Modelling and control of position and velocity drives subject to friction

Performance degradation in most mechanical systems with friction which are not easily eliminated through design mechanisms can be greatly reduced within acceptable limits through the process of friction compensation. Generally friction compensators are used to improve system performance in terms of error reduction, transient response, thereby countering the effects of friction. Model-based techniques for friction compensation require an accurate model of the system friction. This is very important for high precision mechanical systems where excellent positioning and motion tracking, especially in the low velocities, is critical. This thesis proposes a new integrated friction model structure capable of modelling known friction dynamics. The new friction model incorporates a pre-sliding friction function with non-local hysteretic features. Analysis of the model shows the model to possess dissipative, boundedness, passivity and uniqueness properties. Results of sensitivity and robustness analysis indicate the new friction model is robust to parameter variations. A friction characterisation test-bed was designed and constructed for the purposes of friction identification, compensation and control. A set of experiments were designed and implemented on the test rig/bed to demonstrate friction dynamics. The input- output results of the experiments were used for parameter estimation of the proposed new friction model and some other relevant friction model structures. The performance of the new friction model for position and velocity control was studied using the experimental friction test-bed and simulations. The result of such analysis underscores the advantage of integrating a friction observer in the system control loop. The new friction model provided better position and velocity control of the experimental friction test-rig when compared with other well known models of friction

Mehatronički pristup pozicioniranju ultravisokih preciznosti i točnosti

Ultra-high precision mechatronics positioning systems are critical devices in current precision engineering and micro- and nano-systems’ technologies, as they allow repeatability and accuracy in the nanometric domain to be achieved. The doctoral thesis deals thoroughly with nonlinear stochastic frictional effects that limit the performances of ultra-high precision devices based on sliding and rolling elements. The state-of-the-art related to the frictional behavior in the pre-sliding and sliding motion regimes is considered and different friction models are validated. Due to its comprehensiveness and simplicity, the generalized Maxwell-slip (GMS) friction model is adopted to characterize frictional disturbances of a translational axis of an actual multi-degrees-of-freedom point-to-point mechatronics positioning system aimed at handling and positioning of microparts. The parameters of the GMS model are identified via innovative experimental set-ups, separately for the actuator-gearhead assembly and for the linear guideways, and included in the overall MATLAB/SIMULINK model of the used device. With the aim of compensating frictional effects, the modeled responses of the system are compared to experimental results when the system is controlled by means of a conventional proportional-integral-derivative (PID) controller, when the PID controller is complemented with an additional feed-forward model-based friction compensator and, finally, when the system is controlled via a self-tuning adaptive regulator. The adaptive regulator, implemented within the real-time field programmable gate array based control system, is proven to be the most efficient and is hence used in the final repetitive point-to-point positioning tests. Nanometric-range precision and accuracy (better than 250 nm), both in the case of short-range (micrometric) and long-range (millimeter) travels, are achieved. Different sensors, actuators and other design components, along with other control typologies, are experimentally validated in ultra-high precision positioning applications as well.Mehatronički sustavi ultra-visokih (nanometarskih) preciznosti i točnosti pozicioniranja su u današnje vrijeme vrlo važni u preciznom inženjerstvu i tehnologiji mikro- i nano-sustava. U disertaciji se temeljito analiziraju nelinearni stohastički učinci trenja koji vrlo često ograničavaju radna svojstva sustava za precizno pozicioniranje temeljenih na kliznim i valjnim elementima. Analizira se stanje tehnike za pomake pri silama manjim od sile statičkog trenja, kao i u režimu klizanja, te se vrednuju postojeći matematički modeli trenja. U razmatranom slučaju mehatroničkog sustava ultra-visokih preciznosti i točnosti pozicioniranja, namijenjenog montaži i manipulaciji mikrostruktura, trenje koje se javlja kod linearnih jednoosnih pomaka se, zbog jednostavnosti i sveobuhvatnosti toga pristupa, modelira generaliziranim Maxwell-slip (GMS) modelom trenja. Parametri GMS modela se identificiraju na inovativnim eksperimentalnim postavima, i to posebno za pokretački dio analiziranog sustava, koji se sastoji od istosmjernog motora s reduktorom, te posebno za linearni translator. Rezultirajući modeli trenja se zatim integriraju u cjeloviti model sustava implementiran u MATLAB/SIMULINK okruženju. S ciljem minimizacije utjecaja trenja, modelirani odziv sustava uspoređuje se potom s eksperimentalnim rezultatima dobivenim na sustavu reguliranom pomoću često korištenog proporcionalno-integralno-diferencijalnog (PID) regulatora, kada se sustav regulira po načelu unaprijedne veze, te kada se regulira prilagodljivim upravljačkim algoritmom. Regulator s prilagodljivim vođenjem, implementiran unutar stvarno-vremenskog sustava temeljenog na programibilnim logičkim vratima, pokazao se kao najbolje rješenje te se stoga koristi u uzastopnim eksperimentima pozicioniranja iz točke u točku, koji predstavljaju željenu funkcionalnost razmatranog sustava. Postignute su tako nanometarska preciznost i točnost (bolje od 250 nm) i to kako kod kraćih (mikrometarskih), tako i duljih (milimetarskih) pomaka. U završnom se dijelu disertacije eksperimentalno analizira i mogućnost korištenja drugih pokretača, osjetnika i strojnih elemenata kao i različitih upravljačkih pristupa pogodnih za ostvarivanje ultra-visokih preciznosti i točnosti pozicioniranja

