Switching modeling and bumpless transfer tracking control for the conversion mode of tilt-rotor aircraft

Abstract

The modeling and state tracking control for the conversion mode of tilt-rotor aircraft are investigated with a switching modeling method and a bumpless transfer technique. Based on the Euler equation and the Blade element theory, the nonlinear model of conversion mode is deduced to illustrate the features of the tilting process. Afterward, the switching modeling method settles the linearization problem of the nonlinear control with an uncontrollable nacelle inclination signal. Meanwhile, it also transfers the conversion mode control issue to a reference state tracking control problem of switched linear systems. In addition, the [Formula: see text] control is adopted to restrain the external disturbances, and the controller with bumpless transfer performance is designed to overcome the control jump at switching instants. Finally, an example of XV-15 tilt-rotor aircraft is proposed to illustrate the effectiveness of the developed method.