A control system for a hybrid linear actuator for a flush deck hatch

This paper presents the control system design in the development of a hybrid linear actuator for opening the flush deck hatch CV/CVN ship class. We present a simple feedback control system for the hatch opening, which is described by a nonlinear model. The hybrid linear actuator consists of magnetostrictive thrusters and high force electric linear motors segments ganged together to drive a load shaft through of sets of self-locking, magnetically activated clutches. The control system is based on trajectory following method with a simple feedback-linearizing loop. Simulation results show excellent performance of the closed loop system.