Abstract

This paper evaluates the effects of cavitation upon the performance of a hydraulic, proportional, directly-operated, directional valve by means of thorough experimental and numerical investigations. The experimental campaign is performed to estimate how cavitation changes the performance curves of the valve; in particular, the experimental equipment assembled to control the cavitation phenomenon inside the proportional valve is described, and the influence of cavitation on the flow rate and the flow coefficient as a function of the spool position is assessed. In addition, a full three-dimensional mixture model of the flow field within the valve is developed to accurately predict cavitation within the flow path for several spool positions. The accuracy of the numerical model is proven by previous experiences and by comparing the numerical results with the experimental data. After their validation, the numerical predictions are employed to analyse the characteristics of cavitation that cannot be experimentally evaluated, such as the volume of vapour, and to identify the zones where cavitation occurs. The numerical simulations are finally employed to predict how the variation in cavitation intensity influences the driving forces required to move the sliding spool and to calculate the minimum cavitation number for which the effects of cavitation are negligible.

Autore Pugliese

• Amirante Riccardo , Tamburrano Paolo

Tutti gli autori

• Amirante R , Distaso E , Tamburrano P

Titolo volume/Rivista

ENERGY CONVERSION AND MANAGEMENT

Anno di pubblicazione

2014

ISSN

0196-8904

ISBN

Non Disponibile

Numero di citazioni Wos

Nessuna citazione

Ultimo Aggiornamento Citazioni

Non Disponibile

Numero di citazioni Scopus

23

Ultimo Aggiornamento Citazioni

2017-04-25 03:21:06

Settori ERC

Non Disponibile

Codici ASJC

Non Disponibile