Sliding mode based piezoelectric actuator control

In this paper a control of method for a piezoelectric stack actuator control is proposed. In addition briefly the usage of the same methods for estimation of external force acting to the actuator in contact with environment is discussed. The method uses sliding mode framework to design both the observer and the controller based on an electromechanical lumped model of the piezoelectric actuator. Furthermore, using a nonlinear differential equation the internal hysteresis disturbance is removed from the total disturbance in an attempt to estimate the external force acting on the actuator. It is then possible to use this external force estimate as a means of force control of the actuator. Simulation and experiments are compared for validating the disturbance and external force estimation technique. Some experiments that incorporate disturbance compensation in a closed-loop SMC control algorithm are also presented to prove the effectiveness of this method in producing high precision motion

A review of convex approaches for control, observation and safety of linear parameter varying and Takagi-Sugeno systems

This paper provides a review about the concept of convex systems based on Takagi-Sugeno, linear parameter varying (LPV) and quasi-LPV modeling. These paradigms are capable of hiding the nonlinearities by means of an equivalent description which uses a set of linear models interpolated by appropriately defined weighing functions. Convex systems have become very popular since they allow applying extended linear techniques based on linear matrix inequalities (LMIs) to complex nonlinear systems. This survey aims at providing the reader with a significant overview of the existing LMI-based techniques for convex systems in the fields of control, observation and safety. Firstly, a detailed review of stability, feedback, tracking and model predictive control (MPC) convex controllers is considered. Secondly, the problem of state estimation is addressed through the design of proportional, proportional-integral, unknown input and descriptor observers. Finally, safety of convex systems is discussed by describing popular techniques for fault diagnosis and fault tolerant control (FTC).Peer ReviewedPostprint (published version

Energy-efficient control of pump units based on neural-network parameter observer

An observer based on an artificial neural network was designed. The observer determines the pumping unit performance depending on the operating point. Determination is based on the measured technological coordinates of the system and the pressure of the turbomechanism. Three neural networks were designed for three types of the productivity observer. The developed observer was investigated by the simulation method within different variations of disturbing actions, such as hydraulic resistance of the hydraulic system and geodetic pressure. A comparative analysis of three types of the productivity observer, built with using the pressure and different signals of the system with arbitrary change of hydraulic resistance was given. By the use of the pump unit efficiency observer, in addition to the results presented earlier, the efficiency of the productivity observer, which built with using different sensors, in water supply systems with two series-connected pump units, operating for filling the large tank, is researched. In the water supply system one pump speed is regulated, the other is unregulated. References 14, figures 5

Nonlinear Sliding Mode Observer Applied to Microalgae Growth

Modeling biological processes, such as algae growth, is an area of ongoing research. The ability to understand the multitude of parameters that influence this system provides a platform for better understanding the dynamics of microalgae growth. Empirical modeling efforts look to understand sources of driving nutrients that influence harmful algal blooms (HABs). These harmful algal blooms are dense aggregates that have an increasingly negative impact on local economics, marine and freshwater systems, and public health. They result from a high influx of nitrogen and nutrients that drive the algae biomass to exponentially grow. This growth blocks out the sun, potentially releases dangerous toxins, and suffocates marine life, damaging ecosystems, especially in Florida. Modeling microalgae behavior and growth is complex due to its nonlinear behavior and coupled variables. Recently, cultivating oleaginous microalgae for biofuel production has been another region of ongoing research, especially application of observer theory to estimate internal parameters that are not easily measured in algal systems. Linear observer theory has generally been applied to algae growth systems to estimate internal parameters that are beyond hardware sensor capabilities, but they are still severely limited. Nonlinear observer theory application to biological systems is still relatively new. This thesis explores the application of a nonlinear observer based off sliding mode to an algae system. Sliding mode is derived from modern control theory and is based off variable structure control. An algae system is modeled using the widely accepted Droop model for algae growth and a linear and nonlinear sliding mode observer is developed for the system to estimate internal nitrogen within the algae biomass

Active actuator fault-tolerant control of a wind turbine benchmark model

This paper describes the design of an active fault-tolerant control scheme that is applied to the actuator of a wind turbine benchmark. The methodology is based on adaptive filters obtained via the nonlinear geometric approach, which allows to obtain interesting decoupling property with respect to uncertainty affecting the wind turbine system. The controller accommodation scheme exploits the on-line estimate of the actuator fault signal generated by the adaptive filters. The nonlinearity of the wind turbine model is described by the mapping to the power conversion ratio from tip-speed ratio and blade pitch angles. This mapping represents the aerodynamic uncertainty, and usually is not known in analytical form, but in general represented by approximated two-dimensional maps (i.e. look-up tables). Therefore, this paper suggests a scheme to estimate this power conversion ratio in an analytical form by means of a two-dimensional polynomial, which is subsequently used for designing the active fault-tolerant control scheme. The wind turbine power generating unit of a grid is considered as a benchmark to show the design procedure, including the aspects of the nonlinear disturbance decoupling method, as well as the viability of the proposed approach. Extensive simulations of the benchmark process are practical tools for assessing experimentally the features of the developed actuator fault-tolerant control scheme, in the presence of modelling and measurement errors. Comparisons with different fault-tolerant schemes serve to highlight the advantages and drawbacks of the proposed methodology

On sliding mode and adaptive observers design for multicell converter

International audienceIn this paper, a sliding mode and adaptive observers are proposed for multicell converter. The aim is to solve the problem of capacitor's voltages estimation by tacking account the hybrid behavior appearing in the multicell converters. Furthermore, an analysis of convergence for both observers is introduced. Finally some illustrative results of a 3-cell-converter are given in order to show the efficiency of the designed observers. The applicability of the designed observers are emphasized by the robustness test with respect to resistance load variation

Tyre curve estimation in slip-controlled braking

Progress in reducing actuator delays in pneumatic brake systems creates an opportunity for advanced anti-lock braking algorithms to be used on heavy goods vehicles. However, these algorithms require knowledge of variables that are impractical to measure directly. This paper introduces a braking force observer and road surface identification algorithms to support a sliding-mode slip controller for air-braked heavy vehicles. Both the force observer and the slip controller are shown to operate robustly under a variety of conditions in quarter-car simulations. A non-linear least-squares algorithm was found to be capable of performing regressions on all the parameters of the tyre model from the University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute when used ‘in the loop’ with the controller and the observer. A recursive least-squares algorithm that is less computationally expensive than the non-linear algorithm was also investigated but gave only reasonable estimates of the tyre model parameters on high-friction smooth roads. The authors would like to thank the members of the Cambridge Vehicle Dynamics Consortium (CVDC), and the Gates Cambridge Trust for their parts in funding this work.This is the author accepted manuscript. The final version is available from Sage via http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/095440701558593