Development of a 3-DOF motion simulation platform

Date
2010-03
Authors
Smit, Philip Ethelbert
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Stellenbosch : University of Stellenbosch
Abstract
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The successful development of a three degree of freedom motion simulation platform, capable of simulating a vessel’s flight deck at sea, is presented. The motion simulation platform was developed to practically simulate and test an unmanned aerial vehicle’s capability of landing on a moving vessel, before practically being demonstrated on an actual vessel. All aspects of the motion simulation platform’s development are considered, from the conceptual design to its practical implementation. The mechanical design and construction of a pneumatic motion simulation platform, as well as the electronics and software to enable the operation of this motion simulation platform, are presented. Mathematical models of the pneumatic process and platform orientation are developed. A controller architecture capable of regulating the pneumatic process, resulted in the successful control of the motion simulation platform. Practical motion simulation results of one of the South African Navy Patrol Corvettes, demonstrate the motion simulation platform’s success. The successful development of the motion simulation platform can largely be attributed to extensive research, planning and evaluation of the different development phases.
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: In hierdie studie word die suksesvolle ontwikkeling van ’n drie-grade-van-vryheid bewegingsimulasieplatform, wat in staat is daartoe om ’n skip se vliegdek ter see te simuleer, aangebied. Die bewegingsimulasieplatform is ontwikkel om ’n onbemande lugvaartuig se vermoë om op ’n bewegende skip te land, te simuleer en te toets, voor dit op ’n werklike skip gedemonstreer word. Alle aspekte van die ontwikkeling van die bewegingsimulasieplatform word in ag geneem – van die konsepontwerp tot die praktiese implementering daarvan. Die meganiese ontwerp en konstruksie van ’n pneumatiese bewegingsimulasieplatform word bespreek, sowel as die elektronika en programmatuur wat die werking van hierdie bewegingsimulasieplatform bemoontlik. Wiskundige modelle van die pneumatiese proses en platformoriëntering word ontwikkel. ’n Beheerderargitektuur wat in staat is daartoe om die pneumatiese proses te reguleer, lei tot die suksesvolle beheer van die bewegingsimulasieplatform. Praktiese resultate van die bewegingsimulering van een van die Suid-Afrikaanse Vloot se patrolliekorvette wys daarop dat die bewegingsimulasieplatform wel suksesvol is. Die geslaagde ontwikkeling van die bewegingsimulasieplatform kan grootliks toegeskryf word aan omvangryke navorsing, beplanning en evaluering van die onderskeie ontwikkelingsfases.
Description
Thesis (MScEng (Electrical and Electronic Engineering))--University of Stellenbosch, 2010.
Keywords
Motion simulation platform, Ship -- Motion simulation, Dissertations -- Electronic engineering, Theses -- Electronic engineering
Citation