A comparative study of system-level performance is given for on/off valve control of a hydraulic cylinder. A dynamic model was created and simulated to develop and evaluate innovative control strategies specific to the use of on/off valves. Cylinder position control was investigated using a configuration consisting of two 3-way on/off valves and a configuration with four 2-way on/off valves. Controllers were developed to minimize the influence of on/off valve performance on the cylinder

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... responses. All controllers and valve configurations were experimentally tested and compared with the simulation results. A sensitivity analysis was performed by varying the supply pressure and external load applied to the cylinder. It was determined that successful performance to sine wave and step inputs can be achieved with the control theories presented and that the four 2-way on/off valve configuration provides superior position performance.