Mehatronički pristup pozicioniranju ultravisokih preciznosti i točnosti

Ultra-high precision mechatronics positioning systems are critical devices in current precision engineering and micro- and nano-systems’ technologies, as they allow repeatability and accuracy in the nanometric domain to be achieved. The doctoral thesis deals thoroughly with nonlinear stochastic frictional effects that limit the performances of ultra-high precision devices based on sliding and rolling elements. The state-of-the-art related to the frictional behavior in the pre-sliding and sliding motion regimes is considered and different friction models are validated. Due to its comprehensiveness and simplicity, the generalized Maxwell-slip (GMS) friction model is adopted to characterize frictional disturbances of a translational axis of an actual multi-degrees-of-freedom point-to-point mechatronics positioning system aimed at handling and positioning of microparts. The parameters of the GMS model are identified via innovative experimental set-ups, separately for the actuator-gearhead assembly and for the linear guideways, and included in the overall MATLAB/SIMULINK model of the used device. With the aim of compensating frictional effects, the modeled responses of the system are compared to experimental results when the system is controlled by means of a conventional proportional-integral-derivative (PID) controller, when the PID controller is complemented with an additional feed-forward model-based friction compensator and, finally, when the system is controlled via a self-tuning adaptive regulator. The adaptive regulator, implemented within the real-time field programmable gate array based control system, is proven to be the most efficient and is hence used in the final repetitive point-to-point positioning tests. Nanometric-range precision and accuracy (better than 250 nm), both in the case of short-range (micrometric) and long-range (millimeter) travels, are achieved. Different sensors, actuators and other design components, along with other control typologies, are experimentally validated in ultra-high precision positioning applications as well.Mehatronički sustavi ultra-visokih (nanometarskih) preciznosti i točnosti pozicioniranja su u današnje vrijeme vrlo važni u preciznom inženjerstvu i tehnologiji mikro- i nano-sustava. U disertaciji se temeljito analiziraju nelinearni stohastički učinci trenja koji vrlo često ograničavaju radna svojstva sustava za precizno pozicioniranje temeljenih na kliznim i valjnim elementima. Analizira se stanje tehnike za pomake pri silama manjim od sile statičkog trenja, kao i u režimu klizanja, te se vrednuju postojeći matematički modeli trenja. U razmatranom slučaju mehatroničkog sustava ultra-visokih preciznosti i točnosti pozicioniranja, namijenjenog montaži i manipulaciji mikrostruktura, trenje koje se javlja kod linearnih jednoosnih pomaka se, zbog jednostavnosti i sveobuhvatnosti toga pristupa, modelira generaliziranim Maxwell-slip (GMS) modelom trenja. Parametri GMS modela se identificiraju na inovativnim eksperimentalnim postavima, i to posebno za pokretački dio analiziranog sustava, koji se sastoji od istosmjernog motora s reduktorom, te posebno za linearni translator. Rezultirajući modeli trenja se zatim integriraju u cjeloviti model sustava implementiran u MATLAB/SIMULINK okruženju. S ciljem minimizacije utjecaja trenja, modelirani odziv sustava uspoređuje se potom s eksperimentalnim rezultatima dobivenim na sustavu reguliranom pomoću često korištenog proporcionalno-integralno-diferencijalnog (PID) regulatora, kada se sustav regulira po načelu unaprijedne veze, te kada se regulira prilagodljivim upravljačkim algoritmom. Regulator s prilagodljivim vođenjem, implementiran unutar stvarno-vremenskog sustava temeljenog na programibilnim logičkim vratima, pokazao se kao najbolje rješenje te se stoga koristi u uzastopnim eksperimentima pozicioniranja iz točke u točku, koji predstavljaju željenu funkcionalnost razmatranog sustava. Postignute su tako nanometarska preciznost i točnost (bolje od 250 nm) i to kako kod kraćih (mikrometarskih), tako i duljih (milimetarskih) pomaka. U završnom se dijelu disertacije eksperimentalno analizira i mogućnost korištenja drugih pokretača, osjetnika i strojnih elemenata kao i različitih upravljačkih pristupa pogodnih za ostvarivanje ultra-visokih preciznosti i točnosti pozicioniranja

