Rotary Servo Valve Assembly for Precise Nozzle Flow Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing servo valve designs, such as the flapper and nozzle arrangement, require tight calibration and are heavy, complex, and limited in operational pressures and frequencies, necessitating a more efficient and simplified construction.
Innovation Solution
A servo valve assembly with a rotating shaft between nozzles, utilizing a biasing member like S-shaped springs and electromagnetic coils to control fluid communication through varying occlusion of nozzle outlet openings, allowing for improved fluid pressure management and reduced complexity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a flapper and nozzle arrangement is used, then accurate position control can be achieved, but the valve requires tight calibration tolerances and has complex construction
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the traditional flapper and nozzle mechanical arrangement with a rotary valve design featuring a rotating shaft with occluding elements. This substitution simplifies the mechanical construction while maintaining the ability to control fluid flow and achieve accurate position control through rotational positioning.
Solution Approach 2:
The rotary valve incorporates multiple occluding elements (first and second occluding elements) on the rotating shaft, each controlling separate fluid passages. This segmentation allows independent control of different fluid streams while using a single rotating component, reducing overall construction complexity compared to multiple flapper-nozzle assemblies.
2Measurement precision
If flapper and nozzle spacing is reduced for better control, then position accuracy improves, but manufacturing tolerances become tighter and more difficult to achieve
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from linear spacing control in a flapper-nozzle arrangement to rotational angular positioning in a rotary valve. The occluding elements control fluid passages through rotational angle rather than linear distance, allowing position accuracy to be achieved through angular resolution rather than tight linear tolerances on spacing.
3Ease of manufacture
If the servo valve design is simplified, then manufacturing and operation become easier, but operational pressures and frequencies may be limited
Solution Approach 1:
The rotary valve design incorporates direct fluid passage control through the rotating shaft, where occluding elements open and close fluid passages during rotation. This pneumatic/hydraulic approach allows the simplified mechanical structure to effectively manage high operational pressures and frequencies by directly controlling fluid flow paths without complex intermediary mechanisms.
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 enhances precision, reduces weight and complexity, and increases operational pressures and frequencies by selectively controlling fluid communication through the shaft's rotation, addressing the limitations of traditional servo valves.
Implementation Method 1
The coil and the shaft are configured to generate an electromagnetic force that rotates the shaft when the coil is energised with an electric current
Implementation Method 2
a biasing member configured to provide a biasing force that rotates the shaft towards a neutral position
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A~6
Figure 2B
AI summary
The present disclosure provides a servo valve assembly (100) comprising a first nozzle (114a) opposing a second nozzle (114b) and a shaft (120) positioned in the gap between the first and second nozzles (114a, 114b). The first and second nozzles (114a, 114b) are spaced apart by a gap and each nozzle (114a, 114b) has an outlet opening (116a, 116b). The shaft (120) defines a diameter (D) and a circumferential surface (121) and is rotatable about an axis of rotation (R-R). The shaft (120) defines first and second reduced radial portions (124a, 124b) around its circumferential surface (121), and the first and second reduced radial portions (124a, 124b) are in fluid communication with the first and second nozzle outlet openings (116a, 116b), respectively. The shaft (120) is configured to rotate between a first position where the first nozzle outlet opening (116a) is more occluded by the shaft circumferential surface (121) than the second nozzle outlet opening (116b), and a second position where the first nozzle outlet opening (116a) is less occluded by the shaft circumferential surface (121) than the second nozzle outlet opening (116b). A servo valve and method is also disclosed.