arXiv subjects

Eduardo Moya-Lasheras

Publications and source records attributed to Eduardo Moya-Lasheras.

9 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2026

Run-to-Run Indirect Trajectory Tracking Control of Electromechanical Systems Based on Identifiable and Flat Models

Differentially flat models are frequently used to design feedforward controllers for electromechanical systems. However, control performance depends on model accuracy, which makes feedback imperative. This paper presents a control scheme for electromechanical systems in which measuring or estimating the output to be controlled -- typically the position -- is not feasible. It employs an identifiable-model-based controller and predictor, coupled with an iterative loop that updates model parameters using the error between a measurable output and its prediction. Simulations on electromechanical switching devices show effective tracking of the desired position trajectory using only coil current measurements.

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arXiv2025

A Hybrid Algorithm for Iterative Adaptation of Feedforward Controllers: an Application on Electromechanical Switches

Electromechanical switching devices such as relays, solenoid valves, and contactors offer several technical and economic advantages that make them widely used in industry. However, uncontrolled operations result in undesirable impact-related phenomena at the end of the stroke. As a solution, different soft-landing controls have been proposed. Among them, feedforward control with iterative techniques that adapt its parameters is a solution when real-time feedback is not available. However, these techniques typically require a large number of operations to converge or are computationally intensive, which limits a real implementation. In this paper, we present a new algorithm for the iterative adaptation that is able to eventually adapt the search coordinate system and to reduce the search dimensional size in order to accelerate convergence. Moreover, it automatically toggles between a derivative-free and a gradient-based method to balance exploration and exploitation. To demonstrate the high potential of the proposal, each novel part of the algorithm is compared with a state-of-the-art approach via simulation.

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arXiv2024

On the Stability of Electromechanical Switching Devices

Electromagnetic relays and solenoid actuators are commonly used for their bistable behavior, which allows for switching between two states in electrical, pneumatic, or hydraulic circuits, among other applications. Although there has been extensive research on modeling, estimation, and control of these electromechanical systems, a gap remains in the analysis area. This paper addresses this gap by presenting an equilibrium and stability analysis to gain deeper insight into their bistability. This analysis leverages a hybrid dynamical model to obtain analytical expressions that relate the physical parameters to the switching conditions. These expressions are useful, e.g., for fundamental understanding, quick analyses, or design optimization. The results are discussed in depth and potential practical applications are explored. Finally, the analysis is validated with experimental results from a real device.

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arXiv2024

Run-to-Run Adaptive Nonlinear Feedforward Control of Electromechanical Switching Devices

Feedforward control can greatly improve the response time and control accuracy of any mechatronic system. However, in order to compensate for the effects of modeling errors or disturbances, it is imperative that this type of control works in conjunction with some form of feedback. In this paper, we present a new adaptive feedforward control scheme for electromechanical systems in which real-time measurements or estimates of the position and its derivatives are not technically or economically feasible. This is the case, for example, of commercial electromechanical switching devices such as solenoid actuators. Our proposal consists of two blocks: on the one hand, a feedforward controller based on differential flatness theory; on the other, an iterative adaptation law that exploits the repetitive operation of these devices to modify the controller parameters cycle by cycle. As shown, this law can be fed with any available measurement of the system, with the only requirement that it can be processed and converted into an indicator of the performance of any given operation. Simulated and experimental results show that our proposal is effective in dealing with a long-standing control problem in electromechanics: the soft-landing control of electromechanical switching devices.

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arXiv2024

An Audio-Based Iterative Controller for Soft Landing of Electromechanical Relays

Electromechanical relays and contactors suffer from strong collisions at the end of the switching operations. This causes several undesirable phenomena, such as clicking, mechanical wear and contact bounce. Thus, there is great interest in mitigating these switching impacts while keeping the advantageous features of these devices. This paper proposes a complete control strategy for soft landing. The control structure includes three main components. The first one is a real-time flux-tracking feedback controller, which presents several advantages over voltage or current control. The second one is a feedforward controller, which computes the flux reference signal based on a proposed dynamical model and the desired position trajectory for the switching operations. Lastly, the third control component is a learning-type run-to-run adaptation law that iteratively adapts the model parameters based on an audio signal. It exploits the repetitive nature of these devices in order to circumvent modeling discrepancies due to unit-to-unit variability or small changes between operations. The effectiveness of the proposed control is demonstrated through various experiments.

