Research ArticleExperimental Study and Simulation Analysis on ElectromagneticCharacteristics and Dynamic Response of a New MiniatureDigital Valve

Meisheng Yang , Junhui Zhang , and Bing Xu

State Key Laboratory of Fluid Power and Mechatronic Systems, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China

Correspondence should be addressed to Junhui Zhang; benzjh@zju.edu.cn

Received 22 May 2018; Accepted 31 October 2018; Published 2 December 2018

Academic Editor: Jamal Berakdar

Copyright © 2018 Meisheng Yang et al. +is is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons AttributionLicense, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work isproperly cited.

In order to get the better electromagnetic characteristics of the micro digital valve, the larger electromagnetic force should beobtained in the smaller electromagnetic structure.+e electromagnetic force directly determines the electromagnetic properties ofthe miniature digital valve.+e electromagnetic force test is studied in the paper.+e results of electromagnetic simulation resultsare basically consistent with the experimental results. +e simulation model is reliable and accurate. +e dynamic simulationresults show that the dynamic characteristics of the miniature digital valve meet the requirements of the digital hydraulictechnology. Design of the new micro digital valve is reasonable.

1. Introduction

Digital hydraulics technology has a potential to replace theproportional technology and the servo technology becauseof their superior properties, such as low cost, reliability, andinsensitivity to contamination [1, 2]. Because the digitalhydraulic system is composed of many digital valves, the sizeof the system is bigger than that of the proportional systemand the servo system. +erefore, the size of a single valveshould be designed to be smaller to solve the problem. Inaddition, the micro high-speed digital valves are the keycomponents of the digital hydraulics system. Fast responseperformance of the micro high-speed digital valves directlyinfluences the control precision of the whole system. Elec-tromagnetic force decides the response performance of themicro high-speed digital valves. How to obtain largestelectromagnetic force in a smaller size is a key problem,which should be given more attention.

A large number of working mechanisms of electro-magnetic characteristics of the high-speed valves have beenstudied [3–5]. +rough selection of different soft magneticmaterials and structure parameters, larger magnetic force

and lower power losses have been achieved by Tao et al.[6]. Effects of electronic circuit on the magnetic field of asolenoid valve were studied by Angadi [7]. +e dynamicbehavior of two different micro valves was measured byLuharuka et al. [8]. +e dynamic response and powerlosses of high-speed solenoid injector were studied byCheng et al. [9] by using a simplified model. +e multi-physics modelling of a solenoid valve was established, andthe multiphysics network simulation was done byMutschler et al. [10]. +e dynamic response and the staticelectromagnetic characteristics of the solenoid valve werestudied by Wang et al. [11] by using the simulationmethod. +e effects of current on speed response of ahigh-speed valve were developed by Topcu et al. [12]. +eintegrated numerical-experimental approach which canbe used to examine both the mechanical and hydraulicperformance of the pilot valve was proposed by Ferrariet al. [13]. +e key factors of electromagnetic force of thesolenoid valve were researched by Liu et al. [14]. +ehighly accurate method for prediction of dynamic char-acteristics of a solenoid fuel injector was presented byAndo et al. [15]. Energy consumption of the solenoid

HindawiAdvances in Materials Science and EngineeringVolume 2018, Article ID 2378576, 8 pageshttps://doi.org/10.1155/2018/2378576

actuator and the in�uence of di�erent structure param-eters on the response time were studied by Lantela et al.[16].

According to the above literatures, it can be concludedthat electromagnetic force plays a key role in the micro high-speed digital valve. Structure parameters are crucial to theelectromagnetic force. Although the researchers have done alot of research work on electromagnetic force, they onlyfocused on di�erent driving parameters and structure pa-rameters. �e objective of this paper is to research elec-tromagnetic characteristics and dynamic response of thenew miniature digital valve. �e e�ects of di�erent pa-rameters on magnetic properties and dynamic response areanalyzed in the paper.

2. Miniature Digital Valve and Testing Rig

2.1. �e Novel Micro High-Speed Digital Valve. Unlike thetraditional digital valve, the new micro digital valve adoptsthe spring top arrangement, as shown in Figure 1. Comparedwith the traditional valve (as seen in Figure 2), this newdesign increases the magnetic �ux area and e�ectively im-proves the electromagnetic force. �e more detailed pa-rameters can be obtained in [17].

Fastener

Seal ringSpring

Spring rod Seal ring

Seal ring

Seal ring

Seal ring

Coil

Coil former

Seal ringMagnetic ring

Valves pool

Valve coneValves eat

14mm

42m

m12mm

Figure 1: Novel micro high-speed digital valve.

Fastener

Seal ring

Coil former

Magnetic ring

Spring

Valve cone

Valve shell

Seal ring

Seal ringSeal ring

Valves eatSeal ring

12mm

14mm

36m

m

Figure 2: Traditional micro high-speed digital valve.

Installation shell

Fastener

Valves eat

Valves pool

Valve shell

Coil

Magnetic ring

Coil former

Figure 3: Mesh model of the traditional valve.

