Active Return-to-Center Control Based on Torque and Angle Sensors for Electric Power Steering Systems.

This paper presents a complete control strategy of the active return-to-center (RTC) control for electric power steering (EPS) systems. We first establish the mathematical model of the EPS system and analyze the source and influence of the self-aligning torque (SAT). Second, based on the feedback signals of steering column torque and steering wheel angle, we give the trigger conditions of a state switch between the steering assist state and the RTC state. In order to avoid the sudden change of the output torque for the driving motor when the state switches frequently between the steering assist state and the RTC state, we design an undisturbed state switching logic algorithm. This state switching logic algorithm ensures that the output value of the RTC controller is set to an initial value and increases in given steps up to a maximum value after entering the RTC state, and the output value of the RTC controller will reduce in given steps down to zero when exiting the RTC state. This therefore ensures smooth switch control between the two states and improves the driver's steering feeling. Third, we design the RTC controller, which depends upon the feedback signals of the steering wheel angle and the angular velocity. In addition, the controller increases the auxiliary control function of the RTC torque based on vehicle speed. The experimental results show that the active RTC control method does not affect the basic assist characteristics, which effectively reduces the residual angle of the steering wheel at low vehicle speed and improves the RTC performance of the vehicle.

Formation and characteristics of aqueous two-phase systems formed by a cationic surfactant and a series of ionic liquids.

Aqueous two-phase systems (ATPS) were obtained in the aqueous mixtures of a cationic surfactant and a series of ionic liquids (ILs). The effects of IL structure, temperature and additives on the phase separation were systematically investigated. The microstructures of some ATPS were observed by freeze-fracture replication technique. Lyotropic liquid crystal was found in the bottom phase besides micelles under different conditions. Remarkably, both IL structure and additives profoundly affected the formation and properties of the ATPSs. The phase separation can be attributed to the existence of different aggregates and the cation-π interactions of the cationic surfactant with the ILs, which has a significant role in the formation of ATPS. The extraction capacity of the studied ATPS was also evaluated through their application in the extraction of two biosubstances. The results indicate that the ILs with BF4(-) as anion show much better extraction efficiencies than the corresponding ILs with Br(-) as anion do under the same conditions. l-Tryptophan was mainly distributed into the NPTAB-rich phase, while methylene blue and capsochrome were mainly in the IL-rich phase.