arXiv subjects

Paul Kotyczka

Publications and source records attributed to Paul Kotyczka.

13 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2026

Discrete Geometric Modeling and Extended State Estimation of Continuum Robots

In this paper, we present a fully discrete approach for the accurate and numerically efficient dynamical modeling and state estimation of continuum robots. The model is based on geometrically exact beams in a minimal, strain-based formulation and derived in the framework of Lie group variational integrators, allowing to preserve important geometric properties that we exploit to achieve high accuracy and numerical efficiency. We then propose a disturbance observer based on an extended Kalman filter formulation that reliably estimates system states as well as model uncertainties and external disturbances. Experiments on a real system validate the accuracy and efficiency of the proposed model and observer.

eess.SY↗

arXiv2025

Discrete nonlinear elastodynamics in a port-Hamiltonian framework

We provide a fully nonlinear port-Hamiltonian formulation for discrete elastodynamical systems as well as a structure-preserving time discretization. The governing equations are obtained in a variational manner and represent index-1 differential algebraic equations. Performing an index reduction one obtains the port-Hamiltonian state space model, which features the nonlinear strains as an independent state next to position and velocity. Moreover, hyperelastic material behavior is captured in terms of a nonlinear stored energy function. The model exhibits passivity and losslessness and has an underlying symmetry yielding the conservation of angular momentum. We perform temporal discretization using the midpoint discrete gradient, such that the beneficial properties are inherited by the developed time stepping scheme in a discrete sense. The numerical results obtained in a representative example are demonstrated to validate the findings.

math.DS↗

arXiv2025

Sampled-Data Control using Hermite-Obreschkoff Methods with an IDA-PBC Example

The motivation for this paper is the implementation of nonlinear state feedback control, designed based on the continuous-time plant model, in a sampled control loop under relatively slow sampling. In previous work we have shown that using one-step predictions of the target dynamics with higher order integration schemes, together with possibly higher order input shaping, is a simple and effective way to increase the feasible sampling times until performance degradation and instability occur. In this contribution we present a unifying derivation for arbitrary orders of the previously used Lobatto IIIA collocation and Hermite interpolation schemes through the Hermite-Obreschkoff formula. We derive, moreover, an IDA-PBC controller for a magnetic levitation system, which requires a non-constant target interconnection matrix, and show experimental results.

eess.SY↗

arXiv2025

Optimal Trajectory Control of Geometrically Exact Strings with Space-Time Finite Elements

In this contribution, we present a variational space-time formulation which generates an optimal feed-forward controller for geometrically exact strings. More concretely, the optimization problem is solved with an indirect approach, and the space-time finite element method translates the problem to a set of algebraic equations. Thereby, only the positional field and the corresponding adjoint variable field are approximated by continuous shape functions, which makes the discretization of a velocity field unnecessary. In addition, the variational formulation can be solved using commercial or open source finite element packages. The entire approach can also be interpreted as a multiple-shooting method for solving the optimality conditions based on the semi-discrete problem. The performance of our approach is demonstrated by a numerical test.

eess.SY↗

arXiv2024

On the velocity-stress formulation for geometrically nonlinear elastodynamics and its structure-preserving discretization

We consider the dynamics of an elastic continuum under large deformation but small strain. Such systems can be described by the equations of geometrically nonlinear elastodynamics in combination with the St. Venant-Kirchhoff material law. The velocity-stress formulation of the problem turns out to have a formal port-Hamiltonian structure. In contrast to the linear case, the operators of the problem are modulated by the displacement field which can be handled as a passive variable and integrated along with the velocities. A weak formulation of the problem is derived and essential boundary conditions are incorporated via Lagrange multipliers. This variational formulation explicitly encodes the transfer between kinetic and potential energy in the interior as well as across the boundary, thus leading to a global power balance and ensuring passivity of the system. The particular geometric structure of the weak formulation can be preserved under Galerkin approximation via appropriate mixed finite elements. In addition, a fully discrete power balance can be obtained by appropriate time discretization. The main properties of the system and its discretization are shown theoretically and demonstrated by numerical tests.

