Simulation and Field Experiments With an Agricultural Tractor of a Robust Control for a Complete Fluid Power Circuit Using a New Electro-Hydraulic Pump: Part I—Modelling

Recently, agricultural tractors fuel consumption is growing, as a consequence of an increased number of components supplied. Otherwise, the increased sensitivity for environmental protection and global market competition are pointing out evermore urgent needs for significant improvement of fuel economy. With normal components of standard production tractors, dimensioned for the worst case operating conditions, is difficult to reduce consumptions. In this study, it is dealt with an innovative configuration where, the main hydraulic pump is substituted with a new electro-hydraulic one, with aim to optimize the operating points. To manage the pump by an appropriate control strategy, is fundamental to understand the characteristics and the dynamic properties of the hydraulic circuit fed by the pump. The purpose of this part of the paper is to describe the modeling activity that cover this necessity.