Proportional Control Valve Circuits
The spool in a standard 2-position-solenoid-operated valve shifts all the way to its new position at high speed. (Hence the nickname: bang-bang solenoid.) This rapid, full shift can cause an actuator to jump or lunge on start up and produce excessive shock when stopping. Pressure spikes and shock are noisy, may cause machine damage, and can adversely affect piping, causing leaks.
A soft-shift solenoid with hydraulically dampened spool movement slows the rate of shift and reduces shock in some applications. However, many machines need a variable shifting rate to match changing power and work requirements. Soft-shift solenoids with variable flow controls offer more range and give better control for some circuits.
Other options include valves with specially designed flow controls and spool-stroke adjusters set for a specific machine function. This type of variable valve works on some machines, but requires many precision adjustments to attain the wanted actuator control.
Variable-volume, bi-directional pumps in closed-loop circuits give very smooth action, but are limited to operating a single actuator. For extremely accurate control, a servovalve with actuator feedback is the ultimate motion controller. In between a servo circuit and the other controls mentioned above are proportional valves.
Proportional valves are well suited for circuits that need to vary either flow or pressure to reduce lunge and shock. The solenoids on these valves shift the spool more or less, According to the voltage applied to proportional solenoids, they can change the speed at which the spool shifts or the distance that it travels. Because the spool in a proportional valve does not shift all the way, all at once, the valves can control the acceleration and deceleration of an actuator. Usually, varying shifting time of the spool controls acceleration and deceleration. Varying voltage to the coil limits spool travel to control the maximum speed of an actuator. A computer, a PC, a programmable logic controller, or even a simple rheostat can produce the variable electric signal.
If flow is low (less than 20 to 25 gpm), use a direct solenoid-operated proportional valve, such as shown in Figure 14-1. Direct-operated valves are smaller and less expensive than solenoid- pilot valves. However, solenoid-pilot proportional valves can handle higher flows — some in excess of 200 gpm. Figure 14-2 shows the simplified symbol for a solenoid pilot-operated proportional valve. Figure 14-3 shows the complete symbol for the same valve. The complete symbol includes details of the control and slave valves, the reducing valve in the pilot circuit, and the routing of the pilot lines.
A simple proportional valve depends on solenoid force working against a spring to position the spool. Because flow, pressure, temperature, and fluid cleanliness change constantly, a given input voltage may not always produce the same spool position. To resolve spool position accuracy, use a linear variable differential transformer (LVDT), such as shown in Figures 14-2 through 14-5. An LVDT electronically compares the input signal with spool position and modifies voltage to give the same spool position regardless of system changes. An LVDT adds cost to the valve and the electronics, but is usually necessary in all but simple acceleration/deceleration circuits.
An LVDT does not control repeatability of flow through the valve because flow is a function of pressure drop and fluid viscosity as well as orifice size. Changes in pressure or fluid thickness will modify actuator speed. To reduce speed change, add a feedback signal from the actuator (similar to a servovalve circuit). Actuator feedback will help but is still not extremely accurate because most proportional valves do not respond quickly enough to overcome sudden system changes.
In Figure 14-5, the pressure-compensating valve in the inlet line reduces flow fluctuations due to system pressure changes. The pressure compensator maintains a constant pressure drop across the spool orifice to keep flow constant when inlet or working pressures change. The pressure compensator is a reducing valve that has a fixed spring setting (say 150 psi). A shuttle valve provides pressure feedback from each cylinder port to the reducing valve’s remote-control port. As pressure in a working port changes, it modifies reducing-valve pressure to maintain a constant 150-psi drop across the proportional valve’s spool.
Using electrical signals to a proportional solenoid to vary the force against a poppet or orifice allows infinitely variable control of pressure. Figures 14-6 and 14-7 show symbols for infinitely variable pressure-relief and reducing valves. Use a PC or PLC to produce the variable signal to change pressure any time the machine sequence requires it.
Remote control of a pressure-compensated pump with a proportional pressure valve makes these pumps more versatile also.
Figure 14-8 depicts the symbol for a slip-in cartridge relief valve. When flows go above 150 to 200 gpm, use a slip-in cartridge relief valve with a direct-acting proportional relief pilot. These cartridge valves come in stand-alone bodies or as part of a special high-flow manifold.
Proportional directional control valves are more tolerant of contamination and cost less than the servovalves that they often replace. When a circuit does not require extreme accuracy or flow repeatability, the savings in first cost, plus a less-expensive filtration requirement, make proportional valves a good choice.
One reason a servosystem is more accurate is the electronic feedback signal from the actuator. The feedback signal modifies the servovalve’s spool position to put the actuator in an exact place, or produce the speed or force that the controller requires. A proportional valve may have feedback control, but the response time of the valve is too slow to get the precise control that a servovalve circuit provides.
Figure 14-9 depicts a proportional valve used for a throttle function. This valve is an infinitely variable, electrically controlled flow control. As coil voltage increases, the spool shifts farther to increase flow. The symbol in Figure 14-9 shows the valve piped for a single flow path. Dual flow paths shown in Figure 14-10 give twice the flow at the same pressure drop in either flow path. Use the throttle valve shown in Figure 14-10 to control flow in a bleed-off or bypass circuit, or to control flow to or from a conventional solenoid valve.
The throttle function varies flow to an actuator that needs frequent or constant adjustment. Also use a throttle valve and a conventional directional valve to give smooth acceleration and deceleration of a cylinder to eliminate shock.
A throttle valve in the tank line of a conventional solenoid valve controls actuator speed in a meter-out configuration. The actuator cannot run away with a throttle valve at this location. Make sure the directional valve can withstand any backpressure in the tank line that is greater than the circuit produces.
One throttle valve in the main pump line can vary the speed to one actuator or several that cycle at different times. This type of circuit is less expensive but requires a more-complex electrical control circuit.
The throttle valve configuration in Figure 14-10 gives infinitely variable flow. Adding the hydro stat module to the pump line keeps the pressure drop across the orifices constant. With a constant pressure drop, flow does not fluctuate. Because the 4-way valve never sees reverse flow, both flow paths can supply the circuit. Either flow path has a nominal pressure drop at a specified flow. This arrangement gives twice rated flow without excess pressure drop or heat.
The parallel flow path module comes with all flow paths internally drilled and sized to keep pressure drop to a minimum. This module is available in D03 and D05 sizes for flows up to approximately 50 gpm.
Use proportional control valves to reduce shock and give a finer degree of control to circuits that do not require extreme position accuracy, or repeatable speed and force.
Proportional valves restrict flow to and from an actuator. They work best with a pressure-compensated pump in a closed-center circuit. An accumulator in the circuit enhances cycle response time and protects the pump from pressure spikes. Systems that use proportional valves usually require a heat exchanger because energy waste is higher with this type circuit.
The following sections describe a few more circuits — with some pointers for using proportional valves in several applications. Always remember to size the valves for maximum flow and pressure drop to get optimum response and repeatability from the circuit.