Abstract
This paper is concerned with the application of switching technology to hydraulic actuation. Classical proportional flow control employing servo/proportional valves is
dissipative and inefficient. By analogy it can be seen as the equivalent of resistive (rheostatic) motor control.
In mobile outdoor robotic applications where high power density, ruggedness and reliability are key requirements, the low efficiency of proportional control can be a limitation and it is necessary to go beyond the paradigm of proportional flow/pressure control.
One response to this challenge is to revisit traditional on-off hydraulic technology and develop systems and devices that behave in analogous manner to their power electronic
counterparts. A prototype hydraulic switching converter, inspired by the electric DC-DC Buck converter, is presented. Its design, sizing and performance relative to a classical proportional valve-controlled system are assessed in the different operation modes. Pros
and cons of the current design are identified.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Title of host publication | Proc. Bath/ ASME Symposium on Fluid Power and Motion Control - FPMC2010, September 15-17, 2010, Bath, UK |
| Pages | 56-68 |
| Number of pages | 13 |
| Publication status | Published - Sept 2010 |
Fields of science
- 203013 Mechanical engineering
- 203 Mechanical Engineering
- 203015 Mechatronics
- 102009 Computer simulation
JKU Focus areas
- Mechatronics and Information Processing