Abstract:
A control actuation system for an aircraft including an electromechanically controlled, hydraulically powered actuator for driving a main control valve of a dual hydraulic servo-actuator control system. The actuator includes a tandem piston connected to the main control valve which is controllably positioned by a staged valve of relatively short stroke whereby a force motor of minimum size and energy requirements may be used to directly drive the valve. The staged valve includes a linearly movable valve plunger for simultaneously controlling the differential application of fluid pressure from respective hydraulic systems on opposed pressure surfaces of respective piston sections to cause movement of the piston in response to relatively short axial movement of the valve plunger as long as at least one hydraulic system remains operative. Also, the staged valve includes a fault control valve sleeve concentric with the valve plunger which, upon shut-down or failure of both hydraulic systems, moves linearly to render the valve plunger inoperative and release fluid pressure from opposed, corresponding pressure surfaces of the tandem piston to respective returns therefor through respective centering rate control orifices in the fault control valve sleeve as the piston is moved to a neutral position by a centering spring device acting on the main control valve.
Abstract:
A block valve (10) for selectively establishing and selectively blocking communication between a pressurized fluid supply (30), a fluid actuated device (DHSV) and a reservoir (35). The valve comprises a valve body (41, 42) with an inlet (81), an outlet (82) and a bleed port (83) and first and second piston-type plunger elements (61, 71) slidably mounted in piston chambers (51, 52) formed in the bore (43, 45) of the valve body. The second plunger element (71) is slidably mounted on the first plunger element (61) in sleeved relation therewith. Both plunger elements (61, 71) are continuously urged by springs (66, 75), respectively, to a first operating position wherein communication between the ports (81, 82, 83) is blocked by seal means (94, 95, 96) and blocking means (64) mounted on the plunger elements. Ports (49, 56) in the valve body are connected to a pilot pressure supply (12) whereby the plunger elements (61, 71) are simultaneously movable to second operating positions upon application of pilot pressure to the plunger elements. An annular chamber (91) formed by a reduction in diameter of the second plunger element is placed in communication between the inlet and outlet ports (81, 82) to establish communication therebetween and the seal means (94, 95, 96) are disposed so that communication is blocked between each of these ports and the bleed port (83). Upon interruption of the pilot supply (12), the pressurized pilot fluid is removed from the plunger elements but is removed from the plunger element (61) through a fluid delay circuit (98, 99) whereby the second plunger element (71) is returnable to its first operating position before the first plunger element (61) reaches its first operating position thus blocking communication between the inlet and outlet ports (81, 82) while opening communication between the outlet port (82) and bleed port (83) for a limited period. When the valve (10) is connected in a safety system to control the flow line (84) to a fluid actuator for a DHSV, the valve will respond to a shut-down signal from the safety system to permit the downhole actuator to completely bleed its pressure and allow the DHSV to completely close in this limited time period prior to establishing a positive block in the control line between the DHSV and the safety system.
Abstract:
A redundant control actuation system for an aircraft including an electro-mechanically controlled, hydraulically powered actuator for driving a main control valve of a servo-actuator control system. The actuator includes a tandem piston connected to the main control valve and a force motor driven tandem pilot valve axially movable in the piston for simultaneously controlling the differential application of fluid pressure from respective hydraulic systems on opposed pressure surfaces of respective piston sections to cause movement of the piston in response to relative axial movement of the pilot valve as long as at least one hydraulic system remains operative. The piston pressure surfaces are sized and arranged to minimize force unbalance on the piston due to pressure variations in the hydraulic systems. Also, a pilot valve centering spring device may be provided to minimize undesirable transient motions during system turn on and shut down. Upon failure or shut down of both hydraulic systems, a shut off valve sleeve concentric with the pilot valve moves axially in the piston to render the pilot valve inoperative and release fluid pressure from opposed, corresponding pressure surfaces of the piston sections to respective returns therefor through centering rate control orifices as the piston is moved to a neutral position by a centering spring device acting on the main control valve.
Abstract:
PCT No. PCT/US79/01033 Sec. 371 Date Nov. 29, 1979 Sec. 102(e) Date Nov. 29, 1979 PCT Filed Nov. 29, 1979Heretofore the capability of operating a system (10), which supplies fluid to a hydraulic circuit (12), selectively at either a high or a low flow rate with only a single pressurized fluid source (14) has not existed. Such a system (10) includes a control valve structure (16) for controlling delivery of fluid from the source (14) to drive the circuit (12) and a flow control (22) for metering a portion of the fluid to the circuit (12). The capability of operating such a system (10) selectively at either a high or a low flow rate is advantageous in some modes of operation of the circuit (12). Herein, hydraulic circuitry (86) serves for controlling the magnitude of the portion in response to application of a signal thereto and a device (78) is provided for selectively applying the signal to the circuitry (86) for selectively directly controlling the magnitude of the portion.
