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Electrohydraulic Valves... A Technical Look
Electrohydraulic Valves... A Technical Look
Electrohydraulic Valves... A Technical Look
A Technical Look
ELECTROHYDRAULIC VALVE APPLICATIONS
ENGINEERING ASSISTANCE
Applications
Applications
Each of these applications involves precise control of a com-
plex structure, which in most cases is subject to varying loads
that can adversely affect performance. Moog products overcome
the structural and load variation effects through the principles
of feedback. Moog transducers measure the output, which could
be position, velocity, pressure or acceleration and send signals
to the machine controller.These signals are compared with the
desired output.The sensing and correcting on a continuous basis
results in optimum system performance.
2
ELECTROHYDRAULIC VALVE SELECTION GUIDE
Selection
Selection
1000
D665
500
400 D68X
D664
300
D663
79-200
200 79-200 HR
D662
100
70 72
FLOW WITH 1000 psi SERVOVALVE DROP - gpm
50
DDV VALVE
D661 79-100
40
30
D634
20
G761/D765 STD
D765 HR
10
7
D765 SHR
5
4
3
SERVOVALVE
2
1 G631
0.7 D633
0.5
0.4
0.3
0.2
5 7 10 20 30 40 50 70 100 200 300 400 500 700 1000
3
HOW TO SELECT A SERVO OR PROPORTIONAL VALVE
DETERMINE THE REQUIRED VALVE FLOW RATE AND KEY PARAMETERS FOR SERVO OR PROPORTIONAL
FREQUENCY RESPONSE VALVE SELECTION
a) In order to compensate for unknown forces, size the actuator Supply Pressure
area to produce a stall force 30% greater than the desired force Servovalve and ServoJet® Valves are intended to operate with
to the supply pressure available. constant supply pressure and require continuous pilot flow to
maintain the hydraulic bridge balance.The supply pressure should
where:
A = actuator area (in2) be set so that the pressure drop across the valve is equal to one-
third of the supply pressure.The flow capacity should include the
FR = force required to move continuous pilot flow to maintain the hydraulic bridge balance.
1.3 FR the load (lb) at maximum
A= Direct Drive Valve performance is constant no matter what the
PS velocity, ref. key parameters supply pressure.Therefore, they are good in systems with fluctuating
PS = supply pressure (psi) supply pressures.
Standard Moog Inc. valves will operate at supply pressures
Refer to the NFPA standard cylinder bore and rod sizes and from 200 to 3,000 psi. Optional valves for 50 to 5,000 psi
select the area closest to the result of the above calculations. operation are available. Refer to individual valve specifications.
b)From the maximum required loaded velocity and the actuator
area from the above calculation, determine the valve loaded Type of Fluid
flow and the load pressure drop. Moog Inc. valves operate most effectively with fluids that exhibit
a viscosity of 60 to 450 SUS at 100˚F. Due to the Servovalve oper-
where: ating range of -40˚F to 275˚F, care should be taken to assure fluid
QL = loaded flow (in3/sec)
QL = AXL viscosity does not exceed 6,000 SUS. In addition, fluid cleanliness is
XL = maximum required of prime importance and should be maintained at ISO DIS 4406
loaded velocity (in/sec) Code 16/13 max, 14/11 recommended. Consult the Moog Inc.
where: Filtration and Valve Series catalogs for recommendations.
FR PL = load pressure drop (psi) Fluid compatibility with material used in the construction
PL = of valves must be considered. Contact the factory for specific
A
information.
4
WL Dynamic Response
FL WL
TYPICAL BODE PLOT OF DYNAMIC RESPONSE
4 250
Degrees(˚)
225
FL 0 200
175
-4 150
Ø 125
FL = mWL -8
WL = weight of load (lb) 90
m = coefficient of friction 75
FL = mWLcosØ (lb) -12 50
25
-16 0
5 10 20 30 50 100 200 300 500
Hz
Force Due to Acceleration
The forces required to overcome inertia become very large A valve’s dynamic response can be easily determined by measuring
in high speed applications and are critical to valve sizing. the frequency at which the phase lag between the input current
and output flow reaches 90˚ (90˚ phase lag point).The frequency
response will vary with input signal amplitude, supply pressure,
where: and fluid temperature.Therefore, comparisons must use consis-
FA = Ma
M = mass (lb - sec2/in) tent data.The recommended peak-to-peak signal amplitude is 80%
VMAX a = acceleration (in/sec2) of the valve rated current. Servovalve and ServoJet® response will
a= WP = weight of piston (lb)
Ta improve somewhat with higher supply pressure, and generally
VMAX = maximum velocity (in/sec) depreciate at both high and low temperatures. Direct Drive Valve
WL + WP Ta = time period for response is independent of supply pressure.
