Cam-Controlled Servovalve for High-Flow Low-Power Operation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional servovalves face challenges in handling large fluid flows effectively at high operation frequencies with low power consumption, while maintaining a compact design and being less vulnerable to contamination, damage, and leakage.
Innovation Solution
The servovalve design incorporates a rotating cam member with a cam profile between orifices to vary fluid flow to the valve spool ends, driven by a control signal, allowing for efficient fluid flow management with a positioning mechanism and reduced power consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If jet pipe servovalves are used to handle large fluid flows, then flow capacity is improved, but device size and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The valve body is divided into multiple flow channels (first flow channel, second flow channel) with separate orifices (first orifice, second orifice) that can be independently controlled by the cam member. This segmentation allows precise control of fluid flow to different ends of the valve spool, enabling large flow capacity while maintaining a compact integrated structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The cam member is rotatably mounted within the valve body and works in conjunction with the orifices and valve spool. The drive assembly is integrated into the valve body structure. This nesting arrangement allows multiple functional components to occupy overlapping spatial volumes, increasing flow capacity without proportionally increasing overall device size.
2Quantity of substance
If flapper type servovalves are used for high flow rates, then flow capacity is improved, but flow forces act in the direction of flapper movement requiring the motor to overcome these forces
Solution Approach 1:
The cam member is positioned between the first orifice and second orifice, effectively balancing the flow forces acting on it. When the valve spool moves, the cam member's position adjusts to equalize pressure forces from both sides, counterbalancing the flow forces. This eliminates the need for the motor to continuously overcome unbalanced flow forces, reducing power consumption while maintaining high flow capacity.
Solution Approach 2:
The cam member acts as a mechanical feedback element that automatically adjusts its position in response to valve spool movement and flow force changes. This passive feedback mechanism equalizes forces without requiring additional active control power, allowing high flow rates with reduced motor power consumption.
3Stability of the object's composition
If clevis-like metering valves are used to balance flow forces, then flow force balance is improved, but valve size increases due to bigger orifices required for larger flows
Solution Approach 1:
The cam member and drive assembly are nested within the valve body structure, with the cam member rotating in a compact space between the orifices. This nested arrangement allows the valve to maintain balanced flow forces through the cam mechanism while keeping the overall valve size compact, avoiding the need for large external clevis structures.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of using large external structures like clevises to balance forces, the invention uses a rotating cam member that operates in a different dimensional space (rotational motion between orifices) to achieve flow force balance. This dimensional change allows compact force balancing without increasing valve size proportionally to flow capacity.
4Ease of manufacture
If external supply pipes are used in jet pipe systems, then fluid supply is simplified, but vulnerability to damage and external leakage increases
Solution Approach 1:
The supply ports are integrated directly into the valve body structure, merging the fluid supply function with the valve housing. This eliminates the need for separate external supply pipes that could be damaged or leak, while maintaining ease of fluid supply through the integrated ports and internal flow channels.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This design enables efficient handling of large fluid flows with lower power consumption, improved variable control, and reduced vulnerability to contamination and leakage, while maintaining a compact and robust servovalve system.
Implementation Method 1
a first orifice in the first flow channel between the supply port and the first end of the valve spool to supply fluid to the first end of the valve spool; a second orifice in the second flow channel between the supply port and the second end of the valve spool to supply fluid to the second end of the valve spool
Data Source
AI summary
A servovalve includes a supply port and a control port; a moveable valve spool arranged to regulate flow of fluid from the supply port to the control port in response to a control signal and a drive assembly configured to axially move the valve spool relative to the fluid transfer assembly in response to the control signal to regulate the fluid flow; wherein the drive assembly comprises a first fluid channel providing a flow path for fluid from the supply port to a first end of the spool and provided with a first flow control orifice. The assembly also includes a second fluid channel providing a rotating element provided with a cam profile located between the first flow control orifice and the second flow control orifice. The assembly also includes drive means arranged to rotate the rotating element.