ABOUT THE USE OF DIGITAL HYDRAULIC VALVES IN INDUSTRY

The article discusses digital hydraulic valves, which are an innovative alternative to traditional proportional analog valves. Digital hydraulics utilize a combination of simple, reliable, and inexpensive ON/OFF type valves, offering high precision in flow and pressure control through programmable logic controllers. The main advantage of such systems is the reduction in energy consumption, as they eliminate the need for constant pump operation and have no internal leakage. The article highlights the economic benefits of digital valves, including lower initial investments due to their lower cost compared to proportional counterparts. Importantly, if one valve fails, the system remains operational, as the failure of individual components does not critically affect overall performance. Special attention is given to coding schemes and control methods, particularly binary coding and pulse number modulation. Binary coding allows for significantly improved regulation accuracy with a minimal number of valves and ensures system fault tolerance. The use of parallel-connected valves, which offer a wide range of states, allows precise control of flows and pressures without the need for switching after the desired positions are set. Additionally, digital hydraulic systems provide fast response times and precise control, making them effective for various industrial applications. Further research in this area could lead to the development of new technological solutions and broader implementation in the industry. The article also covers the technical aspects of such systems, particularly pulse-width modulation, the most common approach to controlling two-way valves. PWM achieves high regulation accuracy through frequency modulation, although low switching frequencies may cause pressure pulsations, which must be compensated through specialized system design or damping devices. In conclusion, digital hydraulic valves represent a promising solution for increasing the efficiency and reliability of hydraulic systems in modern industries, with the potential for significant reductions in energy consumption and operational costs.