Plant design for deterministic control of STEMS and tale-springs

In this thesis, the limits of conventional linear actuators for long stroke applications are discussed, and tape-spring based actuators such as the STEM are introduced as an alternative solution. While the literature contains several assessments of self-deploying tape-springs, little exists in the area of closed loop deterministic control of such mechanisms. This thesis adapts the existing models of tape springs to form a framework for the study of closed loop controllable tape springs. Included is an evaluation of the validity of the prevailing first order model for a coiled tape-spring. Lastly, several avenues for future research are suggested.

Department dc:contributor.department

Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Dept. of Mechanical Engineering.

Grantor dc:publisher

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Year dc:date.issued

2005

Author dc:creator

• Hatton, Ross L. (Ross Lawrence)

Advisor dc:contributor.advisor

• Alexander H. Slocum.

• Mechanical Engineering.

Statement dc:rights

• M.I.T. theses are protected by copyright. They may be viewed from this source for any purpose, but reproduction or distribution in any format is prohibited without written permission. See provided URL for inquiries about permission.

Licence dc:rights.uri

• http://dspace.mit.edu/handle/1721.1/7582

Language dc:language.iso

eng

Handle dc:identifier.uri

http://hdl.handle.net/1721.1/32892

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:dspace.mit.edu:1721.1/32892