A modular planar robotic manipulandum with end-point torque control.

Robotic manipulanda are extensively used in investigation of the motor control of human arm movements. They permit the application of translational forces to the arm based on its state and can be used to probe issues ranging from mechanisms of neural control to biomechanics. However, most current designs are optimized for studying either motor learning or stiffness. Even fewer include end-point torque control which is important for the simulation of objects and the study of tool use. Here we describe a modular, general purpose, two-dimensional planar manipulandum (vBOT) primarily optimized for dynamic learning paradigms. It employs a carbon fibre arm arranged as a parallelogram which is driven by motors via timing pulleys. The design minimizes the intrinsic dynamics of the manipulandum without active compensation. A novel variant of the design (WristBOT) can apply torques at the handle using an add-on cable drive mechanism. In a second variant (StiffBOT) a more rigid arm can be substituted and zero backlash belts can be used, making the StiffBOT more suitable for the study of stiffness. The three variants can be used with custom built display rigs, mounting, and air tables. We investigated the performance of the vBOT and its variants in terms of effective end-point mass, viscosity and stiffness. Finally we present an object manipulation task using the WristBOT. This demonstrates that subjects can perceive the orientation of the principal axis of an object based on haptic feedback arising from its rotational dynamics.

A model of driver steering control incorporating the driver's sensing of steering torque

Steering feel, or steering torque feedback, is widely regarded as an important aspect of the handling quality of a vehicle. Despite this, there is little theoretical understanding of its role. This paper describes an initial attempt to model the role of steering torque feedback arising from lateral tyre forces. The path-following control of a nonlinear vehicle model is implemented using a time-varying model predictive controller. A series of Kalman filters are used to represent the driver's ability to generate estimates of the system states from noisy sensory measurements, including the steering torque. It is found that under constant road friction conditions, the steering torque feedback reduces path-following errors provided the friction is sufficiently high to prevent frequent saturation of the tyres. When the driver model is extended to allow identification of, and adaptation to, a varying friction condition, it is found that the steering torque assists in the accurate identification of the friction condition. The simulation results give insight into the role of steering torque feedback arising from lateral tyre forces. The paper concludes with recommendations for further work. © 2011 Taylor & Francis.

Development of a torque meter for fishing vessels

The paper describes the development of an electronic instrument to measure the torque developed on the propeller shaft of fishing vessels at various speeds of the propeller. By measuring the torque, it is possible to determine the actual power transmitted from the engine gear-box unit to the propeller so that propeller efficiency can be evaluated and the optimum size of the propeller for a specific engine and vessel can be determined.

Mach-Zehnder interferometers with asymmetric modulation arms in applications of high speed silicon-on-insulator based optical switches

Modulation arms with different widths are introduced to Mach-Zehnder interferometers (MZIs) to obtain improved performance. Theoretical analysis and numerical simulation have shown that when the widths of the two arms are properly designed to achieve an inherent m pi/2 (m is an odd integer) optical phase difference between the arms, the asymmetric MZI presents higher modulation speed. Furthermore, the carrier-absorption induced divergence of insertion losses in silicon-on-insulator (SOI) based MZI optical switches can be obviously improved.

Synthesis and micellization of star-like hyperbranched polymer with poly(ethylene oxide) and Poly(epsilon-caprolactone) arms

Novel star-like hyperbranched polymers with amphiphilic arms were synthesized via three steps. Hyperbranched poly(amido amine)s containing secondary amine and hydroxyl groups were successfully synthesized via Michael addition polymerization of triacrylamide (TT) and 3-amino-1,2-propanediol (APD) with feed molar ratio of 1:2. H-1, C-13, and HSQC NMR techniques were used to clarify polymerization mechanism and the structures of the resultant hyperbranched polymers

White Electroluminescence from a Star-Like Polymer with an Orange Emissive Core and Four Blue Emissive Arms

A star-like white light-emitting polymer with an orange emissive core and four blue emissive arms is designed and synthesized. White electroluminescence is observed with simultaneous orange emission from the core and blue emission from the arms. A single-layer device based on this polymer emits white light with CIE coordinates of (0.35, 0.39) and a luminous efficiency of 7.06 cd A(-1).

输电线巡检机器人越障机理与试验

分析超高压输电线路架空地线上的障碍物类型以及跨越这些障碍的过程。可以发现,巡检机器人采用双臂交替跨越障碍,越障过程简单。但是由于受巡检机器人自身重力偏矩的影响和手臂长度尺寸的限制,当单臂悬架在架空地线上时,导致巡检机器人本体倾斜,另一手臂完成脱线和上线任务变得十分困难,有时甚至造成越障失败。为了解决上述问题,提出质量调节的控制方法。该方法通过调节巡检机器人的质心,使巡检机器人的本体保持水平状态。为了验证质量调节控制方法的正确性,采用Lagrange方法建立巡检机器人动力学模型,通过仿真试验、实验室模拟实际架空地线试验以及超高压实际现场试验说明了提出方法的可行性。

仿人机器人腰部机构的动力学建模、控制与仿真

本文介绍的仿人机器人具有差动腰部机构,它除了受自身的动力学影响以外,还受到手臂和车体运动以及外力、外力矩等对腰部机构关节力矩的影响。笔者利用高效牛顿-欧拉算法完成了仿人机器人的整体建模;在不考虑各关节间耦合运动的情况下,对整体动力学模型进行适当简化,得到了腰部机构的动力学模型。简化后的动力学模型既反映了机器人车体、腰部及双臂的动力学关系,又大大地减小了计算量,易于实现基于动力学的控制算法。基于动力学模型,给出了腰部机构PD伺服轨迹跟踪控制算法,并结合计算力矩方法用于补偿腰部机构两关节受到的力矩扰动。仿真分析表明,该控制方法可以明显提高腰部机构的位置跟踪精度,并提高仿人机器人的整体作业精度。

轮式移动仿人机器人的动力学建模与分析

利用高效迭代牛顿-欧拉方法对一个21自由度的轮式移动仿人机器人进行了整体动力学建模,该模型虽然维数较高,但消除了分块建模中需要对模块之间相互作用力进行建模的难点问题,并且由于机器人双臂的对称结构,当合理规划双臂运动时,动力学模型将得到部分简化。本文还对某关节运动时在各个关节所产生的力或力矩进行了仿真分析。解析及仿真结果表明,合理规划上臂各关节的协调运动,将极大地削弱车体及腰部各关节所受的力或力矩扰动,为基于动力学的机器人运动控制以及稳定性分析提供理论依据。