eess.SY↗

arXiv2023

Port-Hamiltonian formulation and structure-preserving discretization of hyperelastic strings

Port-Hamiltonian (PH) systems provide a framework for modeling, analysis and control of complex dynamical systems, where the complexity might result from multi-physical couplings, non-trivial domains and diverse nonlinearities. A major benefit of the PH representation is the explicit formulation of power interfaces, so-called ports, which allow for a power-preserving interconnection of subsystems to compose flexible multibody systems in a modular way. In this work, we present a PH representation of geometrically exact strings with nonlinear material behaviour. Furthermore, using structure-preserving discretization techniques a corresponding finite-dimensional PH state space model is developed. Applying mixed finite elements, the semi-discrete model retains the PH structure and the ports (pairs of velocities and forces) on the discrete level. Moreover, discrete derivatives are used in order to obtain an energy-consistent time-stepping method. The numerical properties of the newly devised model are investigated in a representative example. The developed PH state space model can be used for structure-preserving simulation and model order reduction as well as feedforward and feedback control design.

math.DS↗

arXiv2022

Structure preserving discontinuous Galerkin approximation of one-dimensional port-Hamiltonian systems

In this article, we present the structure-preserving discretization of linear one-dimensional port-Hamiltonian (PH) systems of two conservation laws using discontinuous Galerkin (DG) methods. We recall the DG discretization procedure which is based on a subdivision of the computational domain, an elementwise weak formulation with up to two integration by parts, and the interconnection of the elements using several numerical fluxes. We present the interconnection of the element models, which is power preserving in the case of conservative (unstabilized) numerical fluxes, and we set up the resulting global PH state space model. We discuss the properties of the obtained models, including the effect of the flux stabilization parameter on the spectrum. Finally, we show simulations with different parameters for a boundary controlled linear hyperbolic system.

eess.SY↗

arXiv2021

Explicit Port-Hamiltonian FEM-Models for Linear Mechanical Systems with Non-Uniform Boundary Conditions

In this contribution we present how to obtain explicit state space models in port-Hamiltonian form when a mixed finite element method is applied to a linear mechanical system with non-uniform boundary conditions. The key is to express the variational problem based on the principle of virtual power, with both the Dirichlet (velocity) and Neumann (stress) boundary conditions imposed in a weak sense. As a consequence, the formal skew-adjointness of the system operator becomes directly visible after integration by parts, and, after compatible FE discretization, the boundary degrees of freedom of both causalities appear as explicit inputs in the resulting state space model. The rationale behind our formulation is illustrated using a lumped parameter example, and numerical experiments on a one-dimensional rod show the properties of the approach in practice.

eess.SY↗

arXiv2021

Exergetic Port-Hamiltonian Systems: Modelling Basics

Port-Hamiltonian systems theory provides a structured approach to modelling, optimization and control of multiphysical systems. Yet, its relationship to thermodynamics seems to be unclear. The Hamiltonian is traditionally thought of as energy, although its meaning is exergy. This insight yields benefits: 1. Links to the GENERIC structure are identified, making it relatively easy to borrow ideas from a popular framework for nonequilibrium thermodynamics. 2. The port-Hamiltonian structure combined with a suitable bond-graph syntax is expected to become a main ingredient in thermodynamic optimization methods akin to exergy analysis and beyond. The intuitive nature of exergy and diagrammatic language facilitates interdisciplinary communication that is necessary for implementing sustainable energy systems and processes. Port-Hamiltonian systems are cyclo-passive, meaning that a power-balance equation immediately follows from their definition. For exergetic port-Hamiltonian systems, cyclo-passivity is synonymous with degradation of energy and follows from the first and the second law of thermodynamics being encoded as structural properties.

