2-Way Directional Valve (G)
Two-line distribution valve in the gas network.
Description
The 2-Way Directional Valve (G) unit is a valve with two ports A and B and one channel A-B. The channel passes through a variable width port. The input signal applied to port S controls the position of the spool valve. The valve closes when the spool closes the orifice.
Flow can be laminar or turbulent and can reach sonic velocities. Maximum velocity is reached at the neck of the valve orifice where the flow is narrowest and fastest. The flow becomes critical when the ratio of outlet pressure to inlet pressure reaches a critical value specific to the valve. The unit does not calculate supersonic flow.
Valve positions
The valve switches smoothly between normal and operating positions.
When the value of the spool movement in the S port is zero, the valve returns to the normal position, in which it is not operating. If the spool piston is not displaced relative to the valve port, the valve is fully closed. The operating position is the position to which the valve moves when the spool is moved as far as possible in the positive direction from the normal position. In this case the orifice is fully open.
The spool movement that moves the valve to the operating position depends on the movement of the spool piston. The Valve opening fraction offset parameter sets a constant value to determine the spool movement at the ports.
Valve opening fraction offset
Between valve positions, the A-B port opening depends on where the spool piston is located relative to the rim. This distance is the orifice opening, and the block normalises this distance so that its value is a fraction of the maximum distance at which the orifice is fully open. The normalised variable is the degree to which the orifice is open.
The degree of opening of the hole can range from 0
(normal position), to 1
(operating position). The unit calculates the degree of orifice opening based on the spool movement and the offset of the degree of orifice opening. The displacement and offset are infinitesimal fractions of the maximum piston-to-hole distance. The degree of bore opening is:
where
-
- is the degree of opening of the hole A-B. If the calculation returns a value outside the
[0, 1]
range, the block uses the nearest limit; -
- orifice opening fraction offset, the value of the Valve opening fraction offset parameter. To account for unusual valve configurations, the block does not impose limits on their values, although they are usually between
-1
and1
; -
- is the normalised spool displacement defined as a scalar on the S port. To compensate for extreme shifts in the degree of opening of the port, the value of the signal is unconstrained. Typically, this value is in the range of
0
to1
.
Hole Opening Degree Offset
By default, the valve is fully closed when its control travel is zero. In this state, the valve has zero overlap.
You can shift the spool piston to simulate a valve with partial or full overlap. Partially overlapped valves are partially open in the normal position. Fully overlapped valves are fully closed slightly beyond the normal position. The illustration shows how the degrees of orifice opening change depending on the spool movement:
-
Image I: Valve without overlap. The displacement of the orifice opening degree is zero. When the valve is in the normal position, the spool piston closes the orifice completely.
-
Image II: Valve with incomplete overlap. The offset of the opening degree is positive. When the valve is in normal position, the spool piston partially closes the orifice.
-
Image III: Overlapped valve. The opening degree offset is negative. The spool piston closes the orifice completely, not only in normal position, but also in a small area of spool movement around the orifice.
Leakage rate
The leakage rate ensures that no section of the fluid network is isolated. Isolated sections of fluid can reduce the numerical stability of the model, slow down the simulation speed and, in some cases, cause the simulation to fail. The Leakage flow fraction parameter represents the leakage area as a small number greater than zero.
Composite structure.
This block is a composite component consisting of a single block Orifice (G), connected between ports A, B and S. For more information on valve parameterization and calculations, see Orifice (G).
Valve parameterization
The behaviour of the block depends on the Valve parametrization parameter:
-
Cv flow coefficient
- flow coefficient determines the dependence of flow capacity on pressure drop [2], [3]. -
Kv flow coefficient
- flow coefficient determines the dependence of flow capacity on pressure drop, [2], [3]. -
Sonic conductance
- steady-state acoustic conductance defines the flow capacity at critical flow, the condition at which the flow velocity is equal to the local speed of sound. The flow becomes critical when the ratio of outlet pressure to inlet pressure reaches a value called the critical pressure ratio [1]. -
Orifice area
- the orifice area determines the flow capacity [4].
Orifice characteristic
The flow characteristic relates the valve orifice to the inlet value, which is often the spool stroke. The block calculates the orifice via acoustic conductivity, flow coefficient or orifice cross-sectional area, depending on the setting of the Valve parameterization. The control input is the degree of orifice opening, which is a function of the spool travel set at the S port.
The flow characteristic is normally given in steady state mode, when the inlet pressure is constant, carefully controlled. The flow characteristic depends on the valve alone and can be linear or non-linear. To select the flow characteristic, use the Opening characteristic parameter:
-
Linear' - the flow rate is a linear function of the degree of orifice opening. As the opening degree increases from `0
to1
, the flow rate increases from the specified minimum to the specified maximum. -
`Tabulated' - throughput is a general function that can be linear or non-linear with the degree of opening of the orifice. The function is tabulated, with the independent variable specified by the Opening fraction vector parameter.
