Efficient control of servo pneumatic actuator system utilizing by-pass valve and digital sliding mode

Abstract

The issue of energy saving nowadays is very crucial. Pneumatic systems, constituting an important segment of almost every industry, represent large energy consumers. Also, a significant problem with servo pneumatic actuators is achieving accuracy in positioning. The higher the positioning accuracy, the higher the compressed air consumption is. This paper presents a new solution of the positioning control algorithm which unifies digital control of variable structure and sliding working mode and inter chamber cross-flow. The experiments demonstrated that this control algorithm provides a satisfactory positioning accuracy and robustness of the system, simultaneously reducing compressed air consumption by as much as 29.5%. © 2013 Indian Academy of Sciences.