OPTEC - K.U.Leuven Center of Excellence: Optimization in Engineering

"Maximally Smooth Transfers: Gluskabi Raccordations"
Erik I. Verriest

Abstract:
Smooth transfers for signals or trajectories of dynamical systems between elements of a particular subset of solutions are considered.  These can be stationary solutions, limit cycles, or more general classes.  The problem is first presented in a clear but abstract framework that sheds light on the constraints and the reason for imposing these constraints of the connecting solution (named Gluskabi raccordations after a mythical figure).  The solution is formulated as an optimal path in signal space. Then we look at specific interesting problems: the quasi-static transfers, known to thermodynamics, and their applications in static regime transfers of systems, orbit transfers in periodic regimes, e.g., of interest for smooth transitions between walking and running, and smooth transitions in harmonic signals (transients in the electric power industry). We also show a connection to the resolution of a paradox in optimal control.
 
Biography:
Erik I. Verriest received the degree of ‘Burgerlijk Electrotechnisch Ingenieur’ from the State University of Ghent, Ghent, Belgium and the M.Sc. and Ph.D. degrees from Stanford University.  He was with  the Control Systems Laboratory and the Hybrid Computation Centre, Ghent, Belgium in 1973-74.  He joined the faculty of Electrical and Computer Engineering at Georgia Tech in 1980, and spent three years at Georgia Tech Lorraine in Metz, France.  His  interests are in mathematical system theory, with focus on periodic and hybrid systems, delay – differential systems, model reduction for nonlinear systems, and control with communication constraints. He served on several IPC’s and is a member of the IFAC Committee on Linear Systems.  He is presently with ESAT, KULeuven, Belgium.