Numerical smoothing
When Opening characteristic is set to Linear
and Smoothing factor is set to a non-zero value, numerical smoothing is applied to the opening degree. Smoothing helps to maintain the numerical stability of the simulation.
Assumptions and limitations
-
The
Sonic conductance
value of the Valve parameterization parameter is intended for pneumatic systems. If this parameterization is used for gases other than air, it may be necessary to correct the acoustic conductance value by the square root of the specific gravity. -
The equation for the `Orifice area' parameterization has less accuracy for gases that are far from ideal.
-
This block does not model supersonic flow.
Ports
Conserving
#
A
—
gas inlet or outlet
gas
Details
Non-directional port, corresponds to flow in or flow out.
Program usage name |
|
#
B
—
gas inlet or outlet
gas
Details
Non-directional port, corresponds to flow in or flow out.
Program usage name |
|
Input
#
S
—
control signal
scalar
Details
The instantaneous movement of the actuating element relative to its normal non-operating position, specified as a scalar. The unit normalises the displacement relative to the maximum position of the actuating element required to fully open the hole. The scalar has no unit of measurement and its instantaneous value is normally in the range from 0
to 1
.
Data types |
|
Complex numbers support |
No |
Parameters
Parameters
#
Valve parameterization —
method of specifying the flow characteristic through the orifice
Cv flow coefficient
| Kv flow coefficient
| Sonic conductance
| Orifice area
Details
The method of mass flow calculation is based on:
-
Cv flow coefficient
- flow coefficient . -
Kv flow coefficient
- flow coefficient , which is defined as . -
Sonic conductance
- steady-state acoustic conductance. -
Orifice area
- orifice area.
Values |
|
Default value |
|
Program usage name |
|
Evaluatable |
No |
#
Opening characteristic —
method for calculating valve opening characteristics
Linear
| Tabulated
Details
The method that the unit uses to calculate the valve opening area:
-
`Linear' - the opening area is a linear function of the degree of opening of the orifice.
-
Tabulated
- a general non-linear relationship that is specified in tabular form.
Values |
|
Default value |
|
Program usage name |
|
Evaluatable |
No |
# Maximum Cv flow coefficient — flow coefficient corresponding to the maximum orifice area
Details
Flow coefficient value , when the orifice cross-sectional area is maximum.
Dependencies
To use this parameter, set the Orifice parameterization parameter to Cv flow coefficient
and the Opening characteristic parameter to Linear
.
Default value |
|
Program usage name |
|
Evaluatable |
Yes |
# Opening fraction vector — values of the control signal for the opening degree
Details
The vector of control signal values at which the capacity measure Cv coefficient vector is set. The control signal value is equal to the opening degree only in the range from 0
to 1
.
The values must be specified in ascending order. The dimensionality of the vector corresponds to the dimensionality of the Cv coefficient vector.
Dependencies
To use this parameter, set the Opening characteristic parameter to Tabulated
and the Orifice parameterization parameter to Cv flow coefficient
.
Default value |
|
Program usage name |
|
Evaluatable |
Yes |
# Cv flow coefficient vector — vector of flow coefficient values
Details
Vector of flow coefficients . The values must be specified in ascending order. The dimensionality of the vector corresponds to that of the Opening fraction vector.
Dependencies
To use this parameter, set the Opening characteristic parameter to `Tabulated' and the Orifice parameterization parameter to `Cv flow coefficient'.
Default value |
|
Program usage name |
|
Evaluatable |
Yes |
# xT pressure differential ratio factor at choked flow — critical differential pressure ratio
Details
The ratio between the inlet pressure and the outlet pressure , defined as , at which the flow becomes critical. If this value is not known, it can be found in Table 2 in ISA-75.01.01 [3].
By default the value 0.7
is suitable for many valves.
Dependencies
To use this parameter, set the Orifice parameterization parameter to Cv flow coefficient
.
Default value |
|
Program usage name |
|
Evaluatable |
Yes |
# Maximum Kv flow coefficient — flow coefficient corresponding to the maximum orifice area
Details
The value of the flow coefficient is , when the value of the control signal at port L is 1
and the orifice area is maximum.
Dependencies
To use this parameter, set the Orifice parameterization parameter to Kv flow coefficient
and the Opening characteristic parameter to Linear
.
Default value |
|
Program usage name |
|
Evaluatable |
Yes |
# Opening fraction vector — values of the control signal for the opening degree
Details
The vector of control signal values at which the capacity measure Kv coefficient vector is set. The control signal value is equal to the opening degree only in the range from 0
to 1
.