M= acceleration (sec)
g WL = weight of load Load Resonant Frequency
Open loop control consists of a human operator monitoring the
Force Due to External Disturbances parameter (i.e., position or speed) and varying the input of the
These forces can be generated by constant or intermittent control valve to obtain the desired result. Closed loop control is
sources. capable of fast, more accurate control and requires a high perfor-
mance control valve. For optimum performance, the valves 90˚
phase point should exceed the load resonant frequency by a factor
EXTERNAL
FE COMPRESSION of three or more. Load resonance is determined by the overall
OR TENSILE
FORCE stiffness (KA), which is the combination of the hydraulic stiffness
(KO) and the structural stiffness (KS), given by:
DEFORMATION KO KS (lb/in)
FORCE FE KA =
PRESS KO + KS
CONSTANT INTERMITTENT The load resonant frequency for an equal area cylinder is given by:
where:
1 KO ƒN = load resonant frequency (Hz)
Force Due to Seal Friction ƒN =
2¹ M KO = hydraulic stiffness (lb/in)
Most valves are used on applications which employ some sort
of motion device.These motion devices usually utilize elastomer where:
seals to separate the various pressure chambers.The friction ß = bulk modulus of fluid used (psi)
between these seals and the moving parts acts as opposing force. 4s ßA A = working area of double ended
KO =
XT piston (in2)
XT = total piston stroke (in)
where:
FS = 0.1 F MAX
F = stall force (lb)
MAX
where:
s = actuator volumetric efficiency
AXm Xm = piston stroke used for
Standard practice involves setting seal friction at 10% of s = application (in)
V
the maximum force available, unless absolute values are known. V = total volume of fluid between
valve control ports and
the piston (in3)
5
ELECTROHYDRAULIC VALVE PILOT STAGE AND
SPOOL ACTUATION TECHNOLOGIES
NOZZLE FLAPPER TORQUE MOTOR DESCRIPTION
The ServoJet® pilot stage consists mainly of torque motor, jet pipe
and receiver.A current through the coil displaces the jet pipe
Annular Jet
Area
from its neutral position.This displacement, combined with the
Pipe
special shape of the jet pipe, directs a focused fluid jet towards
one side of the receiver.
Receiver The jet now produces a pressure difference across the ends
Nozzle
of the spool.This pressure difference causes a spool displacement
which, in turn, results in control port flow.The pilot stage drain is
through the annular area around the nozzle to tank.
6
TYPES OF SERVO SYSTEMS
and fed to the valve as an error signal.The signal shifts the valve POSITION TRANSDUCER
spool position, adjusting flow to the actuator until the position TYPICAL POSITION SERVO
output agrees with the command input.
the hydraulic motor. In the Servoamplifier, the command input is velocity feedback load
COMMAND
and a Servoamplifier (an Adjustable Metering Orifice may be GENERATOR
error
signal
valve
driver
The valve’s two output control ports are connected across SERVOVALVE
7
GENERAL TERMINOLOGY
Per SAE ARP 490
See Moog Technical Bulletin No. 117 for a complete discussion of Closed Loop and Valve terminology and test techniques.
ELECTRICAL
Terminology
Terminology
Units:
Recommended English and Metric units for expressing valve performance include the following:
CONVERSION
CATEGORY ENGLISH METRIC FACTORS
in3/sec (cis) liters/min (lpm) 0.98 lpm/cis
Fluid Flow 3.85 cis/gpm
gal/min (gpm) 3.78 lpm/gpm
Fluid Pressure lb/in2 (psi) bar 0.069 bar/psi
millimeters (mm) 25.4 mm/in
Dimensions inches (in)
micrometers (µm) 25400 µm/in
Weight pounds (lb) kilograms (kg) 0.454 kg/lb
Torque in-lb Newton meters (N-m) 0.113 N-m/in-lb
Temperature degrees Fahrenheit (˚F) degrees Celsius (˚C) ˚C = 5/9 (˚F – 32)
8
HYDRAULIC Valve Pressure Drop ÆPV – The sum of the differential
pressure across the control orifices of the valve spool, expressed
Control Flow QV – The flow through the valve control ports to in psi or bar.Valve pressure drop will equal the supply pressure,
the load expressed in in3/sec (cis), gal/min (gpm), or liters/min (lpm). minus the return pressure, minus the load pressure drop,
[ÆPV = (PS – R) – ÆPL].
