Can a Controller Efficiently Work in a Damping-Free System?

[nyknicks012]

In most systems there is some sort of damping, but is it possible to develop a controller that works efficiently in a system with no damping? For example, imagine tracking the position of a linear cart moving on a track with no friction. Would it be possible to design a controller to supply a force to the cart at the start, turn off, and then apply a force when needed in the opposite direction to bring the car to a complete stop with little to zero overshoot? This somewhat resembles a critically damped controller, except for the middle part when no force is applied and the car is coasting without the effect of friction. If anyone knows any websites or books that would help it would be greatly appreciated, thanks!

 

[Cyrus]

The problem here is that there is no such system that lacks damping. Also, why would you have a controller supply a force, turn off, and turn on again? That's not how controllers work. A controller is turned on, and it says on, providing feedback to stabilize the system. Also, your controller will be designed to add artificial damping because a zero damping system is on the verge of instability (i.e., bad).

 

[nyknicks012]

The scenario I was thinking of is satellite attitude control. I would think that a rotating satellite would continue to rotate if it were sufficiently high enough (perhaps GEO orbit) with negligible effects from solar wind and cosmic rays-at least on the time period that we would care about (hours or days)

 

[Cyrus]

The scenario I was thinking of is satellite attitude control. I would think that a rotating satellite would continue to rotate if it were sufficiently high enough (perhaps GEO orbit) with negligible effects from solar wind and cosmic rays-at least on the time period that we would care about (hours or days)

Good observation! But again, it appears to me that you would still want damping in the system for stability in the form of thrust augmentation.

 

[alphy]

I can say that it is theoretically possible to design a controller that can efficiently work in a damping-free system. However, it would require a highly sophisticated and precise control system that takes into account various factors such as the initial force applied, the weight and speed of the cart, and the timing of when to apply the opposite force to bring the cart to a complete stop with minimal overshoot.

One approach to achieving this could be through the use of predictive control algorithms that can anticipate the movement of the cart and adjust the force accordingly. Another approach could be to use advanced sensors and feedback mechanisms to constantly monitor and adjust the force applied to the cart.

It is important to note that while it may be possible to design such a controller, it may not be practical or cost-effective to implement in real-world systems. Additionally, the absence of damping in a system can also lead to instability and unpredictable behavior, which could potentially hinder the efficiency of the controller.

In terms of resources, there are various books and research papers available on control theory and design that may provide insights into this topic. Some recommended resources include "Modern Control Engineering" by Katsuhiko Ogata, "Feedback Control Systems" by Gene F. Franklin, and "Control Systems Engineering" by Norman S. Nise.

In conclusion, while it is possible to design a controller that can efficiently work in a damping-free system, it may not be practical or feasible in all cases. Further research and development in this area could potentially lead to more advanced and efficient control systems in the future.