Multi-Objective Optimization Design of a 30 kW Electro-Hydrostatic Actuator

Abstract

Electro-hydrostatic actuators (EHAs) combine the advantages of electric and hydraulic actuation, and it results in a preferable solution for heavy load actuation. The required power level of the EHA is increasing because it is being introduced to large vehicles such as submarines and heavy launch vehicles. Thus, a 30 kW EHA is under development for launch vehicles, which simultaneously require high dynamic performance, light weight, high efficiency, etc. Therefore, a dedicated multi-objective optimization design method is proposed for the preliminary design of the 30 kW EHA. In this study, firstly, the design requirements were analyzed for the launch vehicle application, and the objectives and the constraints of the optimization design were defined for the 30 kW EHA. Secondly, dedicated models were developed for evaluating each objective or constraint, including weight, bandwidth, and efficiency. Thirdly, the multi-objective EHA optimization design was implemented based on the genetic algorithm. Lastly, the optimization design results were evaluated through simulation analysis, which demonstrated that the 30 kW EHA achieved more than 10 Hz bandwidth with under 72 kg weight while the efficiency was also optimized.