Rated Flow QR – Servovalves are typically rated at 1,000 psi
drop, while Proportional Valves are rated at 150 psi drop.The
PERFORMANCE
flow under no-load condition, QNL, will vary with supply pressure
as shown in Figure 1.The relationship can be calculated by:
Linearity – The maximum deviation from control flow from the
where: best straight line of flow gain, expressed as percent of rated current.
QNL = no-load flow
Symmetry – The degree of equality between the flow gain of one
PS = supply pressure
P S
polarity and that of reversed polarity. Measured as the difference
Q =Q QR = Servovalve rated flow in flow gain for each polarity, expressed as percent of the greater.
ÆP
NL R
at 1,000 psi drop, P.V.
rated flow at 150 psi drop
Hysteresis – The difference in valve input currents required
ÆP = valve drop, typically 1,000 psi to produce the same valve output as the valve is slowly cycled
for Servovalves and 150 psi
for Proportional Valves between plus and minus rated current.
FIGURE 1
CHANGE IN RATED FLOW WITH PRESSURE Threshold – The increment of input current required to produce
200 a change in valve output.Valve threshold is usually measured as the
current increment required to change from an increasing output to
100
a decreasing output, expressed as percent of rated current.
ID
0 PS
50 100
40 g p m@ P S ID Lap – In a sliding spool valve, the relative axial position relationship
60 0
100 D
30
g p m @ 00 PSI between the fixed and moveable flow-metering edges within
40 1 0 D
20 g p m @ 00 PSI
30
p
10
m @ 1000 P D
SID the null region. Lap is measured as the total separation at zero
g
25 pm @ SI
00 P flow of straight line extensions of nearly straight portions of
10 20 g @ 10 PSID
g pm 1000
1 5
pm
@ the flow curve.
10 g
5 ID
0 PS
100
5.0
g pm
@
Pressure Gain – The change of load pressure drop with change
ID
0 PS of input current at zero control flow (control ports blocked),
@
100
p m
2.5
g expressed as nominal psi/mA or bar/mA throughout the range
1 0 PS
ID of load pressure between ±40% supply pressure.
@
100
g pm
1.0
0.5
Null – The condition where the valve supplies zero control flow
at zero load pressure drop.
Null Bias – The input current required to bring the valve to null,
0.1
100 200 500 1000 2000 3000 5000
excluding the effects of valve hysteresis, expressed as percent of
rated current.
Flow Gain – The normal relationship of control flow to input
Null Shift – The change in null bias resulting from changes in
current, expressed as cis/mA, gpm/mA, or lpm/mA.
operating conditions or environment, expressed as percent of
rated current.
No Load Flow – The control flow with zero load pressure drop,
expressed in cis, gpm, or lpm.
Frequency Response – The relationship of no-load control flow
to input current when the current is made to vary sinusoidally at
Internal Leakage – The total internal valve flow from pressure to return
constant amplitude over a range of frequencies. Frequency response
with zero control flow (usually measured with control ports blocked),
is expressed by the amplitude ratio in decibels (db) and phase
expressed in cis, gpm, or lpm. Leakage flow will vary with input current,
angle in degrees (˚) over a specific frequency range.
generally being a maximum at the zero level of null (called null leakage).
9
HYDRAULIC CHARACTERISTICS
Frequency Response: Servo or Proportional Valve frequency Internal Leakage: There are two sources of internal leakage;
response will vary with signal amplitude, supply pressure, and first, flow through the hydraulic amplifier (known as “tare flow”)
internal valve design parameters.The typical response varies with which is relatively constant, and second, flow around the spool
supply pressure as expressed by the change in frequency of the which varies with its position. Maximum internal leakage occurs
90˚ phase point, as shown in figure 2. Note that Direct Drive Valve at null. See individual Servo and Servo-Proportional Valve catalogs
response is independent of system pressure. for specifications.