Abstract:
A fluid control device for the selective control of at least one group of three movable members each displaceable between a first working position and a second working position, and each having a rest position intermediate between the first and the second working position includes, for each group of three movable members, a group of three hydraulic control units, each control unit being intended to control a respective movable member, and control means for controlling the feeding of a fluid under pressure coming from a feed source to each of the three feed ducts of each group of three control units.
Abstract:
A pilot valve for reversing the flow of fluid in a pair of pipes. The valve is less complex than prior art devices serving the same purpose, comprising in essence four aligned rolling diaphragm devices which are automatically controlled by the presence, or absence, respectively of pilot pressure. If pilot pressure is present, a flow of fluid under pressure is established in one of two pipes and the other is vented. On the other hand, if pilot pressure is removed, the pipe in which a flow of fluid under pressure had been established is vented and a flow of fluid under pressure is established in the pipe which has been previously vented. The output of the pipe in which a flow of pressure is established may be used to operate and to reverse the operation of a cylinder and piston machine, such as, for instance, a pneumatic or fluid motor.
Abstract:
A control valve for controlling flow relative to a pair of control ports which includes a pair of 3-way valve components each having one of the control ports and a poppet valve member which, when closed in one position under pilot control, blocks pressure flow to a control port and connects the control port to reservoir, a pressure-reducing valve which initially operates to supply a relatively low pressure pilot fluid to a pilot control for the 3-way valves and, after operation of the latter, permit full line flow through a pair of branch passages each having a one-way check valve preventing return flow. Operation of the pilot control from a neutral position shifts one of a pair of pilot pistons associated one with each of the 3-way valves to move the poppet valve member of the associated 3-way valve to a position to close off the control port from line pressure and connect the same control port to reservoir and with line flow passing through a nonpiloted check valve to the other of said 3-way valves to the control port. The pilot control has a neutral control position wherein neither of the pilot pistons are actuated, with the result that each of the 3-way valves has its valve spool normally urged to a position closing off the pair of control ports from reservoir whereby, with the return flow blocked by a pair of non-piloted check valves, flow to and from said control ports is blocked and an operated device, such as a hydraulic cylinder, is locked in position.
Abstract:
A valve system for controlling the direction of flow of pressurized fluid. The valve system includes a valve housing, with an inlet port for receiving pressurized fluid therein, a first cylinder port and a second cylinder port. The housing is further constructed with first and second exhaust ports. Passageways connect the inlet port to the first cylinder port and to the second cylinder port. Passageways also extend from the first cylinder port to the first exhaust port and from the second cylinder port to the second exhaust port. A pair of pistons and corresponding poppet valves are slidable within the housing to control flow of fluid through the passageways. In one embodiment, the pistons and poppet valves are moved by communicating fluid pressure from the inlet port either above or below the pistons. In an alternative embodiment, the pistons and popper valves are mechanically actuated.
Abstract:
A reversing slide valve for a hydraulic motor is operated by a pilot slide in a common valve body with the main slide, the latter being biased toward an intermediate position by springs and entraining the pilot slide when moving from the intermediate to either terminal position. Friction rings prevent movement of the pilot slide with the main slide when the latter returns to its normal intermediate position under spring bias. The pilot slide directs pressure fluid to compartments in the valve body partly bounded by end faces of the main slide in such a manner that the main slide is moved from its intermediate position into the terminal position remote from the last-occupied terminal position whenever pressure fluid is supplied to the valve after an interruption of fluid supply.
Abstract:
A hydraulic interlock arrangement for ensuring that an inlet valve is closed before a discharge valve is opened, and vice versa, each inlet or discharge valve having a hydraulic piston-cylinder unit for actuating the same, a hydraulic pilot valve for operating the piston-cylinder unit and a blocking member for preventing actuation of the pilot valve, the first blocking member being connected to the pressure chamber of the second piston-cylinder unit, and vice versa, so that when the pressure chamber in one piston-cylinder unit is under pressure, the pilot valve of the other piston-cylinder unit cannot be actuated.