Fastener

Valve seat

Coil former

Valves pool

Valve shell

Coil

Magnetic ring

Springrod seat

Figure 4: Mesh model of the novel valve.

2 Advances in Materials Science and Engineering

2.2. Simulation Setting. Accurate simulation models canmake our calculation more accurate. In order to verify theaccuracy of the model, we have adopted the verificationmethod between experiment and simulation. In the simu-lation, we use the finite element method in [11, 18]. +esimulation software of ANSYS Maxwell has been adopted tothe simulation study [11, 19]. +e grid models of the tra-ditional valve and the novel valve are shown in Figures 3 and4. In order to get more accurate simulation results, we usethe more refined grid. +e more detailed information andparameters of the simulation are obtained in Table 1 [17].

2.3. Testing Platform. +e testing platform of electromag-netic force was made up of the industrial personal computer,the current controller, the current collector, the control

panel, force transducer, and the host computer, as is seen inFigure 5. Figures 6(a) and 6(b) show all the components andthe whole structure of the micro high-speed digital valve.Electromagnetic force was transmitted from the valve spoolto the force transducer through the guide rod [17].

+e dynamic and static characteristics of the solenoidvalve are related to the magnitude of the electromagneticforce, the greater the electromagnetic force, the better thecharacteristics of the micro digital valve. Using theelectromagnetic force test platform, the test conditionscan be adjusted by changing the magnitude of excitationcurrent and air gap stroke. In order to verify the cor-rectness of the simulation model and settings, the elec-tromagnetic force of the miniature digital valve with0.9 A test current, 400 coil turns, and 0.1 mm air gapstroke is tested. +e simulation and test results are shown

Figure 5: Testing platform of electromagnetic force.

Table 1: Detailed information of Maxwell computation.

Item Classification Setting

Physical properties

ArmatureMaterial property DT4Outer diameter 5mm

Air gap 0.1mm

Coil

Material property CopperWinding type Standard

Turns VariableHeight of coil 14mm

Inner diameter of coil 7.5mmOuter diameter of coil 10mm

Other components Material property Al or 316 LMotion field Material property Air

Solving domain Material property AirInitial boundary Driven condition Direct current Variable

(a) (b)

Figure 6: Micro high-speed digital valve.

Advances in Materials Science and Engineering 3

in Figure 7. From Figure 7, it can be concluded thatelectromagnetic force rises along with the reduction ofthe air gap. �e error between simulation and experiment

is very small and less than 4 percent. �erefore, thesimulation is in agreement with the actual results, and thesimulation model is reasonable and correct.

2.9711e – 006

A(Wb/m)

2.7729e – 006

2.5747e – 006

2.3764e – 006

2.1782e – 006

1.9800e – 006

1.7818e – 006

1.5835e – 006

1.3853e – 006

1.1871e – 006

9.8885e – 007

7.9062e – 007

5.9239e – 007

3.9417e – 007

1.9594e – 007

(a)

A(Wb/m)

4.2585e – 006

3.9746e – 006

3.8909e – 006

3.4068e – 006

3.1229e – 006

2.8390e – 006

2.5551e – 006

2.2712e – 006

1.9873e – 006

1.7034e – 006

1.4195e – 006

1.1356e – 006

8.5170e – 007

5.6780e – 007

2.8390e – 007

(b)

Figure 8: Distribution of magnetic lines of force. (a) 0.8 A. (b) 1.2 A.

302928272625242422212019181716151413

0.00 0.01 0.02Air gap (mm)

Elec

trom

agne

tic fo

rce (

N)

0.03 0.04 0.05 0.06 0.07 0.08 0.09 0.10 0.11

Simulation data of the traditional valve

Simulation data of the new valveTest data of the traditional valve

Test data of the the valve

Figure 7: Simulation and testing comparison of electromagnetic force of the two valves.

4 Advances in Materials Science and Engineering

3. Simulation Results andAnalysis of Multiparameters

3.1. In�uence of Di�erent Currents. �e characteristics ofelectromagnetic �eld determine the magnitude of electro-magnetic force. �e greater the magnetic �eld line density ofelectromagnetic �eld, the greater is the intensity of elec-tromagnetic �eld. �e variation of magnetic line density andelectromagnetic �eld intensity under di�erent excitationcurrents is studied in this paper. As shown in Figure 8, theexcitation currents of 0.8A and 1.2A are taken, respectively,and the magnetic �eld lines of force are shown in Figures 8 (a)and 8(b); the magnetic induction intensity nephogram of theelectromagnetic �eld is shown in Figure 9. �e ohmic loss ofthe electromagnetic �eld of the two micro valves under thesame current is shown in Figure 10. As can be seen fromFigures 8 and 9, the magnetic line density and magnetic in-duction of the electromagnetic �eld rise with the increase of theexcitation current. �e ohmic loss of the new valve is smallerthan that of the traditional valve.