Step Response: Servo or Proportional Valve step response will Spool Driving Forces: The maximum hydraulic force available
vary with amplitude, supply pressure and internal valve design to drive the second-stage spool will depend upon the supply
parameters. See individual series catalogs for specifications. Full pressure, multiplied by the end of the spool. In the case of
amplitude step responses will normally exhibit a straight line Direct Drive Valves, spool driving force is created by the linear
portion which represents flow saturation of the pilot stage.The force motor and does not change with supply pressure.
slope of this straight line portion will vary with the square root
of the change in supply pressure. Pressure Gain: A measure of the change in control port pressures
as the input current is varied about the zero flow point. Pressure
FIGURE 2 FIGURE 3 gain is measured against a blocked load under no flow conditions.
FREQUENCY RESPONSE CHANGE CHANGE IN CONTROL FLOW WITH Normally the pressure gain exceeds 30% of the supply pressure
WITH PRESSURE CURRENT AND LOAD PRESSURE
1.5 100
for 1% change in rated current and can be as high as 100%.
100% INPUT CURRENT
Fp natural frequency at other pressures
1.4 = 80
Fref natural frequency at 3,000 psi (210 bar) 75%
1.3 Null Bias: Input current to the valve required to adjust the
CONTROL FLOW–% RATED FLOW
60
1.2 50%
1.1
40 output to zero flow. Most Moog Inc. valves have mechanical
25%
Fp
1.0 20 adjustments which allow the null bias to be externally adjusted.
Fref 0.9 -100 -80 -60 -40 -20
-20 -40 -60 -80 -100
0.8 -20
25%
0.7
-40
0.6 50%
-60
0.5
75%
0.4 -80
100%
0.3 -100
0 1000 2000 3000 04000 5000 LOAD PRESSURE DROP–% SUPPLY PRESSURE
LINEAR SCALE SUPPLY PRESSURE (PSI)
10
PERFORMANCE CHARACTERISTICS
PERFORMANCE CHARACTERISTICS
Hysteresis: typically < 3% for servovalves, < .3% for proportional valves
Threshold: typically < .5% for servovalves, < .1% for proportional valves
Null Shift:
With temperature: 100˚F variation (56˚C) < ±2%
With acceleration: to 10 g < ±2%
With supply pressure: 1,000 psi change (70 bar) < ±2%
Characteristics
Characteristics FIGURE 4
80
N
AI
G
D
IE
60
IF
AI
EC
G
SP
D
IE
0%
IF
40
20
EC
CONTROL FLOW–% RATED
SP
%
50
20
-100 -80 -60 -40 -20
20 40 60 80 100
-20
0%
-40
20
20
%
50
-60
-20
-80 20
-100 -20
INPUT CURRENT–% RATED
11
ELECTRICAL CHARACTERISTICS
INTRODUCTION
Moog’s many electrohydraulic valve designs employ a number of Coil Connections: A four pin electrical connector that mates
different electrical connections. Mechanical Feedback Valves utilize with a MS3106R14S-2S or equivalent is standard. All four coil
the simplest electrical connections, while Electrical Feedback leads are available at the connector, allowing external connections
Valves can be more complex with different command signals, for signal, series, or parallel coil operation.
supply voltages and techniques to monitor actual spool position
being employed. All Moog valves can be segmented into the Servoamplifier: A Servovalve responds to input current.
following categories: Therefore, in order to reduce the effects of coil resistance
variations, a Servoamplifier with high internal impedance
(as obtained with current feedback) should be used.
Valve Style Electrical Connection Command Signal
Mechanical Feedback Servovalve 4 pin Current
Dither: A small amplitude, high frequency sinusoidal signal may
Electrical Feedback Servovalve 6+PE pin Voltage or Current
Direct Drive Servo-Proportional Valve 6+PE pin Voltage or Current
be used to reduce friction and hysteresis effects within the valve,
ServoJet® Servo-Proportional Valve 6+PE pin Voltage or Current
improving system performance. If used, the peak-to-peak ampli-
ServoJet® Servo-Proportional Valve 11+PE pin Voltage or Current tude should be less than 10% of rated signal. Since the desired
DDV Pilot Servo-Proportional Valve 6+PE pin Voltage or Current frequency is dependent on the valve style, consult factory for
DDV Pilot Servo-Proportional Valve 11+PE pin Voltage or Current recommended frequency.
