Hydraulic Pilot Valve Layout for Large Stroke Flow Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fluidic valves face challenges in achieving large stroke movements while minimizing size, weight, and electric current requirements, often resulting in excessive pressure drops and increased mass due to the need for larger moving elements and solenoids.
Innovation Solution
A proportional fluidic valve design where the solenoid electric actuator surrounds a portion of the valve member, utilizing a bi-pilot configuration with a ferromagnetic material to induce pressure differences between cavities, allowing for large valve member displacements with small pilot movements and reduced solenoid size and current usage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the valve member is given a large stroke to enable proportional control of large flow rates, then the control sensitivity and flow rate regulation capability are improved, but the size and mass of the valve increase due to larger moving parts and solenoid requirements
Solution Approach 1:
A pilot element is introduced as an intermediary component that mediates between the solenoid actuator and the main valve member. The pilot element, when actuated by the solenoid, controls fluid pressure to actuate the valve member. This intermediary mechanism allows the small solenoid to control the large valve member indirectly through hydraulic amplification, resolving the contradiction between valve size and control capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The direct mechanical connection between the solenoid and valve member is replaced with a hydraulic actuation system. Instead of the solenoid directly moving the valve member through mechanical force, it uses fluid pressure generated by the pilot element to actuate the valve member. This substitution allows for more efficient force transmission and reduces the mechanical size requirements of the solenoid.
2Length of moving object
If the pilot and valve member are made large to achieve long stroke, then the stroke length is improved, but the current required by the solenoid increases to generate sufficient magnetic force
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses hydraulic actuation where fluid pressure generated by the pilot element controls the movement of the valve member. The solenoid only needs to move the small pilot element, which then generates sufficient hydraulic pressure to actuate the larger valve member. This hydraulic amplification reduces the force and current requirements of the solenoid while maintaining long stroke capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the operating parameters by using fluid pressure as the actuation mechanism rather than direct mechanical force. By controlling the pilot element's position, the system varies the fluid pressure to control the valve member's stroke, allowing for energy-efficient actuation of large strokes through parameter variation rather than direct force application.
3Volume of moving object
If the valve member stroke is limited to reduce size and weight, then the valve compactness is improved, but the pressure losses increase and flow rate control capability is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The pilot element serves as a mediator that enables the compact valve design to achieve long effective stroke. By positioning the pilot element within the valve member's internal cavity, it controls fluid pressure to actuate the valve member over a longer stroke distance without increasing the external valve dimensions, thus maintaining compactness while reducing pressure losses.
Solution Approach 2:
The solution moves the stroke extension from the external dimensional space to the internal fluid pressure space. Instead of increasing the valve's external dimensions to accommodate a longer stroke, the system uses the internal fluid pressure generated by the pilot element to extend the effective stroke of the valve member, separating the stroke length from the external valve volume.
4Force
If a strong electrical current is injected into the solenoid to move large moving parts, then the actuator force is improved, but the energy consumption and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system replaces direct electrical-mechanical force transmission with hydraulic force amplification. The solenoid generates a small electrical-mechanical force to move the pilot element, which then generates large hydraulic forces through fluid pressure to actuate the valve member. This hydraulic amplification provides high actuator force with minimal electrical current input.
Solution Approach 2:
The direct mechanical force transmission system is replaced with a hydraulic force amplification system. Instead of the solenoid directly generating large mechanical forces on the valve member, it uses fluid pressure as an intermediate force transmission medium, substituting a high-current electrical-mechanical system with a low-current electrical-hydraulic-mechanical system that achieves the same force output with lower energy input.
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
Enables precise control of large fluid flow rates with reduced weight and current consumption, as the pressure difference between cavities drives the valve member movement, allowing for compact and lightweight fluidic valves with improved control and stability.
Implementation Method 1
By injecting an electric current into the solenoid actuator, it is possible to move a pilot pin, called the 'push pin', from a first position to a second position
Implementation Method 2
a displacement of the pilot induces a pressure difference between the first and second cavities due to the change in the degree of communication between them. This pressure difference generates a displacement force on the valve member
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
AI summary
The invention relates to a fluid valve (50) for a hydraulic circuit of an aircraft, comprising: - a valve body (20) comprising one inlet (22), two outlets (23); - a solenoid electric actuator (40) comprising a ferromagnetic mobile driver (41); - said valve member (5) having a portion comprising a ferromagnetic material: - comprising first (51) and second (52) ends, - defining first (1) and second (2) cavities located on either side of the valve member (5) and comprising a longitudinal cavity (46) extending parallel to a main direction (100) and leading into said second cavity (2), such that a relative movement between the mobile controller (41) and the valve member (5) makes it possible to modify a communication between the longitudinal cavity (46) and the first cavity (1) via a side opening (101) perpendicular to the main direction (100).