Fuzzy Feedback Control for Electro-Hydraulic Actuators

Electro-hydraulic actuators(EHA)have recently played a significant role in modern industrial applications,especially in systems requiring extremely high precision.This can be explained by EHA’s ability to precisely control the position and force through advanced sensors and innovative control algorithms.One of the promising approaches to improve control accuracy for EHA systems is applying classical to modern control algorithms,in which the proportional–inte-gral–derivative(PID)algorithm,fuzzy logic controller,and a hybrid of these methods are popular options.In this paper,we developed a novel version of the fuzzy control algorithm and linear feedback control method,namely fuzzy lin-ear feedback control,to improve the control performance.To achieve the highest performance,wefirst designed a mathematical EHA model based on the Matlab/Simulink software packages thanks to the selected parameters,which are similar to a real EHA system.Then,we respectively applied PID,fuzzy PID(FPID),and fuzzy linear feedback control(FLFC)before comparing them to have a full view of the outstanding advantages of the proposed algorithm.The simulation results showed that the proposed FLFC algorithm is approximately 99%and 77%super-ior in performance to the PID and feedback control algorithms,respectively.

Mechanism,Actuation,Perception,and Control of Highly Dynamic Multilegged Robots:A Review

Multilegged robots have the potential to serve as assistants for humans,replacing them in performing dangerous,dull,or unclean tasks.However,they are still far from being sufficiently versatile and robust for many applications.This paper addresses key points that might yield breakthroughs for highly dynamic multilegged robots with the abilities of running(or jumping and hopping)and self-balancing.First,21 typical multilegged robots from the last five years are surveyed,and the most impressive performances of these robots are presented.Second,current developments regarding key technologies of highly dynamic multilegged robots are reviewed in detail.The latest leg mechanisms with serial-parallel hybrid topologies and rigid–flexible coupling configurations are analyzed.Then,the development trends of three typical actuators,namely hydraulic,quasi-direct drive,and serial elastic actuators,are discussed.After that,the sensors and modeling methods used for perception are surveyed.Furthermore,this paper pays special attention to the review of control approaches since control is a great challenge for highly dynamic multilegged robots.Four dynamics-based control methods and two model-free control methods are described in detail.Third,key open topics of future research concerning the mechanism,actuation,perception,and control of highly dynamic multilegged robots are proposed.This paper reviews the state of the art development for multilegged robots,and discusses the future trend of multilegged robots.

Disturbance observer based position tracking of electro-hydraulic actuator

A nonlinear controller based on an extended second-order disturbance observer is presented to track desired position for an electro-hydraulic single-rod actuator in the presence of both external disturbances and parameter uncertainties. The proposed extended second-order disturbance observer deals with not only the external perturbations, but also parameter uncertainties which are commonly regarded as lumped disturbances in previous researches. Besides, the outer position tracking loop is designed with cylinder load pressure as output; and the inner pressure control loop provides the hydraulic actuator the characteristic of a force generator. The stability of the closed-loop system is provided based on Lyapunov theory. The performance of the controller is verified through simulations and experiments. The results demonstrate that the proposed nonlinear position tracking controller, together with the extended second-order disturbance observer, gives an excellent tracking performance in the presence of parameter uncertainties and external disturbance.

Practical Structural Design Approach of Multiconfiguration Planar Single‑Loop Metamorphic Mechanism with a Single Actuator

As a type of multiconfiguration mechanism that can operate in an under-actuated state,metamorphic mechanisms were proposed more than two decades ago and attracted significant interest.Studies on structural synthesis of metamorphic mechanisms tend to focus more on metamorphic techniques and the structural synthesis of source mechanisms for metamorphic mechanisms.By designing different constraint architectures of metamorphic joints,multistructures can be obtained from the same source metamorphic mechanism.To determine the constraint architectures of metamorphic joints and their different assembly combinations,a kinematic status matrix and a corresponding constraint status matrix are constructed based on the metamorphic cyclogram of a source mechanism.According to the equivalent resistance gradient model and the constraint status matrix,an equivalent resistance matrix for the metamorphic joints is proposed.A structural synthesis matrix of the metamorphic mechanism is then obtained from the equivalent resistance matrix by deducing the constraint form vectors of the metamorphic joints.Furthermore,a kinematic diagram synthesis of the source metamorphic mechanism of a planar single-loop metamorphic mechanism is proposed,which is based on only the 14 one-or zero-degrees-of-freedom linkage groups.The entire structural design method of a metamorphic mechanism is based on the structural synthesis matrix and is presented as a systematic process.Finally,the proposed structural design approach is illustrated by two examples to verify its feasibility and practicality.This study provides an effective method for designing a practical multi-mobility and multiconfiguration planar single-loop metamorphic mechanism with a single actuator.

