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High Bandwidth, Hot Gas and Liquid, Rotary Proportional Valves
Inventors at Vanderbilt University have developed a high performance rotary servo valve to be used with hot/cold liquids and gases. This valve can be directly actuated by a rotary servo motor, eliminating the need for linear actuating devices. It exhibits a compact design that allows for increased control, precision, and efficiency.
Challenges with Conventional Servo Valves
• Conventional servo valves are often linear motion devices that lack precision, resulting in decreased performance
• Conventional valve configurations are bulky and increase the cost of the linear actuator but are required in order to make an efficient flow system
The technology is a high bandwidth valve that can be directly actuated by a rotary servo motor such as a DC servo motor. This direct actuation eliminates the need for large linear actuators that lack precision, have low performance, and are expensive. Additionally, this direct actuation provides enhanced sensing due to easily integrated encoders and tachometers. The valve design is compact and enables high-bandwidth control of material flow during liquid or gas routing, enhancing the performance of the system. A gearhead can be easily integrated into the configuration to efficiently deliver torque for hydraulic and pneumatic systems.
• Control of liquid or gas material flow
• Delivering torque for hydraulic and pneumatic systems
Unique Properties and Competitive Advantages
• Rotary servo valves can be directly actuated using a rotary servo motor (opposed to the linear actuator)
• Rotary configuration enables integrated sensors and gearheads into servo actuators for increased sensing and torque delivery (compared to linear actuators)
• Accurate control of fluid flow (e.g.: liquids/hot gas at 500° F)
• Compact spool design decreases rotational inertia
• 4-way design only needs 4 ports (opposed to traditionally 5 ports)
• Geometric configuration causes low distortion thermal expansion
• Low torque activation required and reduced friction
Intellectual Property Status
US Patent 7,322,375 issued January 29, 2008.
K. Fite, J. Mitchell, E. J. Barth, M. Goldfarb. "Design and Characterization of a Rotary Actuated Hot Gas Servovalve". 2004 ASME International Mechanical Engineering Congress and Exposition (IMECE), IMECE2004-59727, November 13-19, 2004, Anaheim, CA.
For more information and publications visit: http://research.vuse.vanderbilt.edu/cim/index.html
Inventors:Eric BarthMichael GoldfarbKevin FiteJason Mitchell