Position control of an ER valve bridge-cylinder system via neural network

신경제어기법을 이용한 ER 밸브 브리지-실린더 시스템의 위치제어

This paper presents the position control of a double-rod cylinder system activated by an electrotheological(ER) valve unit. Following the composition of a silicone oil-based ER fluid, theological properties of the ER fluid are experimentally tested as a function of imposed electric fields to determine appropriate design parameters of the ER valve. The ER valves are then designed and manufactured. Subsequently, the pressure drop of the ER valve is evaluated with respect to the intensity of the electric field. Four ER valves bridge-cylinder system is formulated, and the governing equations for the system are derived. A neural network control scheme is then synthesized to perform the position control of the cylinder system. Tracking control responses are experimentally evaluated and presented in order to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed control system.