Rotation Control of a 3-DOF Parallel Mechanism Driven by Pneumatic Muscle Actuators

The pneumatic muscle actuator(PMA)has many advantages,such as good flexibility,high power/weight ratio,but its nonlinearity makes it difficult to build a static mathematical model with high precision.A new method is proposed to establish the model of PMA.The concept of hybrid elastic modulus which is related to the static characteristic of PMA is put forward,and the energy conservation law is used to achieve the expression of the hybrid elastic modulus,which can be fitted out based on experimental data,and the model of PMA can be derived from this expression.At the same time,a 3-DOF parallel mechanism(a new bionic shoulder joint)driven by five PMAs is designed.This bionic shoulder joint adopts the structure of two antagonistic PMAs actualizing a rotation control and three PMAs controlling another two rotations to get better rotation characteristics.The kinematic and dynamic characteristics of the mechanism are analyzed and a new static model of PMA is used to control it.Experimental results demonstrate the effectiveness of this new static model.

Synthesis of Branched Chains with Actuation Redundancy for Eliminating Interior Singularities of 3T1R Parallel Mechanisms

Although it is common to eliminate the singularity of parallel mechanism by adding the branched chain with actuation redundancy, there is no theory and method for the configuration synthesis of the branched chain with actuation redundancy in parallel mechanism. Branched chains with actuation redundancy are synthesized for eliminating interior singularity of 3-translational and 1-rotational（3T1R） parallel mechanisms. Guided by the discriminance method of hybrid screw group according to Grassmann line geometry, all the possibilities are listed for the occurrence of interior singularities in 3T1R parallel mechanism. Based on the linear relevance of screw system and the principles of eliminating parallel mechanism singularity with actuation redundancy, different types of branched chains with actuation redundancy are synthesized systematically to indicate the layout and the number of the branched chainsinterior with actuation redundancy. A general method is proposed for the configuration synthesis of the branched chains with actuation redundancy of the redundant parallel mechanism, and it builds a solid foundation for the subsequent performance optimization of the redundant actuation parallel mechanism.

A New Method for Type Synthesis of 2R1T and 2T1R 3-DOF Redundant Actuated Parallel Mechanisms with Closed Loop Units

The current type synthesis of the redundant actuated parallel mechanisms is adding active-actuated kinematic branches on the basis of the traditional parallel mechanisms,or using screw theory to perform multiple getting intersection and union to complete type synthesis.The number of redundant parallel mechanisms obtained by these two methods is limited.In this paper,based on Grassmann line geometry and Atlas method,a novel and effective method for type synthesis of redundant actuated parallel mechanisms(PMs)with closed-loop units is proposed.Firstly,the degree of freedom(DOF)and constraint line graph of the moving platform are determined successively,and redundant lines are added in constraint line graph to obtain the redundant constraint line graph and their equivalent line graph,and a branch constraint allocation scheme is formulated based on the allocation criteria.Secondly,a scheme is selected and redundant lines are added in the branch chains DOF graph to construct the redundant actuated branch chains with closed-loop units.Finally,the branch chains that meet the requirements of branch chains configuration criteria and F&C(degree of freedom&constraint)line graph are assembled.In this paper,two types of 2 rotational and 1 translational(2R1T)redundant actuated parallel mechanisms and one type of 2 translational and 1 rotational(2T1R)redundant actuated parallel mechanisms with few branches and closed-loop units were taken as examples,and 238,92 and 15 new configurations were synthesized.All the mechanisms contain closed-loop units,and the mechanisms and the actuators both have good symmetry.Therefore,all the mechanisms have excellent comprehensive performance,in which the two rotational DOFs of the moving platform of 2R1T redundant actuated parallel mechanism can be independently controlled.The instantaneous analysis shows that all mechanisms are not instantaneous,which proves the feasibility and practicability of the method.

