A Generalized State-Space Aeroservoelastic Model Based on Tangential Interpolation

In this work, a new approach for the generation of a generalized state-space aeroservoelastic model based on tangential interpolation is presented. The resulting system of differential algebraic equations (DAE) is reduced to a set of ordinary differential equations (ODE) by residualization of the non-proper part of the transfer function matrix. The generalized state-space is of minimal order and allows for the application of the force summation method (FSM) for the aircraft loads recovery. Compared to the classical rational function approximation (RFA) approach, the presented method provides a minimal order realization with exact interpolation of the unsteady aerodynamic forces in tangential directions, avoiding any selection of poles (lag states). The new approach is applied first for the generation of an aerodynamic model for the bidimensional unsteady incompressible flow in the time domain. Next, an application on the generation of an aeroservoelastic model for loads evaluation of the flutter reduced order assessment (FERMAT) model under atmospheric disturbances is done, showing an excellent agreement with the reference model in the frequency domain. The proposed aeroservoelastic model of minimal order is suited for loads analysis and multivariable control design, and an application to a gust loads alleviation (GLA) strategy is shown.