Abstract
In micro-scale high-speed switching ball valve systems, the synergistic effects of substantial flow rates and elevated response frequencies amplify the hydraulic loading on the valve spool, consequently impeding its kinematic performance. This establishes hydraulic force analysis and compensation as pivotal elements in optimizing the operational characteristics of high-frequency ball valves. Confronting the inadequacy of conventional steady-state hydraulic force formulations under high-frequency switching conditions characterized by complex flow field configurations, this investigation employs Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) methodology for comprehensive hydraulic force characterization. The research protocol encompasses three principal phases: Initially, a parameterized fluid domain model of the valvular flow field is constructed utilizing ANSYS Workbench platform. Subsequently, flow simulations are conducted through implementation of the standard k-ε turbulence model, enabling quantitative extraction of pressure distributions, streamline topologies, flow rate profiles, and steady-state hydraulic force characteristics across discrete valve opening positions. Ultimately, systematic structural optimization is performed through parametric analysis correlating orifice geometry with spool force dynamics, thereby determining optimal configuration parameters to mitigate hydraulic force attenuation during transitional states. Key findings demonstrate a non-monotonic relationship between inlet-side steady-state hydraulic force and valve opening displacement, exhibiting initial augmentation followed by gradual diminution. The redesigned seat geometry successfully achieves 22.6% reduction in steady-state hydraulic force (0.05 mm opening condition) relative to baseline configuration, confirming effective compensation for transitional force attenuation. This optimization strategy provides critical insights for enhancing the dynamic response and operational stability of micro-scale high-speed fluid control systems.
Get full access to this article
View all access options for this article.
References
Supplementary Material
Please find the following supplemental material available below.
For Open Access articles published under a Creative Commons License, all supplemental material carries the same license as the article it is associated with.
For non-Open Access articles published, all supplemental material carries a non-exclusive license, and permission requests for re-use of supplemental material or any part of supplemental material shall be sent directly to the copyright owner as specified in the copyright notice associated with the article.
