Digital Hydraulics

program funded by the European Union by means of the European Regional Development Fund

Description

Digital Hydraulics is a research project concerned with systems controlled by active discrete hydraulic elements and sub-systems. The use of discrete elements such as a set of switching valves instead of a single servo valve characterizes digital hydraulics as a new research area with numerous challenges regarding dynamic behavior and control design. Special focus lies on digital hydraulic systems that show advantages over conventional systems regarding energy efficiency, cost efficiency or robustness.

The main goal of this project is a fundamental analysis of selected digital fluid power systems using tools and methods from system theory and control engineering. The findings of this research are intended to help localizing and evaluating possible fields of industrial applications for digital hydraulics. The project aims to provide a theoretical and methodological knowledge that will serve as a basis for development of competitive digital hydraulic components and systems.

Publications

C. Stauch, J. Rudolph, Control-oriented modelling and development of a model-based switching algorithm for a digital hydraulic independent metering cylinder drive, Proc. IME J. Syst. Contr. Eng., first published on February 23, 2016. DOI

C. Stauch, J. Rudolph, Energy Saving Using a Multi-Chamber Accumulator: Experimental Results and Proof of Concept, in: Proc. 14th Scandinavian International Conference on Fluid Power, SICFP15, Tampere, Finland, May 19-22, 2015.

C. Stauch, J. Rudolph, and F. Schulz, Some Aspects of Modelling, Dimensioning, and Control of Digital Flow Control Units, in: Proc. 7th Workshop on Digital Fluid Power, DFP15, Linz, Austria, February 26-27, 2015, pp. 101-113, 2015.

C. Stauch and J. Rudolph, Flatness Based Control for a Digital Hydraulic System, in: Proc. 9th International Fluid Power Conference, Aachen, Germany, March 24-26, 2014, pp. 466-477, 2014.

C. Stauch, F. Schulz, P. Bruck, and J. Rudolph, Energy Recovery Using a Digital Piston-Type Accumulator, in: Proc. 5th Workshop on Digital Fluid Power, DFP12, Tampere, Finland, October 24-25, 2012, pp. 57-73, 2012.

Contact Person

Dipl.-Ing. C. Stauch (ZeMA)