Linear Dynamic Model of an On/Off Actuated Pneumatic Cylinder: An Optimization Approach

This paper describes a methodology to construct a linear model of a double pneumatic cylinder. The in and out airflow is regulated by two on/off solenoid valves. The proposed methodology simplifies the handling of the two on/off solenoid valves by using a nonlinear relation between the on/off times of the valves and a single continuous control input. This relation represents an open loop control that gives a linear input/output response with maximum speed, and with reduced dead-band. Numerical simulations are given in order to validate the proposed methodology.