Abstract
A formula of variable inertia systems, which contain controllable inertia, is introduced, and a feedback linearization technique for the variable inertia systems is proposed. This linearization technique allows us to control the variable inertia systems through linear control methods without linear control inputs. The formula of variable inertia systems consists of two subsystems related to rotation and variable inertia. The rotational subsystem contains an ordinary differential equation, and the subsystem of variable inertia is independent from the alternative subsystem. Because of these system properties, the proposed technique is composed of a noninteracting condition to linear control inputs for the rotational subsystem, and a servo controller for the subsystem of variable inertia to satisfy the noninteracting condition. The resulting closed-loop system becomes linear. To validate the feedback linearization technique, a vibration suppression controller for a 2-DOF variable inertia system without dampers is derived, and numerical simulations of the controlled system are carried out. The simulation results confirm that the system is sufficiently controlled through the feedback linearization technique without linear control inputs.
