Study of Fuzzy PID Control for a Semi-Track Air-Cushion Vehicle Based on Power Consumption Optimization

Based on the traveling resistance analyzing for a semi-track air-cushion vehicle (STACV) operating in severe work conditions, the power consumptions for air-cushion system and propulsion system are investigated in this paper. Firstly, a theoretical model for minimum total power consumption is established, for examining the effects of vehicle parameters and load distribution on power consumption. A control scheme is proposed by using self-turning fuzzy PID control approach to ensure the STACV driving stable and meanwhile with minimum total power consumption. Then, simulation studies are carried out by the proposed control system in MATLAB/SIMULINK Simulation results show that, for given vehicle parameters and simulated soil condition, optimum vehicle operation states can be obtained by using the designed control system with satisfactory control quality, which can provide useful guidance for the control system design for the STACV.