The main aim of this master´s thesis is to launch a chain tools storage. The main intention of this work is creation of a control program for the programmable logic controller and HMI (Human Machine Interface). My master´s thesis contains optimization of location tools in chain tools storage. Program part consists of software modules which contain different algorithms (optimization of speed of start-up beds, beds approaching the shortest path and optimal deployment tools).

In this thesis project, brake performance of heavy vehicles is improved by the development of new wheel-based functions for a longitudinal slip control braking system using novel Fast Acting Braking Valves (FABVs). To achieve this goal, Volvo Trucks' vehicle dynamics model has been extended to incorporate the FABV system. After validating the updated model with experimental data, a slip-slope based recursive least squares friction estimation algorithm has been implemented. Using information about the tire-road friction coefifcient, the sliding mode slip controller has been made adaptive to different road surfaces by implementing a friction dependent reference slip signal and switching gain for the sliding mode controller. This switching gain is further optimized by means of a novel on-line optimization algorithm. Simulations show that the on-line friction estimation converges close to the reference friction level within one second for hard braking. Furthermore, using this information for the optimized controller has resulted in reduction of braking distance on most road surfaces of up to 20 percent, as well as in most cases a reduction in air usage.

Smart structures become highly popular with the developing technology. The aim of this study is to develop a basic model, which can be also used in the design of more complex systems by performing simultaneous optimization of a structure and associated controller with respect to some design parameters and feedback gains. In this thesis work, two smart structures are used as case studies and their results are compared with the available results in the literature. The first case study is simple twobar truss problem controlled by either one or two actuators. This problem is solved both numerically and analytically. The latter is a twenty-element parabolic truss, which is controlled by four actuators. This problem is solved numerically only. In the optimization process, the design parameters are taken as the cross sectional areas of bar elements, positions and/or number of actuators, and the elements of closed loop gain matrix. In the second case study, in addition to these parameters, shape design parameters are also optimized. A coordinate transformation is applied in both cases from the displacement space to the modal space. The modal model reduction method is used in the design of second problem. The optimization goal in both cases studies is to minimize the system energy while satisfying some frequency and mass constraints. In the second case study, in addition to the original objective function, system controllability and stability robustness are also maximized. In the solution of design problem, two optimization algorithms are used one embedded within the other. In the outer loop, a hide and seek simulated annealing algorithm optimizes structural design parameters, and positions and/or number of actuators. In order to generate a candidate design family for this level, optimal closed loop gain matrices are calculated by using MATLAB&reg / .

This thesis introduces an alternative potentially low cost solution for hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) simulation based on the waveform relaxation (WR) method. The WR tech-nique is extended so that, without the need for a real-time simulator, the behaviour of an actual piece of physical hardware can nevertheless be tested as though it were connected to a large external electrical network. This is achieved by simulating the external network on an off-line electromagnetic transients (EMT) simulation program, and utilizing iterative exchange of waveforms between the simulation and the hardware by means of a spe-cialized Real-Time Player/Recorder (RTPR) interface device. The approach is referred to as waveform relaxation based hardware-in-the-loop (WR-HIL) simulation. To make the method possible, the thesis introduces several new innovations for stabi-lizing and accelerating the WR-HIL algorithm. It is shown that the classical WR shows poor or no convergence when at least one of the subsystems is an actual device. The noise and analog-digital converters’ quantization errors and other hardware disturbances can affect the waveforms and cause the WR to diverge. Therefore, the application of the WR method in performing HIL simulation is not straightforward and the classical WR need to be modified accordingly. Three convergence techniques are proposed to improve the WR-HIL simulation con-vergence. Each technique is evaluated by an experimental example. The stability of the WR-HIL simulation is studied and a stabilization technique is proposed to provide suffi-cient conditions for the simulation stability. The approach is also extended to include the optimization of the parameters of power system controllers located in geographically distant places. The WR-HIL simulation technique is presented with several examples. At the end of the thesis, suggestions for the future work are presented. / February 2016