Linear controller proposal applied to the virtual servomechanism from an open source mechanical ventilator system

Abstract

Nowadays a new infectious disease has been spreading world-wide (Covid-19), this disease mainly affects the respiratory system and requires the use of mechanical ventilators; unfortunately, the worldwide availability of such artificial ventilators is scarce. Therefore, some international efforts have been developed to get simpler and cheaper mechanical ventilators, although the main challenge is the air flow control, because of the dynamic complexity that links the servomechanism and the bio-hydraulic system. In this context, as a first stage in the development of robust control algorithms with the described intention, this paper presents the design and analysis of a feedback vector linear controller implemented in a virtual servomechanism from an open source mechanical ventilator. The numerical validation of this feedback vector controller is analyzed through two gains tuning scenarios, the results show a positive implementation taking in consideration the strong nonlinearity the system has. The novelty of the work resides in the accuracy of the model being quite simple. The proposed model changes the idea we have of controllers being over complicated and difficult to manage, inviting more students to experiment with such controllers more confidently.