Hybrid computer in the optimal design of hydro-mechanical systems

This paper discusses the use of hybrid computation in the optimal design of complex hydro-mechanical systems. To illustrate the method, three systems, namely, a machine-tool hydraulic copying system, motion-compensated ship-borne crane and a novel hydrostatic urban vehicle drive are simulated. The computer models are used for evaluation of the system concepts and preliminary system sizing. This is followed by a parameter optimization, for which the direct search “complex method” is used. A comparison of performance of the systems before and after optimization is given and discussed.