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arXiv2024

Probability-Based Optimal Control Design for Soft Landing of Short-Stroke Actuators

The impact forces during switching operations of short-stroke actuators may cause bouncing, audible noise and mechanical wear. The application of soft-landing control strategies to these devices aims at minimizing the impact velocities of their moving components to ultimately improve their lifetime and performance. In this paper, a novel approach for soft-landing trajectory planning, including probability functions, is proposed for optimal control of the actuators. The main contribution of the proposal is that it considers uncertainty in the contact position and hence the obtained trajectories are more robust against system uncertainties. The problem is formulated as an optimal control problem and transformed into a two-point boundary value problem for its numerical resolution. Simulated and experimental tests have been performed using a dynamic model and a commercial short-stroke solenoid valve. The results show a significant improvement in the expected velocities and accelerations at contact with respect to past solutions in which the contact position is assumed to be perfectly known.

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arXiv2024

Faster Run-to-Run Feedforward Control of Electromechanical Switching Devices: a Sensitivity-Based Approach

Electromechanical switching devices, such as solenoid valves, contactors, and relays, suffer from undesirable phenomena like clicking, mechanical wear, and contact bounce. Despite that, they are still widely used in industry due to their various economic and technical advantages. This has encouraged the development of controllers aimed at reducing the collisions that occur at the end of the switching operations. One of the most successful approaches has been the use of iterative techniques. However, these algorithms typically require a large number of operations to converge, which is definitely a clear drawback. This paper presents a strategy to improve the convergence rate of such controllers. Our proposal, which is based on the sensitivity of the control law with respect to the parameters, assumes that the performance of the system is more heavily affected by some parameters than others. Thus, by avoiding movements in the directions that have less impact, the search algorithm is expected to drive the system to near-optimal behaviors using fewer operations. Results obtained by simulation show significant improvement in the convergence rate of a state-of-the-art run-to-run feedforward controller, which demonstrates the high potential of the proposal.

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arXiv2024

Real-Time Electromagnetic Estimation for Reluctance Actuators

Several modeling, estimation, and control strategies have been recently presented for simple reluctance devices like solenoid valves and electromagnetic switches. In this paper, we present a new algorithm to online estimate the flux linkage and the electrical time-variant parameters of these devices, namely the resistance and the inductance, only by making use of discrete-time measurements of voltage and current. The algorithm, which is robust against measurement noise, is able to deal with temperature variations of the device and provides accurate estimations during the motion of the armature. Additionally, an integral {estimator} that uses the start of each operation of the actuator as reset condition has been also implemented for comparative purposes. The performances of both estimation methods are studied and compared by means of simulations and experimental tests, and the benefits of our proposal are emphasized. Possible uses of the estimates and further modeling developments are also described and discussed.

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arXiv2024

Run-to-Run Control With Bayesian Optimization for Soft Landing of Short-Stroke Reluctance Actuators

There is great interest in minimizing the impact forces of reluctance actuators during commutations, in order to reduce contact bouncing, acoustic noise and mechanical wear. In this regard, a run-to-run control algorithm is proposed to decrease the contact velocity, by exploiting the repetitive operations of these devices. The complete control is presented, with special focus on the optimization method and the input definition. The search method is based on Bayesian optimization, and several additions are introduced for its application in run-to-run control, e.g. the removal of stored points and the definition of a new acquisition function. Additionally, methods for the input parametrization and dimension reduction are presented. For analysis, Monte Carlo simulations are performed using a dynamic model of a commercial solenoid valve, comparing the proposed search method with two alternatives. Furthermore, the control strategy is validated through experimental testing, using several devices from the same ensemble of solenoid valves.

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