The Navy is exploring the use of Free Electron Lasers (FEL) on ships for use in directed energy weapons. The potency of the laser based weaponry is directly related to vibration isolation from the floor and other sources. Active vibration control is preferred because of the stringent requirements on alignment and isolation over a broad range of frequencies. Energen, Inc. proposes to develop a high force support that provides active vibration damping based on magnetic `smart" material actuators The system consists of motion sensors that measures motion due to vibration, a high speed digital signal processor and high force actuators based on magnetic smart materials and capable of operating at cryogenic temperatures. In Phase I, Energen, Inc. will develop a prototype actuator and measure its performance characteristics and sensitivity, and develop a design for an optimal control system. The developed control systems will be able to actively damp vibrations in one dimension. In Phase I option, Energen, Inc. will investigate and develop low frequency velocity sensors operating at cryogenic temperatures. The control systems design for a 3-dimensional active vibration isolation platform will be developed. Active vibration control technology has a wide range of applications. The low frequency damping capability that will be developed under this program will be valuable for semiconductor processing equipment, sensitive instrumentation such as electron or tunneling microscopes, etc.
Keywords: Active Vibration Control, Low Frequency Vibration, Free Electron Lasers, Magnetostrictors, Optimal Control, Stewarts Platform, Multi Dimensional Vibra
