as Uninhabited Combat Air Vehicles (UCAV) or Micro Air Vehicles (MAV) are likely to feature very flexible lifting surfaces. To enhance stealth properties and performance, the replacement of hinged control surfaces by smart wings and morphing airfoils is investigated. This requires a fundamental understanding of the interaction between aerodynamics, structures, and control systems. The goal is to build a model consistent with distributed control and to exercise this model to determine the progress possible in terms of flight control (lift, drag and maneuver performance) with an adaptive wing. Different modeling levels are examined and combined with a variety of distributed control approaches to determine what types of maneuvers and flight regimes may be possible. This paper describes the current progress of the project and highlights some recent findings.
This paper presents a conceptual design of a next generation large space telescope. A 8-m aperture telescope orbiting Earth at an altitude of 134,000 km would offer dramatic improvements over the Hubble Space Telescope (HST) in sensitivity, resolution, spectral range (1.2 micrometers - 40 micrometers ), sky coverage, and viewing efficiency. The proposed design is characterized by an effective solar shield, inflatable space-rigidized bottom sunshade, lightweight actively controlled primary and secondary mirrors, lightweight telescope shell, and relatively low overall mass (near HST mass). Initial thermal analysis indicates that very low- mirror temperatures can be achieved by purely radiative-cooling schemes, thereby allowing to extend spectral operating range to mid-IR wavelengths. The design presented assumes that research and development over the next decade should make it feasible to: 1) satisfy requirements for the telescope pointing accuracy and stability, autonomous mirror surface control, large format detectors with small size pixels, and cryocooler's long life, and 2) incorporate artificial intelligence into the spacecraft systems to provide extensive autonomy and fault detection/correction ability.
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