A high-fidelity simulation model for an asymmetric nonlinear electrothermal actuator

In this paper a high-fidelity single-input and single-output (SISO) simulation model for an asymmetric nonlinear electrothermal actuator is presented. The model was mainly developed using grey-box system identification and considers energy conversion and energy flow between electrical, thermal and mechanical domains. It is particularly useful for investigation of different control strategies (control performance, control stability, actuator life cycle and energy consumption) for plants employing SAUTER AXT211 thermal actuator. Some insights are given in the process of system identification, model optimization and validation using measured data. Correlation between simulation results and measured data is investigated, as well as simulation model confidence.