Feasibility study of sliding mode control in the operation of a variable displacement axial piston pump

Abstract

The performance and the versatility of a variable displacement axial piston pump are, to a large extent, determined by its controller. Upgrading of existing controllers is considered one of the major means of improving the characteristics of the pump. Sliding mode control (SMC) is proposed here for the control of such a pump. The control scheme, while showing a great potential for increasing the robustness of the control system, substantially increases the difficulties of system implementation both theoretically and physically. The success of the application will be evident when these difficulties are resolved. Pump controllers consisting of different hardware structures and actuators are considered in this paper. The feasibility of these controllers, when designed using SMC theory, is studied; necessary conditions for the use of SMC in the control of such pumps are established. Systems that are deemed to be theoretically feasible are simulated, and issues on implementation of these control systems are discussed.