The values must be specified in ascending order. The dimensionality of the vector corresponds to the dimensionality of the Kv coefficient vector.
Dependencies
To use this parameter, set the Opening characteristic parameter to Tabulated
and the Orifice parameterization parameter to Kv flow coefficient
.
Default value |
|
Program usage name |
|
Evaluatable |
Yes |
# Kv flow coefficient vector — vector of flow coefficient values
Details
Vector of flow coefficients . The values must be specified in ascending order. The dimensionality of the vector corresponds to that of the Opening fraction vector.
Dependencies
To use this parameter, set the Opening characteristic parameter to `Tabulated' and the Orifice parameterization parameter to `Kv flow coefficient'.
Default value |
|
Program usage name |
|
Evaluatable |
Yes |
# xT pressure differential ratio factor at choked flow — critical differential pressure ratio
Details
The ratio between the inlet pressure and the outlet pressure , defined as , at which the flow becomes critical. If this value is not known, it can be found in Table 2 in ISA-75.01.01 [3].
By default the value 0.7
is suitable for many valves.
Dependencies
To use this parameter, set the Orifice parameterization parameter to Kv flow coefficient
.
Default value |
|
Program usage name |
|
Evaluatable |
Yes |
#
Maximum sonic conductance —
acoustic conductivity corresponding to the maximum aperture area
l/(bar*s)
| gal/(min*psi)
| m^3/(Pa*s)
Details
The value of acoustic conductivity when the value of the control signal on the L port is 1
and the orifice cross-sectional area is maximised.
Dependencies
To use this parameter, set the Orifice parameterization parameter to `Sonic conductance' and the Opening characteristic parameter to `Linear'.
Values |
|
Default value |
|
Program usage name |
|
Evaluatable |
Yes |
# Critical pressure ratio — critical pressure ratio
Details
The ratio of pressures at which the flow becomes critical and the flow velocity reaches a maximum determined by the local speed of sound. The ratio between the outlet pressure and the inlet pressure : .
Dependencies
To use this parameter, set the Orifice parameterization parameter to Sonic conductance
and the Opening characteristic parameter to Linear
.
Default value |
|
Program usage name |
|
Evaluatable |
Yes |
# Opening fraction vector — values of the control signal for the opening degree
Details
The vector of control signal values at which the throughput measure Sonic conductance vector is set. The control signal value is equal to the opening degree only in the range from 0
to 1
.
The values must be specified in ascending order. The dimensionality of the vector corresponds to the dimensionality of the Sonic conductance vector.
Dependencies
To use this parameter, set the Opening characteristic parameter to Tabulated
and the Orifice parameterization parameter to Sonic conductance
.
Default value |
|
Program usage name |
|
Evaluatable |
Yes |
#
Sonic conductance vector —
vector of acoustic conductivity values
l/(bar*s)
| gal/(min*psi)
| m^3/(Pa*s)
Details
Vector of acoustic conductivity values. The values should be specified in ascending order. The dimensionality of the vector corresponds to the Opening fraction vector.
Dependencies
To use this parameter, set the Orifice parameterization parameter to `Sonic conductance' and the Opening characteristic parameter to `Tabulated'.
Values |
|
Default value |
|
Program usage name |
|
Evaluatable |
Yes |
# Critical pressure ratio vector — vector of critical pressure ratio values
Details
Vector of critical pressure ratios. The critical pressure ratio is the ratio of the outlet pressure to the inlet pressure at which the flow becomes critical and the flow velocity reaches a maximum determined by the local speed of sound. The dimensionality of the vector corresponds to that of the Opening fraction vector.
Dependencies
To use this parameter, set the Orifice parameterization parameter to `Sonic conductance' and the Opening characteristic parameter to `Tabulated'.
Default value |
|
Program usage name |
|
Evaluatable |
Yes |
# Subsonic index — degree value used to calculate the mass flow rate in subsonic flow regime
Details
An empirical value used to more accurately calculate the mass flow rate in subsonic flow regime.
Dependencies
To use this parameter, set the Orifice parameterization parameter to `Sonic conductance'.
Default value |
|
Program usage name |
|
Evaluatable |
Yes |
#
ISO reference temperature —
reference temperature according to ISO 8778
K
| degC
| degF
| degR
| deltaK
| deltadegC
| deltadegF
| deltadegR
Details
The temperature in the standard reference atmosphere in ISO 8778.
The values of the ISO reference parameters only need to be adjusted if acoustic conductivity values obtained with different reference values are used.
Dependencies
To use this parameter, set the Orifice parameterization parameter to `Sonic conductance'.
