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Aspects of geometric mechanics and control of mechanical systems

Citation

Lewis, Andrew David (1995) Aspects of geometric mechanics and control of mechanical systems. Dissertation (Ph.D.), California Institute of Technology. doi:10.7907/CHWF-M421. https://resolver.caltech.edu/CaltechETD:etd-07132006-143133

Abstract

Many interesting control systems are mechanical control systems. In spite of this, there has not been much effort to develop methods which use the special structure of mechanical systems to obtain analysis tools which are suitable for these systems. In this dissertation we take the first steps towards a methodical treatment of mechanical control systems.

First we develop a framework for analysis of certain classes of mechanical control systems. In the Lagrangian formulation we study "simple mechanical control systems" whose Lagrangian is "kinetic energy minus potential energy." We propose a new and useful definition of controllability for these systems and obtain a computable set of conditions for this new version of controllability. We also obtain decompositions of simple mechanical systems in the case when they are not controllable. In the Hamiltonian formulation we study systems whose control vector fields are Hamiltonian. We obtain decompositions which describe the controllable and uncontrollable dynamics. In each case, the dynamics are shown to be Hamiltonian in a suitably general sense.

Next we develop intrinsic descriptions of Lagrangian and Hamiltonian mechanics in the presence of external inputs. This development is a first step towards a control theory for general Lagrangian and Hamiltonian control systems. Systems with constraints are also studied. We first give a thorough overview of variational methods including a comparison of the "nonholonomic" and "vakonomic" methods. We also give a generalised definition for a constraint and, with this more general definition, we are able to give some preliminary controllability results for constrained systems.

Item Type:Thesis (Dissertation (Ph.D.))
Degree Grantor:California Institute of Technology
Division:Engineering and Applied Science
Major Option:Applied Mechanics
Thesis Availability:Public (worldwide access)
Research Advisor(s):
  • Murray, Richard M.
Thesis Committee:
  • Murray, Richard M. (chair)
  • Marsden, Jerrold E.
  • Burdick, Joel Wakeman
  • Caughey, Thomas Kirk
Defense Date:21 April 1995
Record Number:CaltechETD:etd-07132006-143133
Persistent URL:https://resolver.caltech.edu/CaltechETD:etd-07132006-143133
DOI:10.7907/CHWF-M421
Default Usage Policy:No commercial reproduction, distribution, display or performance rights in this work are provided.
ID Code:2875
Collection:CaltechTHESIS
Deposited By: Imported from ETD-db
Deposited On:03 Aug 2006
Last Modified:21 Dec 2019 04:22

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