Distributed parameter optimal control by adjoint aeroelastic differential operators for mode suppression control

This paper presents a distributed parameter optimal control method. The state-space equation of wing bending-torsion aeroelasticity is formulated using aeroelastic differential operators. The optimal control problem is formulated as linear quadratic regulator in a Hilbert inner product space. The solution to the optimal control problem leads to a differential operator Ricatti equation. Using a finite-series modal approximation, the differential operator Ricatti equation is converted into a spatially dependent Ricatti equation. The solution of this spatially dependent Ricatti equation is used to compute the distributed parameter optimal control which is spatially continuous. A flutter suppression control application is demonstrated on a flexible wing transport aircraft outfitted with a variable camber continuous trailing edge flap system.