Optimum Seeking of Redundant Actuators for M-RCM 3-UPU Parallel Mechanism

The singularity problem brings troubles to the design and application for the parallel mechanism.Currently,redun-dant actuation is one of the useful methods to solve this singularity problem.However,faced to the numerous joints in a parallel mechanism,how to make a quantitative criterion of seeking the most efficient joints added actuators for letting the mechanism passes through singularity is a necessarily open issue.This paper focuses on a 2R1T 3-UPU(U for universal joint and P for prismatic joint)parallel mechanism(PM)with two rotational and one translational(2R1T)degrees of freedom(DOFs)and the ability of multiple remote centers of motion(M-RCM).The singularity analysis based on the indexes of motion/force transmissibility and constraint shows that this PM has transmission singular-ity,constraint singularity,mixed singularity and limb singularity.To solve these singular problems,the quantifiable redundancy transmission index(RTI)and the redundancy constraint index(RCI)are proposed for optimum seeking of redundant actuators for this PM.Then the appropriate redundant actuators are selected and the working scheme for redundant actuators near the corresponding singular configuration are given to help the PM passes through the singularity.This research proposes a quantitative criterion to optimum seeking of redundant actuators for the parallel mechanism to solve its singularity.

Actuation Spaces Synthesis of Lower-Mobility Parallel Mechanisms Based on Screw Theory

The lower-mobility parallel mechanism has been widely used in the engineering field due to its numerous excellent characteristics.However,little work has been devoted to the actuator selection and placement that best satisfy the system's functional requirements during concept design.In this study,a unified approach for synthesizing the actuation spaces of both rigid and flexure parallel mechanisms has been presented,and all possible combinations of inputs could be obtained,laying a theoretical foundation for the subsequent optimization of inputs.According to the linear independence of actuation space and constraint space of the lower-mobility parallel mechanism,a general expression of actuation spaces in the format of screw systems is deduced,a unified synthesis process for the lower-mobility parallel mechanism is derived,and the efficiency of the method is validated with two selective examples based on screw theory.This study presents a theoretical framework for the input selection problems of parallel mechanisms,aiming to help designers select and place actuators in a correct and even optimal way after the configuration design.

Precise robust motion control of cell puncture mechanism driven by piezoelectric actuators with fractional-order nonsingular terminal slidingmode control

A novel robust controller is proposed in this study to realize the precise motion control of a cell puncture mechanism(CPM)driven by piezoelectric ceramics(PEAs).The entire dynamic model of CPM is constructed based on the Bouc–Wen model,and the nonlinear part of the dynamic model is optimized locally to facilitate the construction of a robust controller.A model-based,nonlinear robust controller is constructed using time-delay estimation(TDE)and fractional-order nonsingular terminal sliding mode(FONTSM).The proposed controller does not require prior knowledge of unknown disturbances due to its real-time online estimation and compensation of unknown terms by using the TDE technology.The controller also has finite-time convergence and high-precision trajectory tracking capabilities due to FONTSM manifold and fast terminal sliding mode-type reaching law.The stability of the closed-loop system is proved by Lyapunov stability theory.Computer simulation and hardware-in-loop simulation experiments of CPM verify that the proposed controller outperforms traditional terminal sliding mode controllers,such as the integer-order or model-free controller.The proposed controller can also continuously output without chattering and has high control accuracy.Zebrafish embryo is used as a verification target to complete the cell puncture experiment.From the engineering application perspective,the proposed control strategy can be effectively applied in a PEA-driven CPM.

A New Type of Automotive Braking Actuator for Decentralized Electro-hydraulic Braking System

This paper presents a new type of automotive braking actuator for a kind of brake-by-wire system called decentralized electro-hydraulic braking system( DEHB) to replace the traditional automobile braking system. The actuator of this system is driven by an electrical motor instead of the conventional vacuum booster to make the brake pressure be linearity controlled quickly. Therefore,the system has the advantages of quick response speed,good control performance and simple structure. Firstly,an overview of the actuator and the whole DEHB system is shown. Secondly,the possibility of this new kind of actuator working for the system is ensured based on some braking theories. Thirdly,the appropriate dynamic simulations are done to get some results to show the relations of different parameters and the effect of braking. Eventually,the proper parameters are determined to build a test bench which shows that DEHB system can achieve the maximum pressure of 13 MPa within 100 ms after parametric optimization,and meanwhile,the actuator is able to reduce pressure quickly after maintaining high pressure. All of the bench test results can meet with the design requirements and real demand of vehicle and this actuator may improve vehicle braking effect in the future. Besides,this actuator can be widely applied to the regenerative braking system because of its linear braking performance.

Actuation Mechanism of Two-step Reverse Transformation Behavior in TiNi Alloys Deformed at Parent Phase

The actuation mechanism of TiNi shape memory alloy wires, which were deformed at parent phase followed by a cooling process under constant strain constraint, was investigated. The experimental results show that the two-step reverse martensitic transformation behavior occurs during the heating process, and the temperature range of reverse transformation was obviously widened with the increasing of prestrain. The recovery strain vs temperature curves exhibits an actuation characteristic of linear output recovery strain in a wide temperature range.

