Semi-empirical model for a hydraulic servo-solenoid valve

High-performance proportional valves, also called servo-solenoid valves, can be used today in closed-loop applications that previously were only possible with servo-valves. The valve spool motion is controlled in a closed loop with a dedicated hardware controller that enhances the valve frequency response and minimizes some non-linear effects. Owing to their lower cost and maintenance requirements as well as increasing performance they can compete with servo-valves in a large number of applications. This paper describes a new semi-empirical modelling approach for hydraulic proportional spool valves to be used in hardware-in-the-loop simulation experiments. The developed models use either data sheet or experimental values to fit the model parameters in order to reproduce both static (pressure gain, leakage flowrate and flow gain) and dynamic (frequency response) valve characteristics. Valve behaviour is divided into two parts: the static behaviour and the dynamic behaviour. A parameter decoupled model, with a variable equation structure, and a flexible model, with a fixed equation structure, are proposed for the static part. Spool dynamics are modelled by a non-linear second-order system, with limited velocity and acceleration, the parameters being adjusted using optimization techniques.