ELECTRICAL CONNECTIONS
Connector MS3106R14S-2S Parallel Series Single
A B C D A B C D A B C D
Connectors for Valve Opening A and C (+) A (+), D (-) A (+), B (-)
P ➧ B,A ➧ T B and D (-) B and C connected or C (+), D (-)
12
ELECTRICAL FEEDBACK VALVE
ELECTRICAL CHARACTERISTICS
Supply Voltage: An electrical feedback always employs an 6+PE Electrical Configuration: Moog offers up to three
on-board position transducer and often times has the valve configurations of electrical connections for its Electric Feedback
control electronics on-board.Thus Electrical Feedback Valves Valves. See page 14 for details.They are available on:
require a supply voltage. Supply voltages for some models are
24 VDC (19 VDC min. and 32 VDC max.), while others require – Direct Drive Servo-Proportional Valves
±15 VDC (±3%). – ServoJet® Servo-Proportional Valves
– Electrical Feedback Servovalves
Input Signals: There are two basic options for command signals 11+PE Electrical Configuration: Moog also offers a
for Electric Feedback Valves – voltage and current. Each valve 11+PE connector for its D660, D680 and D691 Series Valves.
series may offer different options, so consult individual data sheets This connector allows additional monitoring of the valve,
for choices. For voltage commands, the spool stroke of the valve is including dequate supply voltage and position error logic.
proportional to differential input (VD and VE).The valve is opened See page 14 for details.
100% (opening P ➧ A and B ➧ T) by a maximum voltage (VD - VE)
command. A voltage command that is in the midpoint of the Shielding: All signal lines should be twisted pairs and shielded.
voltage command range results in the spool being centered. If Shielding connected radially to z (0 V), power supply side, and
only one command signal is available, pin D or E is connected to connecting to the mating connector housing (EMC) should
signal ground. For current commands, the spool stroke of the be used.
valves is proportional to ID or IE.The valve is opened 100%
(opening P ➧ A and B ➧ T ) by a maximum current (ID - IE). EMC: All Electrical Feedback Valves, that employ on-board
A current command that is in the midpoint of the current or integrated electronics; meet the requirements of
command range results in the spool being centered. EN 55011/3.91 class B, EN 50081-1/01.92, and EN 50082-
2/03.95 performance criterion class A.
Measuring Spool Position: Electric Feedback Valves permit
the monitoring of actual spool position by measuring the signal Explosion Proof: Valves are available with explosion proof
from pin F.The output signal can be either current or voltage. protection to EN 50018, class EEx d II C-C2H2T5.
Check individual valve series data sheets for specific options. The
amplitude of the output signal is proportional to spool position.
systems
systems
13
ELECTRICAL CHARACTERISTICS
C
Not Used
PE
Protective Grounding
14
ELECTRICAL FEEDBACK SERVOVALVES
6+PE Electrical Configuration
C
Supply/Signal Ground ^ (0 V)
PE
Protective Grounding
6
Output Actual Value V6-7: 0…±10.5 V
7 (differential) Ra: ca 20 k½
10
Not Used
15
NOZZLE FLAPPER SERVOVALVE OPERATION
➤
➤
➤
N N N N
Torque to Permanent
Rotate Magnet N S
Armature Attractive
Force
S S S S
Permanent
Magnet Coil Flux
Flux
➣ Armature and flapper rigidly joined and supported by thin-wall ➣ Spool slides in bushing (sleeve) or directly in body bore.
flexure sleeve.
➣ Bushing contains rectangular holes (slots) or annular grooves
➣ Fluid continuously flows from pressure PS, through both inlet that connect to supply pressure PS and tank T.
orifices, past nozzles into flapper chamber, through drain orifice
to tank T. ➣ At “null” spool is centered in bushing; spool lobes (lands) just
cover PS and T openings.
➣ Rotary motion of armature/flapper throttles flow through one
nozzle or the other. ➣ Spool motion to either side of null allows fluid to flow from PS
to one control port and from other control port to T.
➣ This diverts flow to one end of the spool.
FLAPPER
INLET FLEXURE
ORIFICE SLEEVE A B
PS PS
Spool Dispaced to Left
T
Ps T T Ps
A B
16
Operation
Operation
Valve Responding Valve Condition
to Change in Following Change
Electrical Input
N N N N
N S
S S S S
PS PS PS PS
T T T T
PS PS PS PS
OPERATION
➣ Electrical current in torque motor coils creates magnetic ➣ As feedback torque becomes equal to torque from magnetic
forces on ends of armature. forces, armature/flapper moves back to centered position.
