Nonlinear Dynamics and Control of Fluid Systems with Applications to Turbomachinery

Richard M. Murray
United Technologies Research Center

SPECIAL PLACE AND TIME

Scaife Hall 125
Refreshments 2:45 pm
Talk 3:15 pm

Abstract

This talk will provide a survey of some of the nonlinear dynamics and control problems that arise in the context of turbomachinery, primarily motivated by gas turbine engines for propulsion and power. By making use of reduced order models and control-oriented nonlinear analysis techniques, substantial progress has been made in understanding and actively controlling fluid instabilities in these systems. Specific results include stabilization of rotating stall and surge in axial flow compression systems and control of combustion instabilities in lean, pre-mixed industrial power systems. Nonlinearity plays an integral role in both the dynamics and control of these systems and non-equilibrium behavior (e.g., stable and unstable limit cycles) must be exploited. Analytical results on bifurcation control in the presence of magnitude and rate limits give insights into some of the fundamental performance limitations in active control of this class of fluid instabilities. Experimental results on a low speed, axial flow compressor and a full-scale industrial combustion rig will be used to illustrate the combined role of dynamic modeling and analysis with active control technology.

Speaker Biography

Richard M. Murray is the Director of Mechatronic Systems at the United Technologies Research Center in East Hartford, Connecticut. He is on leave from the California Institute of Technology where he is an Associate Professor of Mechanical Engineering. Dr. Murray received his B.S. degree in Electrical Engineering from the California Institute of Technology in 1985 and his M.S. and Ph.D. degrees in Electrical Engineering and Computer Sciences from the University of California, Berkely, in 1988 and 1991, respectively. His research interests include nonlinear control of mechanical systems with applications to aerospace vehicles and robotic locomotion, active control of fluids with applications to propulsion and power systems, and nonlinear dynamical systems theory.

Speaker Appointments

For appointments, please contact the host, Howie Choset (choset@ri.cmu.edu).