Method and Apparatus for Cable-Driven Adaptive Vibration Control

In recent years, Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) have been used increasingly for information gathering, such as reconnaissance, surveillance, and target tracking, for both military and civil purposes. UAVs are equipped with vital, sophisticated sensors and instruments that suffer from high-frequency vibrations due to propeller vibration and air friction. There currently exists a need to minimize the desired vibration disturbances as they can severely degrade instrument performance.

Researchers at Purdue University have developed a cable-driven adaptive vibration control system. The technology described replaces traditional rigid links with a control system that is much lighter and fit for a UAV. By introducing actuators into the cable-driven system, it automatically adapts to various dynamic vibration environments by actively adjusting cable tensions

Advantages:

-Lightweight

-Adapts to various dynamic environments

Potential Applications:

-Vibration control systems

-UAVs

TRL: 3

Intellectual Property:

Keywords: Unmanned Aerial Vehicles, UAVs, vibration control system, cable-driven, adaptive vibration control, lightweight control system, actuator adjusted cable tension, dynamic vibration environments, instrument performance degradation, reconnaissance surveillance