Servovalve Internal Spool Fluid Supply
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional servovalves face challenges in handling large fluid flows while maintaining a compact design, being less vulnerable to contamination and leakage, especially in applications requiring high flow rates and varying pressures and temperatures.
Innovation Solution
A servovalve design featuring a fluid transfer valve assembly with a moveable spool and a jet pipe assembly having a steerable nozzle, where the jet pipe is secured within the spool and fluid is supplied internally, eliminating the need for external supply pipes and reducing the risk of leakage and contamination.
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 complexity and size increase due to external supply pipes and additional joints
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the fluid supply function with the jet pipe assembly by providing fluid supply to the jet pipe through the spool itself. The spool acts as both the flow control element and the fluid supply conduit, eliminating the need for separate external supply pipes and reducing the number of joints and connections in the system.
Solution Approach 2:
The spool is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: it serves as the flow control element that regulates fluid flow, as the fluid supply conduit that delivers fluid to the jet pipe, and as the structural component that houses the jet pipe assembly. This multi-functionality reduces overall device complexity while maintaining large flow capacity.
2Ease of manufacture
If external supply pipes are used for jet pipe systems, then fluid supply is simplified, but reliability decreases due to vulnerable external pipes and potential leakage points
Solution Approach 1:
The fluid supply pathway is merged with the internal spool structure, eliminating external supply pipes that are vulnerable to damage and leakage. The spool itself becomes the supply conduit, creating a more reliable integrated system with fewer potential failure points.
Solution Approach 2:
The jet pipe is nested within the spool structure, with the fluid supply pathway integrated inside the spool. This nested arrangement protects the fluid supply pathway from external damage and eliminates exposed external pipes, thereby improving reliability while maintaining ease of fluid supply.
3Quantity of substance
If larger valve orifices are used to handle large flows, then flow capacity is improved, but device size increases making the design less compact
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a jet pipe configuration where fluid is directed as a focused jet onto the spool to control its position. This hydraulic approach allows for efficient flow control with smaller orifices compared to conventional valve designs, as the jet creates high-velocity flow that effectively moves the spool with minimal cross-sectional area.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the flow parameters by using a focused jet stream with high velocity rather than large cross-sectional area. By converting flow capacity requirements from area-based to velocity-based control, the valve can handle large flows through smaller orifices, maintaining a compact design.
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
The solution enables efficient handling of large fluid flows with a compact and robust design, reducing the risk of leakage and contamination, and minimizing the number of components and connections, thus enhancing reliability and performance.
Implementation Method 1
the jet pipe assembly comprises a jet pipe having a steerable nozzle from which fluid is directed at an angle to one side of the spool more than the other to cause the spool to shift
Data Source
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AI summary
A servovalve comprising: a fluid transfer valve assembly 5 comprising a supply port 14 and a control port 15; a moveable valve spool 4 arranged to regulate flow of fluid from the supply port 14 to the control port 15 in response to a control signal; and a jet pipe assembly 18',19' configured to direct fluid to the ends of the spool to axially move the valve spool 4 relative to the fluid transfer assembly 5 in response to the control signal to regulate the fluid flow; wherein the jet pipe assembly comprises a jet pipe 18' extending into the interior of the spool and a connector header 30 fluidly connecting the jet pipe to a nozzle 19' via which fluid is directed to the spool ends; and wherein one or more openings 28 is provided in the spool such that fluid from the supply port flows into the interior of the spool and into the jet pipe and to the nozzle via the connector header 30