Publications

Abstract not provided.

Abstract not provided.

This report summarizes the results of the Precision Guided Parachute LDRD, a two year program at Sandia National Laboratories which developed a Global Positioning System (GPS) guided parachute capable of autonomous flight and landings. A detailed computer model of a gliding parachute was developed for software only simulations. A hardware in-the-loop simulator was developed and used for flight package system integration and design validation. Initial parachute drop tests were conducted at Sandia`s Coyote Canyon Cable Facility, followed by a series of airdrops using Ross Aircraft`s Twin Otter at the Burris Ranch Drop Zone. Final flights demonstrated in-flight wind estimation and the capability to fly a commanded heading. In the past, the cost and logistical complexity of an initial navigation system ruled out actively guiding a parachute. The advent of the low-cost, light-weight Global Positioning System (GPS) has eliminated this barrier. By using GPS position and velocity measurements, a guided parachute can autonomously steer itself to a targeted point on the ground through the use of control drums attached to the control lanyards of the parachute. By actively correcting for drop point errors and wind drift, the guidance accuracy of this system should be on the order of GPS position errors. This would be a significant improvement over unguided airdrops which may have errors of a mile or more.

This paper describes the application of linear control design techniques to the problem of nuclear reactor control. The control algorithm consists of generating a nominal trajectory within the control authority of the reactor rod drives, and then following this trajectory with a gain scheduled linear quadratic regulator (LQR). A controller based on this algorithm has generated power pulses up to 100 MW on Sandia's Annular Core Research Reactor (ACRR). Prompt critical control at $1.02 net reactivity and controlled start up rates over 350 DPM have also been demonstrated using tills controller.