➣ Armature and flapper assembly rotates about flexure sleeve ➣ Spool stops at a position where feedback spring torque
support. equals torque due to input current.
➣ Flapper closes off one nozzle and diverts flow to that end of ➣ Therefore, spool position is proportional to input current.
spool.
➣ With constant pressures, flow to load is proportional to
➣ Spool moves and opens PS to one control port; opens other spool position.
control port to T.
17
SERVOJET® SERVO-PROPORTIONAL VALVE OPERATION
➣ A current through the coil displaces the jet pipe from its
neutral position. This displacement, combined with the special
shape of the nozzle, directs a focused fluid jet from both
receivers towards one receiver.
Annular
Area
Nozzle
VALVE SPOOL
Receiver
18
OPERATION
X T A
a
➣ An electrical command signal (flow rate set point) is applied to
the integrated position controller which drives the valve coil.
➣ The current through the coil displaces the jet pipe from its
neutral position.
position voltage).
P B T2 Y
➣ The controller drives the pilot valve until the error between
command signal and spool position feedback signal is zero.
➣ A linear force motor is a permanent magnet differential motor. ➣ Spool slides in bushing (sleeve) or directly in body bore.
➣ The motor consists of a coil, pair of high energy rare earth ➣ Bushing contains rectangular holes (slots) or annular grooves
magnets, armature, and centering springs. that connect to supply pressure PS and tank T.
Permanent Magnets Centering Springs ➣ At “null,” spool is centered in bushing; spool lobes (lands)
just cover PS and T openings.
Coil Armature
P A T B X
N S S N
OPERATION
19
PRACTICAL CONSIDERATIONS WHEN LAYING OUT
ELECTROHYDRAULIC CONTROL SYSTEMS
1.Power Units
Pumps: – In the case where large changes of oil volume in the
Constant supply pressure is preferred with minimum reservoir occur, as with a single ended hydraulic cylinder,
variation. Use accumulators with variable displacement it is suggested that a 3 micron low pressure element be
pressure compensated pumps. Fixed displacement pump: used as an air breather.
constant pressure with use of accumulator is an option. – Always use dirt alarms/pressure switches to enable
– If more than one critical system is fed from one pump, changing of elements at correct intervals.
isolate each system with check valves and accumulators – Use cheaper low-pressure flushing elements to flush the
(avoids cross-talk). system on start-up – remember that new oil is “dirty oil,”
– Reservoir breather: 3 to 5 micron air filter preferred having picked up contaminant in transit and packaging.
with capacity appropriate to fluid displacement. – The tank volume should be flushed through the filter at
– Temperature and pressure should be closely controlled least 50 times, changing the element when indicated by the
if good long term control accuracy is critical. pressure switch (contaminate alarm), or until the system
– Fluid flowing over a relief valve represents wasted energy. has operated 6 to 8 hours without the need for a flushing
element change.
2.Piping and Fittings
Do not use pipe dope. (It contains fine, hard to filter, particulate.) 4. Servo and Proportional Valve –
Use TFE tape when necessary. Do not use pipe or pipe fittings. Characteristics of Major Importance:
– Use only correct tube cutting tools, no hacksaw. – Frequency response (time constant)
Deburr if necessary. – Threshold (resolution)/hysteresis
– Cold bending preferred. 4.1 Placement:
– Descale after hot bending and welding. – Mount as near as possible to the actuator to reduce
Rotating joints can generate contamination. the entrapped oil volume. Oil is compressible and can
– Flexible lines: if unavoidable use teflon, nylon or often limit servo response.
thermoplastic lined hoses rather than rubber (neoprene) – Flexible lines between valve and actuator can be
which eventually shed particles. Place flex lines before filter, rarely justified. As a rule of thumb they decrease
not after. stiffness to one-third of the volume that they contain.
– Use O-ring fittings rather than tapered pipe type. If pipe Additionally, they produce contamination which must
fittings cannot be avoided, use Teflon tape. pass through the valve. Use only nylon, teflon or
thermoplastic lined hose.
3. Filtration 4.2 Sizing:
The Moog filtration philosophy is summarized as follows: – Select the valve size to obtain between 1/4 and
– Use a 10 to 15 micron absolute non-bypass high pressure 1/3 system pressure (PS) drop across the valve at
filter just before the Servo or Proportional Valve. maximum velocity. If the drop across the valve is too
– Use a 3 micron low pressure filter in the return line, small, then a flow change will not take place until the
if possible. valve is nearly closed.