A Hand Prosthesis with an Under-Actuated and Self-Adaptive Finger Mechanism

One of the major problems faced by hand amputees is the unavailability of a lightweight and powered multi-functional hand prosthesis. Under-actuated finger designs play a key role to make the hand prosthesis lightweight. In this paper, a hand prosthesis with an under-actuated and self-adaptive finger mechanism is proposed. The proposed finger is capable to generate passively different flexion/extension angles for a proximal interphalangeal (PIP) joint and a distal interphalangeal (DIP) joint for each flexion angle of metacarpophalangeal (MCP) joint. In addition, DIP joint is capable to generate different angles for the same angle of PIP joint. Hand prosthesis is built on the proposed finger mechanism. The hand prosthesis enables user to grasp objects with various geometries by performing five grasping patterns. Thumb of the hand prosthesis includes opposition/apposition in addition to flexion/extension of MCP and interphalangeal (IP) joint. Kinematic analysis of the proposed finger has been carried out to verify the movable range of the joints. Simulations and experiments are carried out to verify the effectiveness of the proposed finger mechanism and the hand prosthesis.

Design of a Novel Robotic Fish Structure Utilizing PVC Gel Actuators

In this research work, it has been designed a bionic robot fish structure, can swim underwater. The active compact body is powered by eight sets of symmetric PVC gel actuators with a caudal fin. The robot’s 200 mm-long, fish structure design incorporates a 55.52 angle to optimize the fish dynamics movement. It’s a fast and smooth operation and can swim. The robot can swim fast and quietly by using the right positions and the appropriate actuators on PVC gel actuators. This design entails a unique architecture that enables the robot to move safely and unobtrusively at the same time, which makes it suitable equipment for different exploration and surveillance missions in the water with speed and silent operation as the foremost concern.

An Electro-Hydraulic Actuator for the TVC of a Throttlable Kerolox Rocket Engine

An electro-hydraulic actuator for the thrust vector control(TVC)of a throttlable kerolox rocket engine is introduced in this paper.The creative feature is an integrated hydraulic power drive unit,where a constant speed kerosene motor is used to draw high pressure kerosene from the engine and to drive a constant pressure variable displacement piston pump,acting as the power supply for the actuator.Its operational mechanism,to accommodate the varying pressure from the turbo-pump of a throttling engine,lies in a pressure-reducing flow regulator inserted at the motor inlet.Another key point is that the displacement of the motor is reasonably bigger than the pump so that a sufficiently wide range of pressures can be adapted.Modeling analysis and flight test results were well matched,which show the outstanding performance of this novel type actuator.

Design of a Servo Mechanical Press with Redundant Actuation

A servo press is a new type of mechanical press that is driven by programmable motors and offers superior performance such as low noise, excellent efficiency and high precision for metal forming operations. Similar to multi-link mechanical presses, a servo mechanical press tends to grow in size as the tonnage increases that calls for larger, heavy duty servo motors, which could be expensive and may not even be available. In this paper, a new concept of servo mechanical press with redundant actuation is proposed firstly using two servo motors driving one input shaft, i.e. one-point-two-motor mode that makes it possible to produce a larger press with available servomotors. Then the punching mechanism design is detailed. The performance indices are set up including mechanical advantage reciprocal and link force ratios. A bounded feasible solution space is constructed for dimensional synthesis based on non-dimensional link lengths and assembly conditions. The performance atlases are depicted over the bounded feasible solution space that lead to a visual solution of the punching mechanism with global optimization. Finally, case studies are given to illustrate the design method with visual global optimization, and a prototype with 200 t punching force is being developed in our laboratory to demonstrate efficacy of the new concept for servo mechanical press. The presented research provides a feasible solution to the development of heavy-duty servo mechanical presses and finds potential applications in the development of other types of heavy equipments with electric drive.

New Method to Improve Dynamic Stiffness of Electro-hydraulic Servo Systems

Most current researches working on improving stiffness focus on the application of control theories.But controller in closed-loop hydraulic control system takes effect only after the controlled position is deviated,so the control action is lagged.Thus dynamic performance against force disturbance and dynamic load stiffness can’t be improved evidently by advanced control algorithms.In this paper,the elementary principle of maintaining piston position unchanged under sudden external force load change by charging additional oil is analyzed.On this basis,the conception of raising dynamic stiffness of electro hydraulic position servo system by flow feedforward compensation is put forward.And a scheme using double servo valves to realize flow feedforward compensation is presented,in which another fast response servo valve is added to the regular electro hydraulic servo system and specially utilized to compensate the compressed oil volume caused by load impact in time.The two valves are arranged in parallel to control the cylinder jointly.Furthermore,the model of flow compensation is derived,by which the product of the amplitude and width of the valve’s pulse command signal can be calculated.And determination rules of the amplitude and width of pulse signal are concluded by analysis and simulations.Using the proposed scheme,simulations and experiments at different positions with different force changes are conducted.The simulation and experimental results show that the system dynamic performance against load force impact is largely improved with decreased maximal dynamic position deviation and shortened settling time.That is,system dynamic load stiffness is evidently raised.This paper proposes a new method which can effectively improve the dynamic stiffness of electro-hydraulic servo systems.

