Reduction of steady flow torques in a single-stage rotary servo valve

In this paper, geometry optimization of spool is proposed to reduce the steady flow torques in a single-stage rotary servo valve. The steady flow torques under different spool structures are studied by computational fluid dynamics simulation and experimental test and the most effective spool structure is found out. Then, the effects of geometry parameters on the steady flow torques are studied and an optimized solution for reduction of the steady flow torques is suggested by considering the optimization qualities and production costs. The results show that modification of the geometry of spool can make the jet angle at the orifices much closer to 90°, with almost no effect on the flow rate. Processing annular groove in the spool land with increased number of grooves on one side of the spool land is an effective way to reduce the steady flow torques. The maximum value of steady flow torques reduces with a gradual decrease in reduction as the external diameter of annular groove and the number of grooves increase. With the optimized spool structure, the maximum value of steady flow torques can be reduced significantly.