Integrated Hydromechatronic Actuators

Using the opportunities provided by additive manufacture (AM), advanced high performance electrohydraulic actuators are emerging which exhibit tightly-integrated sensing, control and power stages. Not only do these provide excellent power density and dynamic response, but the potential for robust control and health monitoring built on their embedded sensing capability. This paper reviews the pros and cons of traditional hydraulic actuation and discuss concepts for improved performance. A key challenge is the poor energy efficiency of hydraulic actuators controlled by throttling valves, but this can be overcome by using servomotor driven pumps, or digital hydraulic architectures such as those using high-speed switching valves. Whichever architecture is used, AM allows the merging of separate parts into one structural unit giving enormous benefits in terms of compactness, reliability, reduced part count, and improved dynamic performance.