physics.class-ph↗

arXiv2021

Symplectic discrete-time energy-based control for nonlinear mechanical systems

In this article we present a novel discrete-time design approach which reduces the deteriorating effects of sampling on stability and performance in digitally controlled nonlinear mechanical systems. The method is motivated by recent results for linear systems, where feedback imposes closed-loop behavior that exactly represents the symplectic discretization of a desired target system. In the nonlinear case, both the second order accurate representation of the sampling process and the definition of the target dynamics stem from the application of the implicit midpoint rule. The implicit nature of the resulting state feedback requires the numerical solution of an in general nonlinear system of algebraic equations in every sampling interval. For an implementation with pure position feedback, the velocities/momenta have to be approximated in the sampling instants, which gives a clear interpretation of our approach in terms of the Störmer-Verlet integration scheme on a staggered grid. We present discrete-time versions of impedance or energy shaping plus damping injection control as well as computed torque tracking control. Both the Hamiltonian and the Lagrangian perspective are adopted. Besides a linear example to introduce the concept, the simulations with a planar two link robot model illustrate the performance and stability gain compared to the discrete implementations of continuous-time control laws. A short analysis of computation times shows the real-time capability of our method.

eess.SY↗

arXiv2020

An Object-Oriented Library for Heat Transfer Modelling and Simulation in Open Cell Foams

Metallic open cell foams have multiple applications in industry, e. g. as catalyst supports in chemical processes. Their regular or heterogeneous microscopic structure determines the macroscopic thermodynamic and chemical properties. We present an object-oriented python library that generates state space models for simulation and control from the microscopic foam data, which can be imported from the image processing tool iMorph. The foam topology and the 3D geometric data are the basis for discrete modeling of the balance laws using the cell method. While the material structure imposes a primal chain complex to define discrete thermodynamic driving forces, the internal energy balance is evaluated on a second chain complex, which is constructed by topological duality. The heat exchange between the solid and the fluid phase is described based on the available surface data. We illustrate in detail the construction of the dual chain complexes, and we show how the structured discrete model directly maps to the software objects of the python code. As a test case, we present simulation results for a foam with a Kelvin cell structure, and compare them to a surrogate finite element model with homogeneous parameters.

cs.CE↗

arXiv2018

Discrete-time port-Hamiltonian systems: A definition based on symplectic integration

We introduce a new definition of discrete-time port-Hamiltonian systems (PHS), which results from structure-preserving discretization of explicit PHS in time. We discretize the underlying continuous-time Dirac structure with the collocation method and add discrete-time dynamics by the use of symplectic numerical integration schemes. The conservation of a discrete-time energy balance - expressed in terms of the discrete-time Dirac structure - extends the notion of symplecticity of geometric integration schemes to open systems. We discuss the energy approximation errors in the context of the presented definition and show that their order is consistent with the order of the numerical integration scheme. Implicit Gauss-Legendre methods and Lobatto IIIA/IIIB pairs for partitioned systems are examples for integration schemes that are covered by our definition. The statements on the numerical energy errors are illustrated by elementary numerical experiments.

math.DS↗

arXiv2018

Weak Form of Stokes-Dirac Structures and Geometric Discretization of Port-Hamiltonian Systems

We present the mixed Galerkin discretization of distributed parameter port-Hamiltonian systems. On the prototypical example of hyperbolic systems of two conservation laws in arbitrary spatial dimension, we derive the main contributions: (i) A weak formulation of the underlying geometric (Stokes-Dirac) structure with a segmented boundary according to the causality of the boundary ports. (ii) The geometric approximation of the Stokes-Dirac structure by a finite-dimensional Dirac structure is realized using a mixed Galerkin approach and power-preserving linear maps, which define minimal discrete power variables. (iii) With a consistent approximation of the Hamiltonian, we obtain finite-dimensional port-Hamiltonian state space models. By the degrees of freedom in the power-preserving maps, the resulting family of structure-preserving schemes allows for trade-offs between centered approximations and upwinding. We illustrate the method on the example of Whitney finite elements on a 2D simplicial triangulation and compare the eigenvalue approximation in 1D with a related approach.

math.DS↗