Electrohydraulic Actuator Control for Adaptive Friction Minimization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for reducing mechanical friction in electro-hydraulic actuators using electrical oscillation signals often result in undesired effects due to oscillations in hydraulic systems, leading to a safety margin that limits the actuator's performance potential.
Innovation Solution
A control method that adapts an oscillatory signal superimposed on the electric voltage applied to an electro-hydraulic actuator based on measurements of hydraulic pressure oscillations, minimizing deviations to prevent disturbance and optimize performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If electrical oscillation signals are applied to reduce mechanical friction, then friction is reduced, but hydraulic pressure oscillations cause undesired effects
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where hydraulic pressure is measured and used to adapt the oscillatory signal in real-time. The control unit receives pressure measurements and adjusts the oscillation parameters (amplitude, frequency, or phase) to minimize undesired hydraulic pressure oscillations while maintaining friction reduction benefits.
Solution Approach 2:
The oscillatory signal parameters are made dynamic and adaptable rather than fixed. The control method allows continuous adjustment of the oscillation characteristics based on measured hydraulic pressure conditions, enabling the system to optimize performance for different operating states and minimize harmful effects.
2Reliability
If a safety margin is applied to account for test bench conditions, then reliability is improved, but actuator performance potential is limited
Solution Approach 1:
By implementing real-time feedback from hydraulic pressure measurements, the system can operate closer to its true performance limits with confidence. The adaptive control continuously monitors actual system behavior and adjusts parameters to maintain safe operation, eliminating the need for conservative safety margins that would otherwise limit performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically changes operating parameters based on actual conditions rather than relying on fixed conservative settings. This allows the actuator to operate at optimal performance levels while the adaptive control ensures reliability by adjusting parameters when critical conditions are detected.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach effectively reduces mechanical friction while minimizing undesired effects, allowing the actuator to operate closer to its full performance potential by dynamically adjusting the oscillatory signal in response to hydraulic pressure measurements.
Implementation Method 1
an electro-hydraulic actuator (101), which is designed to influence a hydraulic pressure as a function of an electric voltage (U) applied to the actuator (101)
Implementation Method 2
the electric voltage (U) applied to the actuator (101) is subjected to oscillations... By virtue of the oscillating electric voltage, the actuator is caused to oscillate mechanically. On the one hand this reduces the mechanical friction of the actuator
Implementation Method 3
the hydraulic pressure is measured. As a function of that, according to the invention the oscillatory signal is adapted
Data Source
AI summary
A method of controlling an electro-hydraulic actuator (101). An electric voltage applied to the actuator (101) is established by superimposing a control variable with an oscillatory signal. A hydraulic pressure, influenced by the actuator (101), is measured. The oscillatory signal is adapted as a function of the measured hydraulic pressure.