Global Dynamic Modeling of Electro-Hydraulic 3-UPS/S Parallel Stabilized Platform by Bond Graph

Dynamic modeling of a parallel manipulator（PM） is an important issue. A complete PM system is actually composed of multiple physical domains. As PMs are widely used in various fields, the importance of modeling the global dynamic model of the PM system becomes increasingly prominent. Currently there lacks further research in global dynamic modeling. A unified modeling approach for the multi-energy domains PM system is proposed based on bond graph and a global dynamic model of the 3-UPS/S parallel stabilized platform involving mechanical and electrical-hydraulic elements is built. Firstly, the screw bond graph theory is improved based on the screw theory, the modular joint model is modeled and the normalized dynamic model of the mechanism is established. Secondly, combined with the electro-hydraulic servo system model built by traditional bond graph, the global dynamic model of the system is obtained, and then the motion, force and power of any element can be obtained directly. Lastly, the experiments and simulations of the driving forces, pressure and flow are performed, and the results show that, the theoretical calculation results of the driving forces are in accord with the experimental ones, and the pressure and flow of the first limb and the third limb are symmetry with each other. The results are reasonable and verify the correctness and effectiveness of the model and the method. The proposed dynamic modeling method provides a reference for modeling of other multi-energy domains system which contains complex PM.

Bio-inspired Actuating System for Swimming Using Shape Memory Alloy Composites

The paper addresses the designs of a caudal peduncle actuator, which is able to furnish a thrust for swimming of a robotic fish. The caudal peduncle actuator is based on concepts of ferromagnetic shape memory alloy （FSMA） composite and hybrid mechanism that can provide a fast response and a strong thrust. The caudal peduncle actuator was inspired by Scomber Scombrus which utilises thunniform mode swimming, which is the most efficient locomotion mode evolved in the aquatic environment, where the thrust is generated by the lift-based method, allowing high cruising speeds to be maintained for a long period of time. The morphology of an average size Scomber Scombrus （length in 310 mm） was investigated, and a 1：1 scale caudal peduncle actuator prototype was modelled and fabricated. The propulsive wave characteristics of the fish at steady speeds were employed as initial design objectives. Some key design parameters are investigated, i.e. aspect ratio （AR） （AR = 3.49）, Reynolds number （Re = 429 649）, reduced frequency （σ = 1.03）, Strouhal number （St = 0.306） and the maximum strain of the bent tail was estimated at ε = 1.11% which is in the range of superelasticity. The experimental test of the actuator was carried out in a water tank. By applying 7 V and 2.5 A, the actuator can reach the tip-to-tip rotational angle of 85° at 4 Hz.

Rate-Dependent Hysteresis Modeling and Compensation of Piezo-Driven Flexure-Based Mechanism

Updating parameters according to the driving rate of input, the rate-dependent Prandtl-Ishlinskii （PI） model is widely used in hysteresis modeling and compensation. In order to improve the modeling accuracy, two PI models identified at low and high driving rates separately are incorporated through a combination law. For the piezo- driven flexure-based mechanism, the very low damping ratio makes it easy to excite the structural vibration. As a re- suit, the measured hysteresis loop is greatly distorted and the modeling accuracy of the identified P1 model is signifi- cantly affected. In this paper, a novel time-efficient parameter identification method which utilizes the superimposed sinusoidal signals as the control input is proposed. This method effectively avoids the excitation of the structural vibra- tion. In addition, as the driving rate of the superimposed sinusoidal signals covers a wide range, all the coefficients required for modeling the rate-dependence can be identified through only one set of experimental data. Hysteresis modeling and trajectory tracking experiments were performed on a 2-DOF piezo-driven flexure-based mechanism. The experimental results show that the combined hysteresis model maintains the modeling accuracy over the entire work- ing range of the flexure-based mechanism. The mechanism＇s hysteresis is significantly suppressed by the use of the inverse PI model as the feedforward controller; and better result is achieved when a feedback loop is also incorporated. The tracking performance of the flexure-based mechanism is greatly improved.