Review On Controller Design In Pneumatic Actuator Drive System

A pneumatic actuator is a device that converts compressed air into mechanical energy to perform varieties of work. It exhibits high nonlinearities due to high friction forces, compressibility of air and dead band of the spool movement which is difficult to manage and requires an appropriate controller for better performance. The purpose of this study is to review the controller design of pneumatic actuator recommended by previous researchers from the past years. Initially, the basic views of the pneumatic will be presented in terms of introduction to the pneumatic actuator and its applications in industries. At the end of this review, discussions on the design of the controllers will be concluded and further research will be proposed along with the improvement of control strategies in the pneumatic actuator systems

Modeling, control and simulation of control-affine nonlinear systems with state-dependent transfer functions

There has been no known research that applies nonlinear transfer function to a nonlinear control problem. The belief is that nonlinear systems have no transfer functions. The Laplace transformation required to define transfer functions is not tractable mathematically when the coefficients of the differential equation are functions of state, output and control variables. In other words, it is not defined for systems that do not obey principles of superposition. Only linear systems obey this principle. Therefore, this dissertation work represents the very first research to demonstrate how transfer functions can be used to represent and design feedback control for nonlinear systems. Real systems are inherently nonlinear. A few important examples include an aerospace vehicle whose mass parameter is variable because of fuel consumption, artificial pancreas and HIV drug delivery systems in the bio-medical field, robot arm and magnetic levitation systems in the mechanical engineering field and phase-locked-loop in the electrical engineering field. The subject of nonlinear system control, however, is more of an art than science. There is no unified framework for analysis and design. Success of a design usually depends on a designer’s experience. All the theory and design tools available, e.g., the whole subject of linear algebra, are based on systems described with linear models, which obey the principle of superposition. Control system design by linearization, which is based on approximated linear time invariant (LTI) system design model, is the closest to a general design framework available for nonlinear systems. The most important problem in a control system designed by linearization is the problem of design model parameter variation during its operation. Obviously, this problem is the result of assuming a constant parameter or LTI design model for a real system that is actually nonlinear or has variable parameter model. In other words, a real system does not have constant parameters as approximated by its LTI design model. This problem is important enough to have specific design methods such as robust control and Horowitz quantitative feedback theory developed to address it. As the system is operated further and further out of the approximate linear range this problem gets worst. Furthermore, the controller based on design by linearization is not a tracking controller. It is a regulator that usually cannot track a varying reference input. Investigated in the research presented in this dissertation is a nonlinear transfer function-based control method, i.e., one based on a model represented with varying parameters therefore a natural solution to the model parameter variation problem of design by linearization. The class of applicable nonlinear and time-varying systems are those that are affine in their control input such that they can be described by the central concept of this scheme, a state-dependent transfer function (SDTF). The introduction of this concept of nonlinear transfer function design model and the feedback control scheme based on it are the contributions of the research presented in this dissertation

Modeling of precision motion control systems: a relay feedback approach

Ph.DDOCTOR OF PHILOSOPH

Bio-inspired robotic control in underactuation: principles for energy efficacy, dynamic compliance interactions and adaptability.

