Development of a 3-DOF motion simulation platform

[摘要] ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The successful development of a three degree of freedom motion simulation platform,capable of simulating a vessel's flight deck at sea, is presented. The motion simulationplatform was developed to practically simulate and test an unmanned aerial vehicle'scapability of landing on a moving vessel, before practically being demonstrated on anactual vessel. All aspects of the motion simulation platform's development are considered,from the conceptual design to its practical implementation.The mechanical design and construction of a pneumatic motion simulation platform, aswell as the electronics and software to enable the operation of this motion simulationplatform, are presented. Mathematical models of the pneumatic process and platformorientation are developed. A controller architecture capable of regulating the pneumaticprocess, resulted in the successful control of the motion simulation platform.Practical motion simulation results of one of the South African Navy Patrol Corvettes,demonstrate the motion simulation platform's success. The successful development of themotion simulation platform can largely be attributed to extensive research, planning andevaluation of the different development phases.

[发布机构] Stellenbosch University