Mathematical modelling and experimental characterization of a high dynamic servo valve integrated with piezoelectric actuator

A conventional two-stage servo valve basically consists of an electrically operated torque motor as the first stage and spool valve as the second stage. Owing to the limitation in the band width, servo valves are not suitable for high-frequency applications. The work presented in this paper deals with the methodology of the mechatronics approach for the design of a piezoelectric actuator with a mechanical amplifier and its integration into a servo valve. The analysis and simulation of a multilayer piezoelectric actuator (MLA) a with mechanical amplifier for high-frequency application has been done using icon-based bond graph technique and finite element coupled field analysis for the commercially available piezoelectric actuator. The designed piezoelectric actuator was integrated into an existing flapper-nozzle servo valve by replacing the first stage. The dynamics of the valve integrated into a piezoelectric actuator has been simulated. The required simulation parameters for the actuator have been derived from a finite element model. An experimental set-up has been designed and the integrated testing of the servo valve with piezoelectric actuator has been carried out to determine the no-load flow gain of the valve. Also the time response has been measured for a conventional servo valve and servo valve with piezoelectric actuator. The designed valve with a piezoelectric actuator has satisfactory static and dynamic characteristics for high-speed applications.