Fluiconnecto with Fusion for Energy, Tamlink and Tampere University have designed and manufactured a digital hydraulic valve proposed as a new type of control system for the water hydraulic actuator. This technology paves the way for a more reliable, accurate and efficient motion control for transport, industrial processes and machining applications.
These digital valves have been designed for ITER to serve as a sturdier alternative to servo valves. The technology relies on a set of 16 fast, small and simple on-off valves working simultaneously. The valves are operated with a controller that calculates control signals based on references, measured values of pressures and actuator position or joint angle. This new control system is now relying not only on one valve, but also on a combination of various valves. As a result, there is a backup in case of a sudden system fail.
The major breakthrough consists in the new state-of the-art control performance of the digital valve system. The technology easily fulfills the requirements for positioning and slow and high velocity tracking. The capability of the digital valve system exceeds all requirements for tracking with accuracies approximately ten times better than with servo valves. This digital system also features a higher resistance compared to former hydraulic valves and offers the guarantee of continuity in case of failure.
The solution comes as a game changer in terms of motion control technology and could find many applications the fields of transport, aeronautics, construction, industry and machining (wherever there is a need for extra muscle to lift and move loads with precision).
For more information, please visit the Fusion for Energy page.
Keywords:
Digital valves – motion control technology