Title: Finite-time convergent continuous control design based on sliding mode algorithms with application to a hydraulic drive

Authors: Lasse Schmidt; Torben Ole Andersen; Henrik C. Pedersen

Addresses: Department of Application Engineering, Bosch Rexroth A/S, DK-8940 Randers, Denmark ' Department of Energy Technology, Aalborg University, DK-9220 Aalborg, Denmark ' Department of Energy Technology, Aalborg University, DK-9220 Aalborg, Denmark

Abstract: Sliding modes impose strong robustness toward parametric plant uncertainties and disturbances and provide for accurate tracking performance in control systems. However, in physical systems the application of sliding modes may give rise to undesirable chattering of the control signal due to actuator dynamics, possible excitation of unmodelled dynamics and structural resonant modes of load systems, etc. This may be avoided by application of smoothing functions imposing boundary layers on the control constraint, or by carrying out the design in relation to the control derivative. However, such boundary layers introduce additional design parameters and actuator dynamics may not allow the desired control accuracy to be reached. In this paper continuous controllers are proposed, with the designs taking their offset in some well-known sliding controllers. The proposed controllers preserve the finite-time convergence properties known from sliding control while at the same time avoiding control chattering, however, on the cost of robustness. Experimental results confirm the announced properties when applied to a hydraulic valve-cylinder drive, and demonstrates superior performance over conventional linear controllers.

Keywords: finite-time convergence; nonlinear control; electro-hydraulic systems; sliding mode control; SMC; continuous controllers; hydraulic drives.

DOI: 10.1504/IJMA.2014.064100

International Journal of Mechatronics and Automation, 2014 Vol.4 No.3, pp.188 - 199

Received: 14 Oct 2013
Accepted: 16 Feb 2014
Published online: 04 Sep 2014 *

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