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Gerotor machines are internal gear hydraulic devices that present numerous performance benefits with respect to other topologies. For this reason, they find their application in high-efficiency mechatronic devices, such as electro-hydrostatic actuators. When designing gerotor machines either as a motor or pump, there are numerous parameters to choose, with different influences on the mechanical and volumetric efficiency behavior. Some of these aspects have been addressed in previous research works, while other important features like the tooth aspect ratio have been partially or completely neglected. Hence, it is the goal of this paper to present a methodology, as linear and generic as possible, to tackle the design of gerotor units. The proposed design method is numerically validated through a case study, where dedicated computational fluid dynamics models are used to assess the performance of the prototype. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Electrohydrostatic actuators are increasingly finding applications in different fields due to their numerous advantages with respect to electromechanical and conventional hydraulic systems. To understand their behavior, potentialities, limitations, and design aspects, the present paper deals with the modeling of such devices. The discussed phenomena are experimentally validated through the stationary and dynamic characterization tests of a rotary electrohydrostatic prototype. Results emphasize the role of mechanical and hydraulic dissipative effects and the fluid bulk modulus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The implementation of variable damping systems to increase the adaptability of mechanical structures to their working environment has been gaining increasing scientific interest, and numerous attempts have been devoted to address vibration control by means of active and semi-active devices. Although research results seem promising in some cases, the proposed solutions are often not able to fulfill requirements in terms of compactness and simplicity on one hand, and dynamic performance on the other. In this context, the present paper discusses the modeling and control of an electrohydrostatic actuation (EHA) system for its implementation as a damping device. A model of the device is proposed and analyzed for design purposes. Subsequently, a damping control strategy is presented. Finally, a case study introduces and validates an EHA prototype for helicopter rotor blade lead-lag damping. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]