Structure/control design synthesis of active flutter suppression system by goal programming

The simultaneous design of the structure and control for a typical wing section with a trailing control surface is considered. Since the original structure usually has inadequate dynamic characteristics for active control, design parameters must be optimally modified. Full-state feedback control gains are designed using the linear quadratic Gaussian regulator theory at the design airspeed; this is the only control design parameter. A typical wing section with a trailing control surface is examined as a design example, and then both structure and control design parameters are optimized in accordance with the following prioritized design requirements: 1) the flutter speed of an initial open-loop system is maintained, 2) the stability characteristics of a closed-loop system are obtained over a wide range of flight speed, 3) the control surface deflection angle is restrained, and 4) the degree of structural design changes is minimized. The sequential goal programming method is successfully applied to optimize these multidisciplinary design requirements.