A novel nonlinear sliding mode controller has recently been developed for direct acting proportional solenoid valves. This paper presents a comparison between the valve performance using this controller, and that obtained using two alternative control strategies; state feedback and PID control. Each controller is described in turn, and experimental step response results are presented to demonstrate the validity of each strategy. These results are compared on the basis of response time, overshoot, and steady-state error. The time taken to design each controller, and the required level of knowledge of the valve dynamics, are also assessed. The ability of each controller to reject flow reaction forces is evaluated by observing the changes in the step response when oil is passed through the valve. The results demonstrate that the sliding mode controller results in a faster, more robust closed-loop response. In addition, only minimal knowledge of the valve dynamics is required in order to design the controller.

Issue Section:
Technical Papers
Topics:
Sliding mode control, Solenoids, State feedback, Valves, Control equipment, Design, Dynamics (Mechanics), Errors, Flow (Dynamics), Steady state
1.
Franklin, G. F., Powell, J. D., and Workman, M. L., 1990, Digital Control of Dynamic Systems, Addison-Wesley, New York, pp. 245–249.
2.
Gamble, J. B., 1992, Sliding Mode Control of a Proportional Solenoid Valve, PhD Thesis, University of Bath.
3.
Harashima
F.
,
Hashimoto
H.
, and
Kondo
S.
,
1985
, “
MOSFET Converter-Fed Position Servosystem with Sliding Mode Control
,”
IEEE Trans. on Industrial Electronics
, Vol.
32
, No.
3
, pp.
238
–
244
.
4.
Henke, R. W., and Burton, R. V., 1985, “Directional Control Valves for Profit Making Design,” Hydraulics and Pneumatics, Apr., pp. HP1–32.
5.
Utkin, V. I., 1987, “Discontinuous Control Systems: State of the Art in Theory and Applications,” Proc IFAC 10th World Congress, Munich, Germany, pp. 25–44.
6.
Vaughan, N. D., and Gamble, J. B., 1990, “The Modelling and Simulation of a Proportional Solenoid Valve,” Presented at the ASME Winter Annual Meeting, Dallas, Texas, Nov. 25–30, paper 90-WA/FPST-11.
7.
Vaughan, N. D., and Gamble, J. B., 1992, “Sliding Mode Control of a Proportional Solenoid Valve,” Fluid Power Systems Modelling and Control, Burrows, C. R. and Edge, K. A., eds., Research Studies Press, Taunton, pp. 95–107.
This content is only available via PDF.
Copyright © 1996
 by The American Society of Mechanical Engineers
You do not currently have access to this content.