Adaptive position determining system for hydraulic cylinder

A method of determining the position of a component associated with a hydraulic cylinder, comprising:

• monitoring a characteristic associated with a control signal supplied to a flow control device operatively connected to the hydraulic cylinder;
• determining a fluid flow rate in the hydraulic cylinder based on stored information relating the fluid flow rate to the characteristic associated with the control signal;
• calculating a position of the component based on the determined fluid flow rate;
• determining an error value corresponding to a difference between the calculated position and an actual position of the component;
• and
• updating the stored information based on the error value.

A work machine, comprising:

• a power source;
• a frame;
• a work implement operatively connected to the frame;
• at least one hydraulic cylinder operatively connected to the frame and configured to assist in moving the work implement;
• a flow control device operatively connected to the hydraulic cylinder;
• and
• a controller configured to supply an actuating signal to the flow control device,
• wherein the controller is further configured to:
• monitor a characteristic associated with the actuating signal,
• determine a hydraulic fluid flow rate in the hydraulic cylinder based on stored information relating the hydraulic fluid flow rate to the characteristic associated with the actuating signal,
• calculate a position of a component associated with the hydraulic cylinder based on the hydraulic fluid flow rate, and
• update the stored information when the determined position deviates from an actual position of the component.