Suppression of nonlinear aeroelastic vibrations by learned neural network controller

Purpose The purpose of the paper is to analyze the active suppression of the aeroelastic vibrations of ailerons with strongly nonlinear characteristics by neural network/reinforcement learning (NN/RL) control method and comparing it with the classic robust methods of suppression. Design/methodology/approach The flexible wing and aileron with hysteresis nonlinearity is treated as a plant-controller system and NN/RL and robust controller are used to suppress the nonlinear aeroelastic vibrations of aileron. The simulation approach is used for analyzing the efficiency of both types of methods in suppressing of such vibrations. Findings The analysis shows that the NN/RL controller is able to suppress the nonlinear vibrations of aileron much better than linear robust method, although its efficiency depends essentially on the NN topology as well as on the RL strategy. Research limitations/implications Only numerical analysis was carried out; thus, the proposed solution is of theoretical value, and its application to the real suppression of aeroelastic vibrations requires further research. Practical implications The work shows the NN/RL method has a great potential in improving suppression of highly nonlinear aeroelastic vibrations, opposed to the classical robust methods that probably reach their limits in this area. Originality/value The work raises the questions of controllability of the highly nonlinear aeroelastic systems by means of classical robust and NN/RL methods of control.