I'm studying a system in space that uses centrifugal force to keep four tip masses extended. The system is defined as follows : a central hub that has rotation freedom in all directions, four tip masses linked to the hub by cables, and cables linking all adjacent tip masses into a square. Here is a top view of the system :

The cables may or may not be taut. Initially, the system is not rotating. For simplicity, we may keep the problem in 2D here.

I'm trying to model this system for control, as I will try to design controllers (in 3D space) to execute maneuvers (especially, spin-up to a given rotation speed). Unfortunately, I'm at loss to model the cables... also, I'm afraid the model will be very nonlinear (when a cable reaches its max length), which will force me to go into nonlinear control, and I'm not sure I know the tools that will allow me to do it.

Of course, I could model the cables as fixed length as long as there is sufficient rotational speed to guarantee they will be kept taught, but I'm especially interested in controlling the early stages of rotation where the speed won't be sufficient to keep the cables taut.

What do you think would be the best approach ?

I'm studying a system in space that uses centrifugal force to keep four tip masses extended. The system is defined as follows : a central hub that has rotation freedom in all directions, four tip masses linked to the hub by cables, and cables linking all adjacent tip masses into a square. Here is a top view of the system :

I'm trying to find a good physical/mathematical model fit for this system. The cables may or may not be taut. Initially, the system is not rotating. For simplicity, we may keep the problem in 2D here. flexibility and mass of the cables can be neglected.

I'm trying to model this system for control, as I will try to design controllers (in 3D space) to execute maneuvers (especially, spin-up to a given rotation speed). Unfortunately, I'm at loss to model the cables... also, I'm afraid the model will be very nonlinear (when a cable reaches its max length), which will force me to go into nonlinear control, and I'm not sure I know the tools that will allow me to do it.

Of course, I could model the cables as fixed length as long as there is sufficient rotational speed to guarantee they will be kept taught, but I'm especially interested in controlling the early stages of rotation where the speed won't be sufficient to keep the cables taut.

What do you think would be the best approach ?

I'm studying a system in space that uses centrifugal force to keep four tip masses extended. The system is defined as follows : a central hub that has rotation freedom in all directions, four tip masses linked to the hub by cables, and cables linking all adjacent tip masses into a square. Here is a top view of the system :

The cables may or may not be taut. For simplicity, we may keep the problem in 2D here.

I'm trying to model this system for control, as I will try to design controllers (in 3D space) to execute maneuvers (especially, spin-up to a given rotation speed). Unfortunately, I'm at loss to model the cables... also, I'm afraid the model will be very nonlinear (when a cable reaches its max length), which will force me to go into nonlinear control, and I'm not sure I know the tools that will allow me to do it.

Of course, I could model the cables as fixed length as long as there is sufficient rotational speed to guarantee they will be kept taught, but I'm especially interested in controlling the early stages of rotation where the speed won't be sufficient to keep the cables taut.

What do you think would be the best approach ?

I'm studying a system in space that uses centrifugal force to keep four tip masses extended. The system is defined as follows : a central hub that has rotation freedom in all directions, four tip masses linked to the hub by cables, and cables linking all adjacent tip masses into a square. Here is a top view of the system :

The cables may or may not be taut. Initially, the system is not rotating. For simplicity, we may keep the problem in 2D here.

I'm trying to model this system for control, as I will try to design controllers (in 3D space) to execute maneuvers (especially, spin-up to a given rotation speed). Unfortunately, I'm at loss to model the cables... also, I'm afraid the model will be very nonlinear (when a cable reaches its max length), which will force me to go into nonlinear control, and I'm not sure I know the tools that will allow me to do it.

Of course, I could model the cables as fixed length as long as there is sufficient rotational speed to guarantee they will be kept taught, but I'm especially interested in controlling the early stages of rotation where the speed won't be sufficient to keep the cables taut.

What do you think would be the best approach ?