A study on the influence of friction on loading performance of electro-hydraulic friction load simulator for actuator test

In mechanical engineering, especially in the aerospace, actuator systems must be tested under the corresponding load conditions. The conventional load simulator is disturbed by the motion of tested actuator, which seriously affects the loading performance. This paper presents an electro-hydraulic friction load simulator (EHFLS) for actuator test that is not disturbed by the motion of tested actuator in theory. Its mathematical model is constructed. Theoretically analyzing, friction is the key factor to affect the loading performance. Simulations are performed to discuss how the loading performance of the electro-hydraulic friction load simulator is affected by friction.