Optimal control theory is applied as a method for determining the minimum wind strength required for dynamic soaring of seabirds. Dynamic soaring is a flight technique by which seabirds extract energy from shear wind existing in an altitude layer close to the water surface. Mathematical models for describing the soaring motion of a bird and for the shear wind are presented. Optimality conditions are formulated using the minimum principle. Switching conditions are introduced to deal with a state constraint. Numerical results of high accuracy are generated using an efficient computational procedure based on the method of the multiple shooting for an albatross as a representative for seabirds performing dynamic soaring.
Application of optimal control theory to dynamic soaring of seabirds
Bussotti P.
2005-01-01
Abstract
Optimal control theory is applied as a method for determining the minimum wind strength required for dynamic soaring of seabirds. Dynamic soaring is a flight technique by which seabirds extract energy from shear wind existing in an altitude layer close to the water surface. Mathematical models for describing the soaring motion of a bird and for the shear wind are presented. Optimality conditions are formulated using the minimum principle. Switching conditions are introduced to deal with a state constraint. Numerical results of high accuracy are generated using an efficient computational procedure based on the method of the multiple shooting for an albatross as a representative for seabirds performing dynamic soaring.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