Values |
|
Default value |
|
Program usage name |
|
Evaluatable |
Yes |
#
ISO reference density —
reference density according to ISO 8778
g/cm^3
| kg/m^3
| lbm/gal
Details
Density in a standard reference atmosphere in ISO 8778.
The values of the ISO reference parameters need only be adjusted if acoustic conductivity values obtained with different reference values are used.
Dependencies
To use this parameter, set the Orifice parameterization parameter to `Sonic conductance'.
Values |
|
Default value |
|
Program usage name |
|
Evaluatable |
Yes |
#
Maximum orifice area —
flow cross-sectional area corresponding to the maximum orifice area
m^2
| cm^2
| ft^2
| in^2
| km^2
| mi^2
| mm^2
| um^2
| yd^2
Details
Maximum flow area when the value of the control signal at port L is 1
.
Dependencies
To use this parameter, set the Orifice parameterization parameter to `Orifice area' and the Opening characteristic parameter to `Linear'.
Values |
|
Default value |
|
Program usage name |
|
Evaluatable |
Yes |
# Opening fraction vector — values of the control signal for the opening degree
Details
The vector of control signal values at which the capacity measure Orifice area vector is set. The control signal value is equal to the opening degree only in the range from 0
to 1
.
The values must be specified in ascending order. The dimensionality of the vector corresponds to the dimensionality of the Orifice area vector.
Dependencies
To use this parameter, set the Opening characteristic parameter to Tabulated
and the Orifice parameterization parameter to Orifice area
.
Default value |
|
Program usage name |
|
Evaluatable |
Yes |
#
Orifice area vector —
vector of hole area values
m^2
| cm^2
| ft^2
| in^2
| km^2
| mi^2
| mm^2
| um^2
| yd^2
Details
Vector of the areas of the hole cross-section. The dimensionality of the vector corresponds to the Opening fraction vector. The first element of this vector is the leakage area and the last element is the maximum orifice area.
Dependencies
To use this parameter, set the Orifice parameterization parameter to `Orifice area' and the Opening characteristic parameter to `Tabulated'.
Values |
|
Default value |
|
Program usage name |
|
Evaluatable |
Yes |
# Discharge coefficient — flow coefficient
Details
The correction factor is the ratio of the actual mass flow rate to the theoretical mass flow rate.
Dependencies
To use this parameter, set the Orifice parameterization parameter to Orifice area
.
Default value |
|
Program usage name |
|
Evaluatable |
Yes |
# Leakage flow fraction — cost ratio
Details
The ratio of the flow rate through a closed orifice to that through an open orifice.
Dependencies
To use this parameter, set the Orifice parameterization parameter to Orifice area
.
Default value |
|
Program usage name |
|
Evaluatable |
Yes |
# Smoothing factor — numerical smoothing factor
Details
A continuous smoothing factor that ensures smooth opening by correcting the orifice characteristic in the nearly open and nearly closed positions.
Dependencies
To use this parameter, set Opening characteristic to `Linear'.
Default value |
|
Program usage name |
|
Evaluatable |
Yes |
# Valve opening fraction offset — Valve opening degree at zero offset signal
Details
Valve opening degree when the value of input signal S is zero. In this case the valve is in the normal position. The opening degree measures the distance between the edge of the spool and the valve bore, normalised to the maximum permissible distance.
Default value |
|
Program usage name |
|
Evaluatable |
Yes |
# Laminar flow pressure ratio — pressure ratio at which the flow transitions between laminar and turbulent regimes
Details
The ratio of outlet pressure to inlet pressure at which the flow transitions between laminar and turbulent flow regimes.
Typical values range from 0.995
to 0.999
.
Default value |
|
Program usage name |
|
Evaluatable |
Yes |
#
Cross-sectional area at ports A and B —
inlet or outlet area
m^2
| cm^2
| ft^2
| in^2
| km^2
| mi^2
| mm^2
| um^2
| yd^2
Details
This area is used when calculating the mass flow rate through the ports.
The ports are all the same size. The value of this parameter must match the inlet port area of the component to which the unit is connected.
Values |
|
Default value |
|
Program usage name |
|
Evaluatable |
Yes |
Literature
[1] ISO 6358-3. "Pneumatic fluid power - Determination of flow-rate characteristics of components using compressible fluids - Part 3: Method for calculating steady-state flow rate characteristics of systems". 2014.
[2] IEC 60534-2-3. "Industrial-process control valves - Part 2-3: Flow capacity - Test procedures". 2015.
[3] ANSI/ISA-75.01.01. "Industrial-Process Control Valves - Part 2-1: Flow capacity - Sizing equations for fluid flow underinstalled conditions". 2012.
[4] P. Beater. Pneumatic Drives. Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg. 2007.