– Use a 3 to 5 micron low pressure filter in an off-line – Remember: to control flow the valve must drop
filtration loop. pressure across itself. Too large a valve is a waste, or
– Recirculate oil in reservoir more than 5 times per hour. worse than that, it lowers system resolution.
This is justified on the bias that:
(i) The Servo or Proportional Valve can accept the odd
particle up to 25 microns.
(ii) It is neither practical nor economical to try to clean
the oil with a small, relatively expensive, high pressure
element.The cheaper, low pressure element is many
times larger and has the potential to filter continually
and under more ideal conditions. (Steady flow and
lower velocities increase filtration efficiency.)
20
5.Actuator (cylinder/motor) 7.Servoamplifier
– Size the area for dynamic and static forces (remembering – The dynamics of the analog electronics are always better
the 1/4 to 1/3 PS requirement of the Servo or Proportional than the Servovalve and spring-mass system.Therefore, they
Valve in the dynamic case). can be neglected.
– Calculate the resonant frequency and adjust the actuator – Some digital systems, however, lack the level of dynamics
areas and valve size, if necessary, to optimize accuracy. that are needed. In order to see if this is a problem, check
(Increased area plus increased natural frequency improves the following:
accuracy.) (i) That the update rate of the PLC is a maximum of 20
– Recognize the 2% to 20% breakout friction of different times faster than the frequency of the valve.
seals and their effect on position resolution. (ii) That the update rate of a digital-to-analog converter,
– Manifolds should not contain air pockets. If they do, which is required for Electric Feedback Servovalves,
you cannot flush the air out of the manifold, leading to is faster than the valve. A rule of thumb is that the
a “soft” system. converter should be a minimum of 20 times faster,
– Keep the cylinder full area/rod end area ratio ² 2:1 to avoid and preferably 100 times faster than the 90˚ frequency
greatly differing extend and retract velocities. of the valve.
Note: (iii) Use of 12 and 16 bit digital-to-analog converters.
Anything slower could compromise the valves
extend velocity full area resolution.
= (iv) The last stage to the Servovalve is a current output.
retract velocity rod end area – Use of compensation techniques (Proportional, Integral
or Derivative) can be reviewed when selecting the
5.1 Actuator Connection to Load and Frame: Servoamplifier. (Note that 90% of position loops can be
– There should be no free play (a practical limit in a handled by a straight ‘P’ controller, and the simplicity of
position loop would be 3 to 10 times less than the set up and troubleshooting a ‘P’ controller is invaluable).
required position accuracy). – Avoid placing the amplifier close to electric motor
– The mechanical stiffness should normally be 3 to 10 controllers or other components that generate high
times higher than hydraulic stiffness to avoid degrading electromagnetic fields – consider shielding if necessary.
performance. – Interconnection to the command signal and feedback trans-
– Gearing down decreases inertia felt at actuator and hence ducer should use shielded cables to minimize interference.
increases natural frequency (and with it system response (Ground only the chassis end to prevent ground loops.)
and accuracy). However, gearing down could lower stiff-
ness and introduce play/backlash due to the gears. 8.Conclusion
To lay out a design for a Servosystem means taking care of
6.Feedback Transducer minimizing lags in the control chain. (In addition to the usual
Closes the loop and its characteristics are of paramount design requirements of strength, fatigue life, ease of mainte-
importance, e.g.: nance, ease/cost of manufacture, etc.)
– Linearity Lags may be caused by:
– Threshold (resolution) and hysteresis 1. Free-play/backlash/stick-slip
– Drift with temperature or time 2. Free-time constants of components
– Frequency response (it must be 3 to10 times faster than The time constant of the valve can be selected. However, the
the slowest element in the system). time constant of the actuator-mass system is dependent upon
6.1 Transducer Placement: the control of hydraulic and structural stiffness and the mass
– Placing at the actuator output eliminates many control of moving parts.
problems (by excluding secondary spring-mass systems and
play), but may not provide accuracy at the point required.
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ROUTINE MAINTENANCE FOR SERVO AND PROPORTIONAL VALVES
1. As a general rule, hydraulic components should not be 7. There are two considerations in filtration for Servo and
disturbed while they are operating normally. Proportional Valves.
