Orthogonal Flapper Servo Valve Without Biasing Members
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing servo valves lack efficient control mechanisms for fluid flow, particularly in orthogonal directions, and often require additional biasing members to maintain equilibrium positions, which can complicate design and functionality.
Innovation Solution
A servo valve design featuring a flapper that extends orthogonally through a conduit, with nozzles and fluid supply ports configured to allow fluid flow control between blocking and open positions, utilizing a solenoid coil and lever mechanism to move the flapper between these positions, and optionally a backup solenoid coil for reliability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a flapper is used to control fluid flow in existing servo valves, then fluid flow control is achieved, but additional biasing members are required to maintain equilibrium positions which complicates design
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the biasing member from the servo valve design. The flapper is no longer held in equilibrium position by a separate biasing member, but rather by the balanced fluid forces acting on the flapper itself when both nozzles are equally pressurized. This extraction of the biasing member simplifies the design while maintaining the equilibrium function.
Solution Approach 2:
The flapper serves its own biasing function through the balanced fluid pressures from the two nozzles. When both nozzles are equally pressurized, the equal and opposite forces on the flapper automatically maintain it in the equilibrium position without requiring an external biasing member. The system uses its own operating fluid to provide the biasing effect.
2Ease of operation
If conventional servo valve designs are used, then fluid flow control is provided, but control mechanisms for orthogonal directions are inefficient or absent
Solution Approach 1:
The flapper is oriented orthogonally to the nozzle axes, extending in a direction perpendicular to the fluid flow paths. This orthogonal arrangement allows the flapper to effectively block or open nozzle passages by moving perpendicular to the flow direction, providing more efficient control compared to conventional parallel arrangements.
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 fluid flow by allowing fluid to flow between supply and return ports through orthogonal movement of the flapper, maintaining equilibrium without additional biasing members, enhancing reliability and simplicity in servo valve operations.
Implementation Method 1
utilizing a solenoid coil and lever mechanism to move the flapper between these positions
Implementation Method 2
A servo valve design featuring a flapper that extends orthogonally through a conduit, with nozzles and fluid supply ports configured to allow fluid flow control between blocking and open positions
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
A servo valve (10) comprising a first fluid supply port (34), a fluid return port (38) and a conduit (40) therebetween, an elongated flapper (14) having a portion arranged in the conduit (40), and an actuator configured to move the flapper (14) in a direction orthogonal to a longitudinal axis of the flapper (14) between a first blocking position in which it blocks the conduit such that fluid cannot flow from the first fluid supply port to the fluid return port and an first open position in which the conduit is open such that fluid can flow from the first fluid supply port (34) to the fluid return port (38).