Predictor algorithm for actuator control

Abstract

A predictor algorithm for an actuator control is provided in a servo-actuator system. The predictor algorithm receives a signal representative of the torque motor current supplied to the servovalve controlling the actuator and uses that signal to predict the change in actuator position over a single time interval. If the measured actuator position for the previous time interval is within the maximum value and the minimum value for that time interval, then the next maximum and minimum values are calculated by adding the predicted change to the previous measured signal. If the measured actuator signal for the previous time interval is outside the maximum and minimum values for that time interval, then the next maximum and minimum values are calculated by adding the predicted change to the previous maximum and minimum values. A fault is indicated when the measured signal falls outside the maximum and minimum values for a predetermined number of time intervals. In a further embodiment of the present invention, the gain of the torque motor is tracked and used to adjust the maximum and minimum values for various operating conditions.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.