3.2.DynamicCharacteristics. �e current rising speed of theelectromagnet determines the dynamic characteristics of themicro solenoid valve. �e faster the current rising speed, thebetter the dynamic characteristics. �e rising speed of the

current depends on the inductance of the electromagnet, andthe inductance is related to the number of coils. As shown inFigure 11, as the number of coils increases, the in�ectionpoint of current rise appears more slowly, and when thecurrent is stable, the currents are the same.�is is because asthe number of coils increases, the inductance of the elec-tromagnet increases, impeding the rate of current change,thus reducing the rate of current rise. In order to obtain ahigher current rising speed, the number of coil coils shouldbe reduced appropriately.

�e motion speed, displacement, and electromagneticforce of di�erent coil loops are shown in Figures 12–14.Taking 1300 turns as an example, at 2.78ms, the electro-magnet begins to move with speed and displacement. At3.61ms, the speed reaches the maximum value, about1.02m/s. Since then, the velocity has decreased, and thevelocity has decreased to 0 at 3.74ms. Accordingly, thedisplacement has reached the maximum value of 0.3mm.

4. Conclusion

In this paper, the simulation results are in good agreementwith the experimental results of the miniature digital valve,and the simulation model is accurate. �e electromagneticcharacteristics and dynamic response are studied in thepaper. �e smaller the coil number and the smaller the

B (tesla)1.5491e + 000

1.4523e + 000

1.3555e + 000

1.2587e + 000

1.1618e + 000

1.0650e + 000

9.6820e – 001

8.7138e – 001

7.7456e – 001

6.7774e – 001

5.8092e – 001

4.8410e – 001

3.8728e – 001

2.9064e – 001

9.6820e – 002

0.0000e + 000

1.9364e – 001

(a)

B (tesla)2.2612e + 000

2.1199e + 000

1.9786e + 000

1.8372e + 000

1.6959e + 000

1.5546e + 000

1.4133e + 000

1.2719e + 000

1.2719e + 000

1.1306e + 001

9.8928e – 001

8.4796e – 001

7.0663e – 001

5.6531e – 001

2.8265e – 001

1.4133e – 001

1.3210e – 006

4.2398e – 001

(b)

Figure 9: Magnetic induction intensity. (a) 0.8 A. (b) 1.2 A.

Advances in Materials Science and Engineering 5

8.7966e + 005Ohmic loss (W/m3)

8.2468e + 005

7.6970e + 005

7.1473e + 005

6.5975e + 005

6.0477e + 005

5.4979e + 005

4.9481e + 005

4.3983e + 005

3.8485e + 005

3.2987e + 005

2.7489e + 005

2.1992e + 005

1.6494e + 005

1.0996e + 005

5.4979e + 004

0.0000e + 000

(a)

Ohmic loss (W/m3)

8.2635e + 005

8.6018e + 005

7.9401e + 005

7.2784e + 005

6.6168e + 005

5.9551e + 005

5.2934e + 005

4.6317e + 005

4.6317e + 005

3.9701e + 005

3.3084e + 005

2.6467e + 005

1.9850e + 005

1.3234e + 005

6.6168e + 004

0.0000e + 000

(b)

FIGURE 10: Energy nephogram. (a) 0.8 A. (b) 0.8 A.

0.40

0.35

0.30

0.25

0.20

0.15

0.10

0.05

0.000 1 2 3 4

Time (ms)

Curr

ent (

A)

5 6 7 8

1300r1350r1400r

1450r1500r

Figure 11: Current under di�erent coil turns.

1.41.31.21.11.00.90.80.70.60.50.40.30.20.10.0

2.50 2.75 3.00 3.50 3.75 4.00 4.25 4.50Time (ms)

Velo

city

(m/s

)

1300r1350r1400r

1450r1500r

3.25

Figure 12: Velocity under di�erent coil turns.

6 Advances in Materials Science and Engineering

inductance, the faster the current response of the electro-magnet. Correspondingly, the faster the speed, the greaterthe displacement. �erefore, under the same conditions, thecoil turns should be reasonably reduced to improve thedynamic characteristics of the micro digital valve.

Data Availability

�e data used to support the �ndings of this study areavailable from the corresponding author upon request.

Conflicts of Interest

�e authors declare no con�icts of interest.

Acknowledgments

�is work was supported by the National Natural ScienceFoundation of China (Nos. U1509204, 51475462, and91748210).

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325300275250225200175150125100

755025

02.50 2.75 3.00 3.25 3.50 3.75 4.00 4.25 4.50

Time (ms)

Posit

ion

(μm

)

1300r1350r1400r

1450r1500r

Figure 13: Position under di�erent coil turns.

20

18

16

14

12

10

8

6

4

2

00 1 2 3 4

Time (ms)

Elec

trom

agne

tic fo

rce (

N)

5 6 7 8

1300r1350r1400r

1450r1500r

Figure 14: Electromagnetic force under di�erent coil turns.

Advances in Materials Science and Engineering 7

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