Robust stabilization of a system of coupled tanks based on predefined-time leak-flow estimation

This paper presents a novel leak-flow estimation scheme and its application to the robust stabilization of fluid power systems, with a specific focus on coupled tanks in a gravity-fed cascade configuration. The motivation behind this work is to improve the certainty of the control process, where safety and performance are paramount concerns, as typically required for fluid-level control and leak-flow estimation. The proposed leak-flow estimation scheme employs a predefined-time control strategy to ensure that leak flows are accurately estimated within a designer-defined time frame during the tuning phase. This methodology enables the timely detection and precise estimation of leaks that can degrade system performance, cause environmental pollution, and compromise the entire process. By compensating for the effects of leaks, the system achieves a high level of autonomy and maintains regular operation despite disturbances. A series of simulations conducted on a two-coupled-tank system, including comparative analyses, illustrates the efficacy and relevance of the proposed approach in a simple yet representative scenario.