Mathematical modelling and characteristics of the pilot valve applied to a jet-pipe/deflector-jet servovalve

The accurate model of the jet-type valve, as the pilot control stage of a jet-pipe/deflector-jet servovalve, is of great significance to analyze and design a servovalve. However, the flow field in the jet-type valve is too complex to build an accurate mathematical model. In this paper, the collision between the liquid and the jet is supposed as the impact of jet on a moving piston, which makes a complex the fluid mechanical problem become simple. Based on this assumption, a model of the jet-type valve is developed in this paper. Unlike the previous models, the structural parameters, the distance between the jet-nozzle exit and receiving surface, the included angle between two receiver holes as well as the distance between two receiver holes, all can be considered in this model. To test and verify the theoretical model, the pressure and flow characteristic curves of a jet-type valve are given by the methods of flow filed numerical simulation and experiment.As shown by the verification results, the theoretical pressure characteristic curve is very approximate with the experimental data and numerical simulation, while the flow characteristic curves need to be modified and the modified model is valid. (C) 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.