Biological systems achieve energy efficient and adaptive behaviours through extensive autologous and exogenous compliant interactions. Active dynamic compliances are created and enhanced from musculoskeletal system (joint-space) to external environment (task-space) amongst the underactuated motions. Underactuated systems with viscoelastic property are similar to these biological systems, in that their self-organisation and overall tasks must be achieved by coordinating the subsystems and dynamically interacting with the environment. One important question to raise is: How can we design control systems to achieve efficient locomotion, while adapt to dynamic conditions as the living systems do? In this thesis, a trajectory planning algorithm is developed for underactuated microrobotic systems with bio-inspired self-propulsion and viscoelastic property to achieve synchronized motion in an energy efficient, adaptive and analysable manner. The geometry of the state space of the systems is explicitly utilized, such that a synchronization of the generalized coordinates is achieved in terms of geometric relations along the desired motion trajectory. As a result, the internal dynamics complexity is sufficiently reduced, the dynamic couplings are explicitly characterised, and then the underactuated dynamics are projected onto a hyper-manifold. Following such a reduction and characterization, we arrive at mappings of system compliance and integrable second-order dynamics with the passive degrees of freedom. As such, the issue of trajectory planning is converted into convenient nonlinear geometric analysis and optimal trajectory parameterization. Solutions of the reduced dynamics and the geometric relations can be obtained through an optimal motion trajectory generator. Theoretical background of the proposed approach is presented with rigorous analysis and developed in detail for a particular example. Experimental studies are conducted to verify the effectiveness of the proposed method. Towards compliance interactions with the environment, accurate modelling or prediction of nonlinear friction forces is a nontrivial whilst challenging task. Frictional instabilities are typically required to be eliminated or compensated through efficiently designed controllers. In this work, a prediction and analysis framework is designed for the self-propelled vibro-driven system, whose locomotion greatly relies on the dynamic interactions with the nonlinear frictions. This thesis proposes a combined physics-based and analytical-based approach, in a manner that non-reversible characteristic for static friction, presliding as well as pure sliding regimes are revealed, and the frictional limit boundaries are identified. Nonlinear dynamic analysis and simulation results demonstrate good captions of experimentally observed frictional characteristics, quenching of friction-induced vibrations and satisfaction of energy requirements. The thesis also performs elaborative studies on trajectory tracking. Control schemes are designed and extended for a class of underactuated systems with concrete considerations on uncertainties and disturbances. They include a collocated partial feedback control scheme, and an adaptive variable structure control scheme with an elaborately designed auxiliary control variable. Generically, adaptive control schemes using neural networks are designed to ensure trajectory tracking. Theoretical background of these methods is presented with rigorous analysis and developed in detail for particular examples. The schemes promote the utilization of linear filters in the control input to improve the system robustness. Asymptotic stability and convergence of time-varying reference trajectories for the system dynamics are shown by means of Lyapunov synthesis

Drivability enhancement and transient emission reduction for a mild hybrid diesel-electric truck

This paper deals with modelling and control methodologies applied to a heavy truck equipped with a parallel hybrid electric drivetrain. The actuator redundancy, typical of the mild-hybrid vehicle configuration, allows the powertrain control system to enhance the vehicle drivability, in terms of smooth driving and promptness, while reducing transient diesel engine emissions, in comparison with conventional pure thermal engine vehicles. The electric motor, characterised by a high-bandwidth torque control, is here utilised not only to dampen the driveline oscillations that arise during rapid torque transients, e.g., when the driver accelerates the vehicle at full load in low gears, but also to keep the engine working with slow torque gradients, as required by transient emission reduction strategies. The driveline is modelled by lumped parameters, considering also the damping effects of the tyres. A detailed non-linear model is used as reference for the performance comparison of different simplified linear models. The best linear model is selected and used for the design of a LQR-based closed-loop controller aiming at reducing the driveline torsional vibrations. The regulation task (active vibration damping) is separated from the distribution task (torque splitting between the two motors

Advanced Control and Estimation Concepts, and New Hardware Topologies for Future Mobility

According to the National Research Council, the use of embedded systems throughout society could well overtake previous milestones in the information revolution. Mechatronics is the synergistic combination of electronic, mechanical engineering, controls, software and systems engineering in the design of processes and products. Mechatronic systems put “intelligence” into physical systems. Embedded sensors/actuators/processors are integral parts of mechatronic systems. The implementation of mechatronic systems is consistently on the rise. However, manufacturers are working hard to reduce the implementation cost of these systems while trying avoid compromising product quality. One way of addressing these conflicting objectives is through new automatic control methods, virtual sensing/estimation, and new innovative hardware topologies