Viktor Larsson

In mobile work machines, such as excavators, dump trucks and wheel loaders, diesel-powered hydraulic systems are currently most commonly used to perform various work functions. However, with increasingly stringent emission requirements, higher energy prices and greater awareness of negative climate and environmental effects, it is becoming more difficult to justify this type of system, and many are therefore turning their attention to electrification. Electric systems offer both lower energy losses during use and the possibility of completely replacing the diesel engine with a battery as the primary power source. However, a major challenge in electrifying work machines is that electrical components lack many of the advantages offered by hydraulics, such as high power density, robustness and cost-effectiveness.

An electro-hydraulic system raises the hypothesis that the best solution may be a compromise; is it possible to combine electrical and hydraulic components to build a motion system that is energy-efficient, robust, cost-effective and has high power density, and if so, how? This question is central to my research, where we look at how simulation-based optimisation can be used to find this compromise.

With simulation-based optimisation, we let a computer find the best engineering solution for us. We do this by letting the computer explore mathematical models of various aspects we want to take into account. For an electrohydraulic system, this can mean asking the computer to
find a system solution with simultaneously high power density, robustness and energy efficiency.

Ultimately, this can save valuable time in the development process and minimise the risk of missing relevant system solutions.

Academic qualifications

• Doctor of Technology in Fluid and Mechatronic Systems, LiU, 2019.
• Licentiate of Technology in Fluid and Mechatronic Systems, LiU, 2017.
• Master of Technology in Mechanical Engineering, LiU, 2014.

Teaching

• Machine Elements – teaching assistant
• Mechatronics – teaching assistant
• Hydraulic Servo Systems – teaching assistant

Awards and honours

• Hydraulics and Pneumatics Association, awarded scholarship for best thesis in 2014.
  
  

Social media

• LinkedIn
• ResearchGate
• Google Scholar
• ORCID