– This rule particularly applies to Servo or Proportional 7.1 Particle Contamination:
Valves. Larger particles from approximately 40 microns and
– They should not be removed unless trouble-shooting has upwards can lodge in the Servovalves’ pilot stage filter
shown that they are malfunctioning. screen. Particles smaller will generally pass through.
– If the system must be “opened” (for example, adding This is a last chance filter and is not intended as a
new pipework, hoses, valves or actuators), then the valve system filter. See page 20 for filtration details.
should be removed, replaced by a flushing plate and the 7.2 Silt Contamination:
new system start-up procedure followed. This can, under certain circumstances, lead to seizure
of the main spool in the bushing. However, this is rare
2. If the valve must be removed, the area around the subplate due to the very high spool positioning forces employed.
should be thoroughly cleansed using non lint producing Silt does affect valve life by eroding the sharp metering
materials before raising the valve from the surface. edges on the valve spool and bushing.
– If the valve function is critical, a spare Servo or
Proportional Valve should always be held in stock.The 8. Contamination Control
spare should be fitted in place of the removed valve and Contamination enters the fluid at many points:
the shipping plate placed on the removed valve.The valve 8.1 New oil supplied from refineries contains noticeable
should be returned to Moog Inc. for service. A newly residue in the bottom of empty drums. Particles of 100
installed valve may develop a fault soon after fitting if care micron and larger are quite usual in new oil.
is not taken with cleanliness. 8.2 Filling Methods:
– Where no spare valve exists the surface should then be Contamination can enter via dirty funnels or other
covered by a clean plastic sheet so as to limit the possibil- unhygienic filling methods. Moog Inc. recommends a
ity of contaminants entering the system.The valve should transfer pump upstream of the 3 micron low pressure
be returned to Moog Inc. for service. filter. When in doubt, remove the valve, fit a flushing
block and flush the system out before refitting the valve.
3. Some valves are fitted with manual override operators. Most 8.3 Airborne Contaminants:
have null adjust screws. No other adjustments are possible Many factories have very dusty air in the vicinity of the
in the field, apart from the null adjustment.The style of this hydraulic power unit. Sometimes the dust is corrosive. In
adjustment varies with different valves. Consult individual systems with large air flows in and out of the reservoir,
valve series data sheets for details. Moog Inc. recommends a 3 micron breather filter.
8.4 Airborne contaminants are also collected on the rod
4. The torque motor is a precision device. Do not attempt to end of hydraulic cylinders and are drawn into the
remove or dismantle. Permanent and expensive damage can cylinder in varying amounts, depending on rod wiper
result. Likewise, do not try to remove the spool in the main efficiency.These are normally collected in the 3 micron
stage. Return the valve to Moog Inc. for service. low pressure filter.
8.5 Contaminants from rubber hose, teflon tape, metal silt
5. Moog Inc. will not partially repair a valve. Our policy is to particles from wearing valves, pumps, etc. all contribute
always return the valve to its original specification. In so doing to fluid contamination.
it will always be returned with a 24 month new valve warranty.
Maintenance
Maintenance
22
9. How often do I change the fluid? 11. Test Equipment.
Fluid change frequency depends on whether the filtration It is difficult to troubleshoot a closed loop system to isolate
quality is high, oil temperature is maintained at reasonable which components are faulty.The simplest way to check a valve
levels, moisture condensation is low, and the oil is not breaking is to use a valve tester. Moog offers valve testers for its valves.
down. Regular observations of oil color in the sight glass are Model M040-119 is for Mechanical Feedback Valves, while
sufficient for monitoring the condition of the fluid. If it remains our M040-104 Series is for both Electrical Feedback Valves
clear and machine operation is normal, do not change the with integrated electronics and Mechanical Feedback Valves.
fluid.There is no firm and fast rule for fluid change. Hydraulic These testers allow the valve to be driven with a controlled
system fluids are not like the oils in engines, as they are not command signal, either positive or negative, from an independent
subject to continuous chemical contamination. If the fluid is source. It allows the Servoactuator to be positioned or moved
scheduled to be changed at a time when filters are not about its stroke length and to observe proportionality between
showing indication of contamination, then leave the old filter command and speed. Measurement of the position feedback
elements in for one or two days before changing them for signal can be carried out at any point along the stroke.
new elements.Where the hydraulic power unit is dedicated
to the valve alone, it may be several years before an oil
change is necessary.Where the valve is fed from a larger
power unit which services other functions, a more frequent
change will be necessary.
23
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