Spool Valve Multi-Path Flow Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing spool valves in hydraulic systems face limitations in fluid flow control, particularly in proportional and switching applications, as they often restrict fluid flow to a single path, limiting the efficiency of hydraulic actuators like cylinders and motors.
Innovation Solution
The design introduces a spool valve with a central sealing land and outside sealing lands, allowing fluid to flow simultaneously into both work galleries and tank galleries, enhancing fluid flow capacity without increasing valve size, and incorporating solenoids for axial displacement to control fluid paths.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If a conventional spool valve is used to control hydraulic fluid flow, then the valve structure is simple, but the fluid flow capacity is limited to single path flow
Solution Approach 1:
The spool is divided into multiple functional segments with distinct sealing lands (first sealing land, second sealing land, third sealing land) positioned at different axial locations. Each sealing land controls flow to different galleries, enabling multi-path fluid flow capability through segmented functional zones on a single spool component.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from single-path to multi-path flow by utilizing the axial dimension of the spool. Multiple sealing lands are positioned at different axial locations, creating parallel flow paths through first, second, and third work galleries simultaneously, thereby increasing fluid flow capacity without proportionally increasing valve size.
2Productivity
If a spool valve allows simultaneous flow to both work galleries, then the efficiency of hydraulic actuators is improved, but the valve size would typically need to increase
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple flow control functions are merged into a single spool component. The first, second, and third sealing lands on one spool simultaneously control flow to multiple work galleries, combining what would traditionally require multiple separate valve components into a single integrated unit, thereby maintaining compact size while enabling simultaneous multi-path flow.
Solution Approach 2:
The spool is designed as a multi-functional component where a single axial movement position simultaneously controls multiple fluid flow paths. The sealing lands are positioned to enable the spool to regulate flow to first, second, and third work galleries in various combinations, providing universal flow control capability for multiple hydraulic actuators.
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 configuration increases fluid flow rate by enabling simultaneous supply to both service ports of a hydraulic cylinder and drainage into tanks, improving the efficiency of hydraulic actuators without the need for two-stage valves, while maintaining compact size.
Implementation Method 1
The valve further includes first and second tank galleries, and a second sealing relationship between the spool and the bore allows fluid to flow from the first and second work galleries into the first and second tank galleries simultaneously.
Data Source
AI summary
A valve includes a bore within a valve body having a central axis. A plurality of galleries in the bore define flow paths for hydraulic fluid. A spool is positioned in the bore, and the spool is moveable along the central axis between a first position in which hydraulic fluid from a central pump gallery is prevented from flowing to first and second working galleries and from flowing to one or more tank galleries; a second position in which hydraulic fluid from the central pump gallery is in fluid communication with both the first and second working galleries simultaneously; and a third position in which the first and second working galleries are in fluid communication with the one or more tank galleries simultaneously.