Linear Parameter Varying Techniques Applied to Aeroservoelastic Aircraft: In Memory of Gary Balas

This paper presents an overview of Dr. Gary Balas research activities in linear, parameter-varying (LPV) systems applied to aeroservoelastic (ASE) aircraft. More efficient aircraft can be designed by reducing weight and structure in the wings and fuselage. This makes the aircraft more flexible leading to increased ASE effects. Such ASE aircraft can be modeled as a linear parameter varying (LPV) system with an arbitrary, i.e. not necessarily rational, dependence on the scheduling parameters. The system involves coupling of the aircraft structural dynamics and aerodynamics thus resulting in large state dimension. This large dimension necessitates special approaches to modeling, order reduction and control design. The paper describes the process of designing an LPV controller for flutter suppression of a flexible unmanned aircraft starting from the nonlinear equation of motions for the vehicle.