Performance Improvement of Human Centrifuge Systems through Multi-Objective Configurational Design Optimisation

Abstract

Human Centrifuge Systems (HCSs) are an effective training tool to improve the G-acceleration and Spatial Disorientation (SD) tolerance of aircrew. Though highly capable HCSs are available, their structure and performance are yet to be fully optimised to efficiently recreate the G-vectors produced using Aircraft Combat Manoeuvres (ACMs). To achieve this improvement, the relationship between configurational design and HCS performance should be profoundly investigated. This work proposes a framework for identifying the optimal configurational design of an active four Degree-of-Freedom (DoF) HCS. The relationship between configurational design parameters and objective criteria is established using inverse kinematics and dynamics. Then, a multi-objective evolutionary optimiser is used to identify the optimum arm length and seat position, minimising the Coriolis effect, relative acceleration ratio, and cost. The results of the work show that the applied optimisation step can significantly contribute to (1) efficiently replicating the aircraft motion, (2) minimising the detrimental effects generated during HCS motion, and (3) reducing the overall cost of the system. The applied methodology can be adapted to HCSs with different structures and DoFs.