Project / Leader: 1E - Prof. Perry Li (UMN)
Title: On-Off Meter-less Valve Control
Project Goal:
This project will develop ways to control fluid power using valves that switch between on and off quickly. Using on/off valves will result in more efficient fluid power systems.
What is the problem?
In most fluid power systems, we want to control the speed or the force of some device. Currently, this is accomplished with throttling valves, which are usually only partially open. Much like the fact that it takes more work (wasted energy) to breath if you purse your lips into a small opening, energy is wasted when using partially open valves. This means that the system uses more energy to accomplish its task.
What are we doing to solve the problem?
Instead of using partially open valves, we use valves that are either fully open or fully closed. The valve is most efficient in these two positions. By switching the valves on and off quickly, the system can look like the average between the on-time and off-time. For example, if we open the valve for 0.01 seconds and then close it for 0.01 seconds, and do this repeatedly, over a long time (like 1 second) the valve will look like it is half open. However, at each time, the valve is in its most efficient state.
